Now you can make restaurant-quality french fries in your very own kitchen! If you don't have deep-fryer, simply get a large sturdy pot (a Dutch oven works well) and add a couple inches of oil and use a candy thermometer to maintain the correct temperatue. And then fry in 2 stages!
Deep fryer, or heavy pot (ie, Dutch oven) with high-temperature thermometer
Ingredients
4largepotatoeslarge or medium sized
Peanut oilor vegetable or canola, enough to fill 3-inches of vessel
Kosher salt
Instructions
Wash and dry the potatoes and then using a mandolin, or a large knife, cut (julienne) into 3/8-inch strips.
Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes.
Remove the potatoes and dry completely with a towel.
Heat the oil to 330°F.
Using a fry basket, or a metal spatula, carefully lower the cut potatoes into the oil and fry for 2 minutes. You will probably need to do this in batches.
Increase the oil temperature to 365°F. Fry the partially cooked potatoes again until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully remove the fries with a fry basket or spatula and shake off excess oil, turn the fries onto a plate lined with paper towels. Fry the remaining fries following the same process.
Sprinkle with salt and serve at once.
Video
Notes
If you do not have a deep fryer, heat the oil in a large Dutch oven (or heavy pot) using a candy thermometer to maintain the correct temperature.The first round of frying of the potatoes can be done up to several hours before serving. You will want to serve the fries after the 2nd fry immediately.You can use vegetable oil, shortening, or canola oil in place of peanut oil. Although, we recommend peanut oil for best results. Do NOT use olive oil.Soak the uncooked potatoes for 30 minutes in an ice bath. They can soak longer, but you'll need to keep them in the fridge while they soak. Don't soak for longer than 3 hours.