Tips and Tricks #2

Who doesn’t like crispy potato fry or French fries or even potato fries for chaats and accompaniments? But whenever we try to do them at home, they tend to become soft and soggy after a few minutes. So, what is the solution? How to make them crispy such that they stay crunchy for a longer time. Read on for the tip and trick to do just that.

The trick

The trick to getting a crispy potato fry is very simple. Just use cornflour. But how? That’s the question. Will it not give a coating on the potatoes? The answer is “No”. Cornflour, when mixed with liquid and used as a batter then it gives a coating on the dipped element. When it is lightly dusted and deep-fried, it doesn’t coat. Instead, it makes your fries crispier and they stay crispy for a longer time.

Now, coming to potatoes… they have starch. That is one reason why potatoes tend to go blackish when cut and left with air contact. It is common in all homes to soak potatoes in water as soon as they are cut. Now, you know the reason for the same. You might not necessarily soak them if you are cooking them at once and they are a part of a curry. But, when you are deep frying, you need to soak them. That is absolutely necessary. Not only that. Once you have finished cutting them, you need to wash and clean the potatoes very nicely and remove the extra starch.

Home made French Fries

1. Cut the potatoes into long strips. Almost 1cm*1cm size
2. Wash the pieces very well and clear the extra starch
3. We need to blanch them. For that, we take very hot water and drop in the potatoes with some salt. Let it boil for 3 – 4 minutes.
4. Remove from hot water and immediately pour cold water to cool the potatoes and stop them from getting overcooked.
5. Pat them dry in a Kitchen towel
6. Dust some cornflour over this and toss them so that they get lightly coated.
7. Heat oil for deep frying.
8. While dropping them in the oil, dust off the excess cornflour as this might spoil your oil.
9. Cook over medium-high flame till cooked.
10. Your crispy French Fries are ready!!

Potato Fries for chaats etc

1. Cut the potatoes as you desire
2. Wash away the excess starch
3. Soak in water with salt so that it takes in whatever it needs.
4. Pat dry with a kitchen towel
5. Dust cornflour and toss them so that they get evenly coated.
6. Heat oil for deep frying.
7. While dropping them in the oil, dust off the excess cornflour as this might spoil your oil.
8. Cook over medium-high flame till cooked.
9. Your crispy potatoes are ready!!
10. Drizzle whatever masala you want to flavour them with

So, what are you waiting for? Go! Make some fries! Enjoy!!