Homemade French Fries

Step 1

Decide if you will peel the skin off or not. If you want to leave the skin on, scrub the potatoes well, and peel off a little skin to check that they are not green underneath the skin. If you want to remove the skin, use a vegetable peeler to peel the potatoes.

Step 2

Cut one side of each potato to create a flat surface, then place that side of the potato on a cutting board so it doesn't rock while you cut it. Carefully cut downward to create slices a little more than 1/4" thick. Cut those slices into long sticks to create fries, placing the fries in a bowl of cool water as you cut them, to prevent browning.

Step 3

Using a colander, rinse the potato sticks for a minute, then place in a bowl of cool water to soak for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse again, then dry the potatoes as well as you can with a kitchen towel.

Step 4

Using either a heavy-bottomed saucepan at least 8" wide and checking the temperature with a thermometer, or a dedicated deep fryer, add enough tallow to come a few inches up the pot, heating it to 325F. Add about half the potatoes and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove them to a paper towel-lined plate, and let sit for 5 minutes. You will notice that they will have taken little color, if any at all, and if you taste one, the potato should be very tender.

Step 5

Increase the heat of the oil to 375F and cook the french fries for 3 more minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Place in a large paper towel-lined mixing bowl to drain briefly, then while still hot, add salt and give the fries a toss. Adding salt or seasonings while hot ensures the salt will stick to the fries.

Step 6

Serve promptly with ketchup, mayonnaise, aioli, nacho cheese sauce, or eat them plain. Enjoy!