Perfectly Crispy French Fries

This is the 11th entry for the Food Inspired by People project. Every Monday for three months, I will post a dish that is inspired by a person. Today is French fries inspired by Sandy – my best friend. Out of my other 10 bffs, that is.

1st Entry: Sambal (spicy Malaysian condiment)
2nd Entry: Dry Wonton Noodles
3rd Entry: Taiwanese Chicken Rice
4th Entry: Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice)
5th Entry: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
6th Entry: Potato Egg Salad
7th Entry: Asam Laksa (Malaysian spicy sour noodles soup)
8th Entry: Braised Soy Vinegar Ribs
9th Entry: Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
10th Entry:Tamarind Prawn (Asam Prawn)

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High school was one of the sweetest times of my life. School is only awesome if you have ridiculously crazy friends. And I did. 11 of them. We were are loud and obnoxious. We call ourselves the MC gang (MC = the initial of our elementary school). Some of us knew each other since kindergarten. Out of all the crazies, Sandy and I… well, we just happen to love and hate too many of the same things.

We went through so much together.

We were always looking for ways to shine. We did school dances, choirs, choral speaking, skits and plenty Interact Club event planning.

We were the best at being the worst students. This includes homework copying, test cheating, physics class ignoring and paying attention only in biology class sex ed. sessions, involved in plenty school politics, social status up keeping, principal office visits, juniors, seniors, school clubs, nice teachers, mean teachers, gossips.. oh my heck.

We went through three major exams, sweat and teared together, hookups, breakups, boy bands, after school hang outs, mall loafing activities, meet joe black, and most importantly, McDonald fries eating.

Now that I think about it, school was stressful. To have all that I’ve listed above in our heads every single second of the day… it’s no wonder we always needed an outlet to release all that stress. McDonalds was our outlet. Class party menu? McDonalds. After school snack? McDonalds. Lunch? McDonalds. Large fries? Yes, please.

This technique of making crispy French fries is adapted from Serious Eats. It includes precooking the fries first in water and vinegar and then fried twice with freezing in between.

Cooking in water makes the fries stay golden brown when fried as well as helps the surface of the fries stay firm instead of blistering into large bubbles. The vinegar helps the fries stay intact while being cooked in water. Freezing the fries makes it fluffier when fried because moisture turns to crystals which becomes readily expelled when fried. Read in depth about the science here.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, check out my last post Vanilla Cashew Almond Butter. Freshly made in ONE minute using the Vitamix. Nothing is more heavenly than that. No waiting. No scraping. Just plenty of Yum.

To see all the delectable entries for the Food Inspired by People project, click here.

What was high school like for you? 

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Perfectly Crispy French Fries                Serves 2

what you need:

2 1/2 lb russet potatoes
2 1/2 qt water
2 1/2 tbs white vinegar
2 1/2 tbs salt
2 qt oil

directions:

1. Fill a pot with water. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch fries. Keep peeled and cut potatoes in the pot of water.

2. Add the vinegar and salt into the pot, put it to boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes. The potatoes should be tender but not falling apart. Drain and allow the potatoes to dry for 5 minutes.

3. Over high heat, heat the oil in a pot or wok to 410 F. Fry the fries in 3-4 batches. Cook for 50 seconds and drain on paper towel. You’re frying the fries at 360 F. Allow the oil to become 410 F before frying the next batch.

4. Cool the pre-fried fries for 30 minutes or freeze overnight for best results.

5. Over high heat, heat the oil in a pot or wok to 410 F. Fry the fries in batches of 3-4 for about 3 – 3 1/2 minutes or until brown to your liking. Again, you’re frying the fries at 360 F. Drain on paper towel. Season with salt. Put the fries in the oven at 200 F while the rest cooks.