I made Pommes Frites today. The turnout was fantastic.
I signed up for a bi-weekly organic produce delivery program called Door-To-Door Organics. Last week I got three russet potatoes in the box and thought, "Man, I don't know the last time I ate a russet potato." It has been Yukon Gold and Red potatoes since my interest in great cooking began a few years ago.
I consulted the almighty internet for recipes that excluded the only dish I know with russets, the baked potato. I stumbled onto Pommes Frites, which is simply French Fries. "Simply" is an understatement.
What to do..
Scrub 3 large russet potatoes,
Quarter each one length-wise,
Sliced each quarter into 1/4 inch pieces and then cut 1/4 inch strips from each stack of slices,
Rinse and soak in cold water for 30 minutes (drain the water at least three times until clear in the 30 minutes),
Soak in clear, cold water for one hour,
Lay out on paper towels to air dry (about another hour),
Heat thick deep skillet (like a cast iron fryer) with 1-2 inches of vegetable or peanut oil (if you have a thermometer heat to 320 degrees, if not set to medium low heat and test oil with a small piece of potato after 5-10 minutes)
Fry Round 1:
Cook in batches until cooked through (about 4-5 minutes)
Fry Round 2:
Heat oil up to 360-370 degrees (or medium high with no thermometer)
Cook in batches until golden brown,
Lay out on a cookie sheet lined with paper towel and salt liberally with kosher salt or sea salt.
Serve with fancy dipping sauces or just good ol' ketchup
Now I know... frying, and fried foods, in general are not recommended in large quantities when one is focusing on overall health goals, but... when I am in control of the serving size and the ingredients, and the amount of time the oil is drained off of the fries, I know I am "indulging" in the best possible way.
I'm on the tail end of an insanely inopportune bout of the Chicken Pox. I thought myself lucky to have never endured this as a kid. I even thought I might be magically immune. I wish that I had gotten this over with while still young and missing school was my only worry. I am very lucky that my boss has endured this (and it's sister virus Shingles) and is so understanding about the whole thing. My doctor won't let me return to work yet as I am still contagious, but I'm on my 6th day off work and 9th day being sick and I have lost all patience. The novelty of daytime TV and sleeping in wore off by day 4. So I have had a lot of time to think...
I've got a new goal... and a new way to get there...
If I ever mention another fad diet, shakes, drops, teas, beads taped behind my ears, or anything wacky please verbally abuse me into shamefully laying whatever new garbage they invent aside and get my focus back on long-term health habits.
Today I weigh 223.4 lbs
My goal is 158 lbs
My new way to get there is not new, it's mad old, but It's new of me to accept it. There is no time limit, there is no diet, there is no schedule... I will be healthier every day. I will make wise choices with everything I eat and do. I will log my progress here and will begin logging photographs each month as I progress.
But first... I gotta kick these damn Chicken Pox.
