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–+ servings
Taking fries from the fryer

Crispy Homemade French Fry Recipe

From “Steak Frites” in The Cook’s Illustrated Meat Book
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American, European
Servings 6

Equipment

TimeStick Timer
TimeStick
Red ChefAlarm
ChefAlarm

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ lb russet potatoes
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 qt peanut oil
  • Salt for seasoning

Instructions
 

  • Square off the sides of the potatoes, then cut them into ¼” sticks.
  • Note: Cutting the potatoes to a ¼” cross-section results in an optimal crust-to-filling ratio in our finished fries.
  • Put the cut potatoes in a bowl with lots of cold water to soak for 30 minutes, agitating them from time to time. We used a TimeStick® to monitor the time.
  • While you wait, prepare a rimmed cookie sheet with brown paper of a triple layer of paper towels.
  • Drain the potatoes and dry them as well as you can.
    Drying the potatoes
  • Toss with cornstarch to coat and place on a wire rack until the starch dries out and forms a white film over the potatoes (~20 min).
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot.
  • Use a pot-clip to attach your ChefAlarm probe to the side of the pot and set the high alarm for 325°F (163°C).
    Fryer setup with ChefAlarm
  • When the fries are dried and the oil is at temp, carefully put the potatoes in the oil by handfuls, cooking about half the batch at a time.
  • Turn the heat to high. (Adding the fries will decrease the oil temperature by nearly 75°F (42°C). Adding too many at a time will reduce the heat even more and necessitate an even longer recovery period. This can lead to oil-soaked fries. Take the time to do it in batches.)
  • Cook the french fries for 4-5 minutes (keep track on your TimeStick), or until they start to turn blond. Remove from the oil and transfer them to a prepared cookie sheet.
  • Bring the oil back up to 325°F (163°C) and cook the remaining potatoes in the same way.
  • Let the potatoes rest at least 10 minutes while you bring the oil up to 375°F (191°C). Be sure to set the new target temperature on your ChefAlarm.
  • Once the oil is at temp, put the french fries in the oil, again by handfuls, and again only about half of them.
  • Give them a stir, and cook until they are golden brown, crispy and delicious—about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer to clean brown paper or paper towels.
  • Salt immediately and enjoy!
Keyword Deep fried, make it at home, party food
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