Matchstick Fries Recipes

MATCHSTICK FRIES

Steps:

• Trim potatoes into 4-inch-long blocks. Using a mandolin, cut potatoes into 3/16-inch-thick sticks. Place in a strainer and rinse under cold running water. Transfer to a large bowl and add cold water to cover by 1 inch, then let soak in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain potatoes and rinse again and then spread on a clean kitchen towel and dry completely, patting off as much water as possible.
• In deep fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees. Fry potatoes in batches until light golden, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt while hot and serve immediately.

MATCHSTICK FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Trim potatoes into 4-inch-long blocks. Using a mandoline, cut into 3/16-inch-thick sticks. In deep fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees. Fry potatoes in batches until light golden, about 1 minute. Drain, let cool, and freeze, covered, until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Deep-fry again at 350 degrees; until golden brown, about 1 minute. Salt while hot; serve with ketchup, if desired.

MATCHSTICK POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pour at least 1-inch of oil into a deep pot and heat it to 350 degrees F.
• Slice the potatoes into thin matchsticks (1/8-inch thick) with a vegetable slicer or mandoline, dropping them into a bowl of cold water as you cut. Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Drop the potatoes in batches into the hot oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the pot with a wire basket skimmer or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Place on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and keep warm in the oven while you cook the rest of the potatoes.
• Sprinkle the potatoes with parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

JICAMA MATCHSTICK FRIES

Steps:

• Place a heavy pot over medium-high heat and fill with at least 1-inch vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. (Portable deep-fryers at home are great for this, but if you don¿t have one, use a candy thermometer ¿ just be careful!)
• Very thinly slice the jicama, as you would a potato to make chips, then stack a few slices at a time and cut them all into matchstick-sized pieces.
• Carefully place the chips into the hot oil (use a slotted spoon and wear mitts) and fry until very crispy (just a few minutes will do). Cook in batches, as necessary. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle liberally with equal amounts of salt, onion, and garlic powders, and paprika to taste. Toss to coat well and serve immediately.

SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH MATCHSTICK FRIES AND FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Peel and quarter the sweet potatoes.
• Wash the leeks well, and drain. Remove any damaged outside peel, remove the hairy white tips from the end, and cut the leeks into 1-inch slices. Leave 1 (3-inch) section aside to be fried for the garnish. In a large pot, cook the leeks with the butter until soft. Do not brown. Add the stock or water.
• Add the sweet potatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and boil until cooked through, just softer than fork tender.
• Using an immersion blender, puree the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended. Add the grated ginger, and test for consistency. If too thick, add a bit more water. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper, as needed. Ladle the soup into warm bowls, and garnish with a mound of hot crispy matchstick potatoes and frizzled leeks.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.)
• To make matchstick fries: Peel and cut potatoes into matchstick slices. Rinse them under cold water in a strainer to remove the excess starch. Let drain well, and pat dry. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes submerged in canola oil, until they are a nice deep golden brown. Drain the potatoes on a paper towel or absorbent cloth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot.
• To make 'frizzled leeks': Cut the 3-inch piece of leek into matchstick slices similar to the potato. Place the potato starch in a small bowl, lightly dust the leek pieces in it to help prevent them from burning. Fry the strips of leek in the same hot oil used for the potatoes, until they are just golden, about 1 minute
• Add to the bowl of matchstick fries. Mix them together. Garnish in a little mound on top of the soup.