How To Make Triple-Cooked French Fries

Step 1: You will need:

Step 2: Cut the potatoes

Begin by cutting a sliver off the potato, to level it out. This helps to stabilize it whilst cutting. Cut the potato into thirds, lengthways and then into long strips, about 1/2 cm in thickness, to make your fries. Place them in a bowl of cold water. Repeat this with all the potatoes.

Step 3: Soak and wash

Run the bowl under cold water for a few minutes or leave them to soak for 5 minutes, changing the water at least once. This will remove much of the starch, making them crispier when cooked.

Step 4: Parboil and chill

Place the potato fries into a pan of cold water. Season with salt and bring them to a simmer. Cook them, just enough for them to soften but to still remain firm. This will roughly take 7-10 minutes, depending on the size and type of potato. Remove them from the water using the slotted spoon and place them on a tray to cool for a few minutes. Place them in the refrigerator and allow them to thoroughly chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5: Heat the oil

Towards the end of the chilling time, place a pan full of oil onto a moderate heat. Allow the oil to heat up only until little bubbles begin to appear at the bottom of the pan. It must not be too hot. Test it further, by placing in a fry, which should lightly bubble as it cooks.

Step 6: Fry the potatoes

Using your slotted spoon, carefully lower some of the fries into the hot oil. Don't over crowd the pan or it will make the temperature of the oil drop. Fry them in small batches. As this is to dry out the potatoes and not to achieve colour, only fry for approximately 3 minutes. Remove after this time, place onto a tray and add the second batch. Fry for three minutes, then remove and place on the tray. Allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then place the tray back into the fridge to cool for another 30 minutes.

Step 7: Increase the heat

Just before the fries have finished chilling, increase the temperature of the oil. This time the oil must be very hot to fry. Test it by carefully dropping a cooled fry into the oil. The oil should start to bubble vigorously, as it cooks.

Step 8: Finish the French fries

Now place the fries in small batches and let them fry until they are golden brown. Remove them and place onto the tray lined with paper towel to drain. Allow oil to heat up again between the batches.

Step 9: Serve

Season the fries with salt and serve immediately. Cooked to perfection, they can accompany almost any dish. Or can be served on their own, as a tasty, satisfying snack.