Purchase french fry containers to use for parties when entertaining.
Chips, often referred to as french fries, originated about 1680 in Belgium. Residents fished the Meuse River to fortify their diets. During the winter when the river froze, potatoes were cut into fish shapes and fried in oil. President Thomas Jefferson brought the recipe back from Paris 1802, including them on a White House dinner menu as "potatoes served in a French manner," according to an article in the Christian Science Monitor. They became popular during World War I when U.S. soldiers stationed in France gobbled them up, dubbing them "french fries." Once soldiers returned home, french fries started to appear on restaurant menus in the United States.
Instructions
1. Wash the potatoes under cold, running water to remove any excess dirt. Use a potato brush to remove stubborn dirt. Additionally, if there are roots sprouting or eyes, remove them with a knife.
2. Peel potatoes with a vegetable peeler if desired. Skin can be left intact if preferred.
3. Slice potatoes into chips, cutting them into pieces 2 inches long and 1/3 inch wide.
4. Soak the chips in cold water in a large bowl covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
5. Secure the deep frying thermometer to the edge of the stock pot so the bulb is on the inside of the pot. If using a deep fryer with a built-in thermometer gauge, disregard this step.
6. Pour oil into the stock pot or fryer and heat over medium-low heat it until it reaches 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Remove your from the water and pat dry with paper towels while the oil is heating.
8. Place chips in the fry basket of your deep fryer or your wire basket that fits inside your stock pot.
9. Submerge the chips in the oil. Leave at least 1 inch of oil above the fries when cooking. Cook for five to seven minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
10. Remove the chips from the oil and spread on paper towels to help soak up the excess oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
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