Shoestring Fries Recipes

SHOE STRING FRIES

Steps:

• Heat about 2-inches of oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 365 degrees F. Line a pan with paper towels.
• While the oil heats slice the potatoes into shoestring fries with the thin julienne attachment of a hand-held mandolin or vegetable slicer. Swish the cut potatoes in a bowl of tepid water, and then spin them as dry as possible in a salad spinner. Spread them on towels, and blot with more towels-you want the potatoes bone dry so that they don't spatter in the hot oil.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, and working in batches, carefully add the potatoes to the oil and fry until brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Scoop the fries from the oil with a slotted spoon, and drain on the prepared pan. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes, making sure the oil returns to 365 degrees F. before adding each batch. Season with salt and serve.
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SHOESTRING FRIES WITH TRUFFLE AIOLI

Steps:

• Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees F.
• Carefully cut the potatoes into shoestrings (or matchsticks) using a mandolin fitted with the narrowest julienne blade (about 1/8-inch wide). Rinse the cut potatoes thoroughly in a bowl of cold water to remove the surface starch. Keep the potatoes in water until you're ready to fry.
• For the aioli: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, truffle oil, garlic, lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Refrigerate or set aside until ready to use.
• Transfer the potatoes to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and pat them dry, as dry as you can get them. I like to use a kitchen towel for this too; whatever gets them the driest.
• Fry the shoestrings in batches until the potatoes are crisp and turn a nice golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. As each batch of fries comes out, transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with some of the chopped herbs, a drizzle of the truffle oil and salt to taste. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Serve with the truffle aioli.

SHOESTRING ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Halve zucchini crosswise, then cut each half lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide slices and cut slices lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick strips. Toss with salt in a large medium-mesh sieve set over a bowl and drain 30 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of zucchini to remove moisture, then roll up in a triple layer of paper towels and squeeze to remove remaining moisture.
• Cook garlic in oil in a 7- to 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Discard garlic.
• While garlic is cooking, toss zucchini with flour in a small bowl, then add to oil and fry, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon, until zucchini is golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer zucchini to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately.

SHOESTRING "FRIES"

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F
• Spray a non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray, set aside.
• Scrub potatoes, pat dry.
• Cut into lengthwise strips about 3/8in thick.
• Place in a large bowl and add oil, salt and pepper, toss to coat.
• Place potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until undersides are browned, about 10 minutes.
• Using a spatula, turn potatoes and bake until golden brown, about 10 mins more.

OVEN-BAKED SHOESTRING FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray; set aside. Toss together potatoes, oil, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheets.
• Bake, turning potatoes with a metal spatula 2 or 3 times and rotating sheets halfway through, until potatoes are crisp and edges turn golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Arrange potatoes on a large piece of parchment paper; let cool 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake, turning potatoes with a metal spatula a few times and rotating sheets halfway through, until crisp and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a large piece of parchment paper; let cool 5 minutes, then season with salt and pepper, and serve.

ROSEMARY SHOESTRING FRIES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and slice lengthwise into 1/8-inch planks, then cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch juliennes (or use a Japanese mandoline fitted with the julienne blade). Immediately submerge in a bowl of cool water; let stand 10 minutes. Drain; lightly press potatoes between paper towels or clean kitchen towels to dry completely.
• Fill a heavy pot with about 1 1/2 inches oil (it should come no more than a third of the way up sides of pot). Heat over medium-high until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 365 degrees.
• Carefully add rosemary sprigs to oil and immediately cover pot with a splatter screen or lid for a few seconds to prevent splattering; remove screen when popping sounds subside. Fry until darkened slightly and bubbles surrounding sprigs begin to subside, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined tray; season with salt.
• Return oil to 365 degrees and fry potatoes, a handful at a time, until crisp and just beginning to turn golden, about 2 minutes per batch (returning oil to 365 degrees between each batch). Transfer to paper towels; season with salt. Toss fries with rosemary to combine; serve.

BAKED SWEET POTATO SHOESTRING FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thick.
• Remove from heat; let cool.
• Combine juice mixture and potatoes in a large bowl; toss well.
• Remove potatoes from bowl; discard juice mixture.
• Arrange potato strips in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until edges are crisp.