Cold Fry Frites Recipes

EASY FRITES

Steps:

• Wash and peel the potatoes, and with a French-fry cutter or a kitchen knife, cut them into long strips with a square cross section about 3/8-inch on a side. Wash them briefly under cold water and dry with a cloth. Put them into a pan about 10 inches in diameter with sides at least 4 inches high. Just cover with peanut oil.
• Place the pan over the highest heat. When the oil has exceeded 200 degrees, it will begin to bubble, first softly and then furiously, and by the time it reaches 350 degrees, the potatoes will be a deep golden brown and ready to eat. (Make sure the temperature never exceeds 370 degrees.)
• Taste one or two. Drain and blot with paper towels. Salt the frites just before serving. Eat with strong Dijon mustard.

"COLD-FRY" FRITES

Steps:

• Rinse the potatoes, peel them, rinse again, and cut lengthwise into 3/8-inch (10 mm) fries. (Precision is not essential here: I love the tiny, crunchy, almost-burned bits that emerge from the fryer.)
• Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes, changing the water when it becomes cloudy (at least twice), until the water remains clear. (Soaking releases the starch in potatoes, making them less rigid and less likely to stick together while cooking.)
• Drain the potatoes and wrap them in the kitchen towels to dry. (Removing the excess liquid will speed up the cooking time and reduce the likelihood of the potatoes splattering once the oil is hot.)
• Transfer the potatoes to the saucepan and set it over the stove. Pour the oil over the potatoes. Do not cover the pot. Set the heat to high, stirring the potatoes gently with a metal spoon to distribute and prevent sticking. (A metal spoon lets you feel if any potato bits are stuck to the bottom of the pan and scrape them up.)
• The oil should move from a peppy simmer to a boil in about 9 minutes. When the oil starts to boil, set a timer for 17 minutes. Stir the potatoes very gently every 3 to 4 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Don't worry about overboiling-the oil should boil rapidly and evenly with no need to adjust the heat throughout the entire process.
• When the timer rings, the potatoes should have begun to take on color, turning from white to slightly golden, but will still have about 4 minutes remaining until they are fully cooked. For these last few minutes, watch them closely, stirring gently. When the fries are a deep golden brown, taste one to make sure they are truly crisp and firm on the outside with a creamy interior. They should not be the least bit soggy, so resist the urge to remove them from the oil too soon. When you are happy with the consistency, carefully transfer the rest of the fries with the wire skimmer or slotted spoon to the paper-towel-lined trays to drain. Season with salt and serve immediately on the warmed platter.
• Tips
• Use firm, fresh potatoes. Rinse and soak them well to rid them of starch. The less starch in the potatoes, the crispier the fries will be.
• To keep the oil well contained in the pot, make sure there is at least 2 inches (5 cm) of room from the top of the oil to the rim of the pot.
• We have made these fries in varied quantities with proportionate quantities of oil and pot size:1 pound (500 g) potatoes/1 1/2 quarts (1.5 l) oil/4-quart (4 l) pot 2 pounds (1 kg) potatoes/2 1/2 quarts (2.5 l) oil/5- to 7-quart (5 to 7 l) pot 3 pounds (1.5 kg) potatoes/3 quarts (3 l) oil/7-quart (7 l) pot 4 pounds (2 kg) potatoes/4 quarts (4 l) oil/8- to 9-quart (8 to 9 l) pot
• Do not use an aluminum pot; it will not hold the heat in the same manner as a heavy cast-iron or stainless steel pot, and the results may not be satisfactory.
• After frying, let the oil cool and strain it through cheesecloth into the original containers. Store in the refrigerator and reuse up to five times. Mark the bottles as to number of uses and sniff the oil before reusing; if there is any scent of rancidity, toss. Each time the oil is reused, add about 1 cup (250 ml) fresh, new oil to the mix.

CLASSIC FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• In a large dutch oven heat oil to 320 degrees.
• Peel potatoes and EVENLY cut fries into 1/4" x 1/4" strips of equal length.
• Place in a large bowl of cold water as you're slicing.
• Drain potatoes thoroughly, removing any excess water.
• When oil reaches 320 degrees, submerge the potatoes in the oil.
• Working in small batches, fry for 2 to 3 minutes until they are pale and floppy.
• Remove from oil, drain, and cool to room temperature.
• Increase the temperature of the oil to 375 degrees.
• Re-immerse fries and cook until crisp and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove and drain on roasting rack.
• Season with kosher salt.
• Once again this is done is small batches and will need to be kept warm in the oven until all potatoes are fried.

EASIER FRENCH FRIES - COLD OIL METHOD (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• Combine potatoes and oil in large Dutch oven. Cook over high heat until oil has reached a rolling boil, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook, without stirring, until potatoes are limp but exteriors are beginning to firm, about 12-15 minutes.
• Using tongs, stir potatoes, gently scraping up any that stick, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, 5-10 minutes longer.
• Using skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer fries to thick paper bag or paper towels. Season with salt and serve immediately.

FRITES (FRENCH FRIES)

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large bowl of cold water. Change the water repeatedly to remove the potato starch until the water remains clear. (Potatoes can be prepared a few hours ahead to this point and set aside at room temperature in a bowl covered with cold water. Drain before cooking.) Dry the potatoes well in a lettuce spinner and with a clean bath towel.
• Line two large baking sheets with paper towels. Heat oil to 350 degrees in a wok or large pot. Fry potatoes in small batches without crowding until completely cooked, but barely colored, turning occasionally. Transfer to the prepared sheets in a single layer using a slotted spoon. (Potatoes can be prepared a few hours ahead to this point and set aside at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line another baking sheet with paper towels. Reheat oil to 350 degrees. Fry potatoes again in small batches until crisp and golden brown, turning occasionally. Transfer cooked potatoes to the prepared sheet using a slotted spoon, and keep them warm in the oven while cooking the remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Working quickly, remove the fries from the cold water, and drain off as much water as you can without breaking the fries. Discard the water, and place the fries in a large, wide, heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with 2 1/2 quarts of clean, cold water, and add the vinegar. Bring to a low boil for 6 minutes. The fries should be cooked through but not falling apart. Remove the fries with a slotted spoon or spider onto a baking sheet fitted with a paper-towel-lined rack. Cool and dry the potatoes on the rack.
• Once the potatoes are cool and dry, prepare your deep fryer. Heat the 3 quarts of canola oil in a large Dutch oven (at least a 5 quart). Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the fryer, and heat until the gauge reads 395. Working in three batches, add the fries to the oil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the fries and place on another baking sheet fitted with a paper-towel-lined rack. Repeat with the rest of the fries until all of them have been blanched in the oil for 1 1/2 minutes.
• Let the fries cool and dry on the rack for 1 hour, and then gently place them in a large, plastic food-storage container, being careful not to break the fries. Cover, and freeze overnight. Cool, strain and reserve the canola oil.
• The following day, reheat the reserved canola oil in the Dutch oven. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the fryer, and heat the oil until the gauge reads 395. Working in three batches, add the fries to the oil, and cook until the fries are light golden in color, about 4 minutes. Agitate the fries with a slotted spoon or spider during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Adding the fries will have lowered the temperature of your fryer but adjust as needed in order to maintain 375. (It is better for your fryer to be below 375 rather than over it.)
• Remove the fries from the oil into a metal bowl lined with paper towels. Season all over with kosher salt, and serve at once.