Raw potatoes sliced into French fry shapes cook up amazingly quickly when cooked in hot oil. While French fries aren't a healthy treat, you can at least choose the oil -- such as organic canola oil -- you use when you cook them at home, to reduce some of the potential health risks associated with fried foods. Choose any type of potato and your favorite healthier oil to cook up French fries right in your kitchen.
Step 1.
Peel four large potatoes and use a sharp chef's knife or a mandoline to cut them into French fry shapes that are 1/4-inch thick.
Step 2.
Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat.
Step 3.
Heat the pot until the oil reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a deep fat thermometer to check the oil temperature.
Step 4.
Add the raw potato to the oil carefully and stir with a long-handled spoon to prevent the fries from sticking to each other.
Step 5.
Cook the potatoes for just three minutes, stirring constantly.
Step 6.
Remove the potatoes from the oil using a wire mesh strainer.
Step 7.
Dump the French fries onto a plate lined with paper towels and allow the potatoes to drain.
Step 8.
Increase the heat on the stove and use the thermometer to check that the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 9.
Place the French fries back in the oil and fry them for one more minute.
Step 10.
Use the strainer to remove the fries from the oil and dump them onto a plate lined with clean paper towels.
Step 11.
Sprinkle the French fries with salt to taste and serve hot.
Things You Will Need
4 large potatoes
Vegetable peeler
Sharp chef's knife or mandoline
32 oz. oil
Large pot
Deep fat thermometer
Long-handled spoon
Wire mesh strainer
Plates
Paper towels
Salt
Tip
To make extra crisp fries, soak the sliced potatoes in ice water for 30 minutes, then dry thoroughly before frying.
Warning
Be careful when putting the potatoes in the hot oil. Avoid splashing the oil on yourself to reduce risk of injury.
References
Writer Bio
Leigh Good has been writing for magazines and newspapers for more than 10 years. Her work has been published in numerous print and online publications. Good has a bachelor's degree in print journalism from Georgia State University.