Twice Cooked Rustic Fries Recipes

DOUBLE-FRIED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes on the sides, leaving the ends with the skin on. Cut the potatoes into 1/3-inch slices and then slice into 1/3-inch sticks.
• Fill a large bowl with water and soak potatoes, submerged, for at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours. This will help remove the excess starch from the potatoes and keep them from oxidizing.
• Heat a heavy stock pot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer with oil to 325 degrees F.
• Remove potatoes from the water, and pat dry to remove excess water. Add 2 handfuls of potatoes to hot oil. There should be at least 1-inch of oil above the potatoes. Par cook until potatoes are light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove potatoes, gently shaking off excess oil and let drain on rack. Repeat until all of the potatoes are par cooked.
• Raise heat of oil to 350 degrees F.
• Cook potatoes again, 2 handfuls at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from oil, shake off excess oil, and season lightly in a bowl with salt and pepper. Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.

TWICE-COOKED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Line large baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Cut 1 potato lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stack 2 to 3 potato slices at a time and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide sticks. Cook potato sticks in boiling water just until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon or tongs, transfer potato sticks to paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat cutting, blanching, and draining remaining potatoes. Pat potato sticks dry with additional paper towels. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature.
• Pour enough canola oil into heavy large pot to reach depth of 4 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pot; heat oil to 350°F. Working in batches, add potato sticks to oil and fry until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer to clean paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

CHUNKY RUSTIC-STYLE HOME FRIES

Steps:

• Warm the butter in a 10- to 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat.
• Stir in the potatoes, and when coated with a bit of butter, season them with salt and pepper and cover the skillet.
• Cook for 20 minutes, during which you should hear only a faint cooking sound.
• Uncover the potatoes and cook for 30 minutes longer, turning them at 10 minute intervals and patting them back down.
• When you turn them the first time, stir in the onion, bell peppers, and chili powder if desired.
• As the potatoes soften, pat them down more lightly, bringing as much of their surface in contact with the skillet as possible without mashing them.
• Cook the potatoes for about 20 minutes longer, turning them at 5-minute intervals.
• During the last 10 minutes, bring the heat up to medium and, if you wish, add more salt and pepper.
• The home fries are ready when the potato cubes are richly browned and clearly crisp with tender, melting centers.
• Plate them up immediately, scatter with chives if you wish, and serve.

TWICE BAKED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Spread potatoes on lightly greased jelly roll pan and bake at 375° for 15 minutes.
• Drizzle melted butter over (use more if needed to coat all of the potatoes).
• Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, then add other seasonings as desired.
• Toss together to be sure all of potatoes are coated with butter and seasonings.
• Return to oven until potatoes are crisp and tender.

TRIPLE-COOKED FRIES

Steps:

• Cut the potatoes into strips approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide and 1/2 inch thick. As you cut them, submerge them in a bowl filled with cold water to prevent oxidizing (turning color).
• Fill a stockpot with cold water, add a little salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lift the potatoes from the cold water with a slotted spoon and cook in the boiling water until fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Lift the potatoes from the water and spread out on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat the potatoes dry, replace the original layer of paper towels with dry paper towels, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a deep, heavy pot or deep-fat fryer, bring the fat to a temperature of 275°F over medium-high heat.
• Working in batches, fry the chilled potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes before lifting them from the hot oil with a slotted metal spoon and spreading on the baking sheet (no paper towels this time!). Let the oil regain its heat between batches. Chill the potatoes again for about 15 minutes.
• While the potatoes chill, raise the heat under the fat or adjust the thermostat on the fryer and heat the fat to 375°F.
• Fry the chilled potatoes again until golden brown and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes, working in batches and letting the fat regain its heat between each one. Use tongs or extra-long chopsticks to break the potatoes apart, if necessary, and turn them in the fat so that they brown evenly.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer the fries to a shallow bowl. Add the parsley and toss to mix. Season with salt and serve warm.