What is the appropriate cut for french fries?

Slice a potato in half lengthwise with a chef’s knife (long potatoes are best for fries). Lay each half cut-side down. Slice lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. Stack about half of the slices and cut lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick fries.

What are two popular cuts for french fries?

• Euro/Bistro Fries.
• Boardwalk/County Fair Fries.
• Cottage Fries.
• Crinkle-Cut Fries.
• Waffle Fries.
• Curly Fries.
• Steak/Wedge Fries. At the opposite end of the pendulum swing, steak fries are too much potato, not enough crunch.
• Matchstick/Shoestring Fries. All fried, no potato.

Why are French fries called french fries?

In winter, when the river froze, the fish-deprived villagers fried potatoes instead. It’s said that this dish was discovered by American soldiers in Belgium during World War I and, since the dominant language of southern Belgium is French, they dubbed the tasty potatoes “French” fries.

Why do you have to soak potatoes before frying?

The soaking, Mr. Nasr said, is the secret to the crisp texture of the fries. It draws out the starch, making them more rigid and less likely to stick together. The cooks fry them twice, first blanching them until slightly limp in peanut oil heated to 325 degrees, and again in 375-degree oil to crisp and brown them.

What causes soggy french fries?

Improperly cooked french fries are limp, greasy, or soggy and often over-browned. These problems all arise from the improper handling of starch and sugar when exposed to high heat.

Should you dry potatoes before frying?

Air dry on paper towels; about 10 minutes. (Make sure the potatoes are dry before frying; you can dab them off with the paper towel if necessary.) Once potatoes are thoroughly dry, fry them 300-320 degree vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large pot (a Dutch oven would work).

What are thin french fries called?

Shoestring Fries are the perfect side for sandwiches, BBQ, and so much more. We love these super-thin, deep-fried, fun potatoes. They’re crispy, customizable– and of course, delicious. Once we show you how to make Shoestring Fries, you’ll never make fries the same way again.

What is Baton cut?

Baton. Sometimes used for thick-cut French fries, batons are a stick cut about 8mm in thickness. This is the largest stick cut and the intermediate step for the medium dice. Recipes for chunky stews often call for carrots, potatoes and meat to be medium diced, which is what you get after you chop the batons into cubes.

Why do Fries hollow out when you fry them?

These contain so much water that they will actually hollow out when you fry them because the water will evaporate. Before you begin preparing the potatoes, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a tablespoon of lemon juice. As soon as you cut the fries, you’re going to transfer them to this bowl.

How do you cut fries so they don’t stick?

Square off the potato with your knife and slice it into 1/4-inch slabs. Cut each slab into 1/4-inch strips. The fries should be about 3 inches long. Transfer them to the cold water as you go. When the fries are cut, rinse them under cold water in the bowl until the water turns clear.

Why are my French fries chewy on the inside?

Those guys make it look easy — creating fries that are crispy on the outside but soft and pillowy on the inside — because they have a few tricks up their sleeves. Use the wrong potato, and the fries will turn out chewy. Choose an ill-suited fryer oil, and the potatoes can taste terrible.

Do frozen potatoes actually make better French fries?

The idea of hand-cut potatoes and never-frozen products sounds great in theory, but it turns out that frozen potatoes actually make better french fries. Lifehacker suggests buying a bag of frozen french fries if you want to make restaurant-quality, fast-food-style fries at home. Why?