[QUOTE=Xyzzy;316811]We wish we could get these where we live.[/QUOTE]

You can.

Take a potato. Cut out any bad bits. Optionally peal. Cut along one dimension in the other two into appropriately 1 cm thick slices.

Take a frying pan. Add the oil of your choice. Optionally, add curry powered, pepper, salt et al.

Fry to taste.

Eat.

We have tried but they are not the same as the ones we once tried on a layover somewhere in Europe. (Belgium?)

We'd move to that place just for the fries.

:raccoon:

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;316815]We have tried but they are not the same as the ones we once tried on a layover somewhere in Europe. (Belgium?)[/QUOTE]

Two possible explanations I can immediately think of:

1. Food is often better if someone else prepares it.

2. They used ingredients you yourself wouldn't use. MSG, for example.

[QUOTE=chalsall;316816]Two possible explanations I can immediately think of:

1. Food is often better if someone else prepares it.

2. They used ingredients you yourself wouldn't use. MSG, for example.[/QUOTE]

exactly right!

But they were probably also twice fried, or par-boiled and then fried. This is why places that cut their own potatoes in front of you and fry them never have good fries--people fool themselves into thinking they are great because fresh cut must be better right? but they never choose them in blinded taste tests.

try this method
1) cut fries into standard shape--use Imperial measurements as this will lead to tastier fries.
2) blanch the fries at 175 degrees F. for 15 minutes with a bit of vinegar added to the water (a couple tablespoons is sufficient): this is a snap if you have a sous vide set-up, if not boil some water. take the pot off the heat, throw the fries in and put a lid on it. wait 15 minutes it will be close enough.
3) meanwhile heat up the oil to 375 degrees. and after [B]drying the fries completely![/B] fry them for one minute. then remove them. If you are making a huge batch this is the point where you can freeze some for later.
4) make sure the fryer temperature is back to 375, then fries go back in the fryer for 3-4 minutes. (basically till all the fries are floating and golden brown goodness is achieved plus you will see tiny bubbles forming on the outer layer of the fries.)

5) congratulations you have achieved fry nirvana. This sounds like a lot of work (and in some ways it is) but you can spend an afternoon making a bunch of zip-lock bags portions and freezing them, then fry them later. season with plain salt in my opinion, but any seasoning will taste better on the world's best fries.

[QUOTE].....use Imperial measurements as this will lead to tastier fries.[/QUOTE]
:cmd:

[QUOTE=chappy;316821]But they were probably also twice fried, or par-boiled and then fried. This is why places that cut their own potatoes in front of you and fry them never have good fries--people fool themselves into thinking they are great because fresh cut must be better right? but they never choose them in blinded taste tests.
[/QUOTE]

Quite correct.

Now, who here can prepare perfect sushi?

Here's a hint. It involves washing the rice.

[QUOTE=chalsall;316828]

Now, who here can prepare perfect sushi?

[/QUOTE]

I have made sushi that Jiro doesn't have nightmares about, but never that he would dream of. But, yes washing off excess carbs is a great simple trick.

PS. my sushi is merely passable but my Spam Musubi is awesome--the secret is not falling to the temptation to over-use the Rooster sauce.

PPS.for anyone who doesn't get the Jiro reference: you have missed out on a great documentary film :)

[QUOTE=chappy;316830]PS. my sushi is merely passable but my Spam Musubi is awesome--the secret is not falling to the temptation to over-use the Rooster sauce.[/QUOTE]

Just between you and me et al, I [I]really[/I] want to try a tamagoyaki be-kon maki.

BTW, I got your joke about Jiro.

Razer mouse unusable if you dont have an internet connection
 

[url]http://www.overclock.net/t/1319323/razer-synapse-2-0-software-mouse-unusable-if-you-dont-have-an-internet-connection-or-their-servers-are-down[/url]

[QUOTE=retina;317534]razer[/QUOTE]
why in the hell would someone need a 60 dollars mouse? i do quite well with a 3 dollars logitech made in china by the enslaved children of dissident political prisoners.

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;316815]We have tried but they are not the same as the ones we once tried on a layover somewhere in Europe. (Belgium?)

We'd move to that place just for the fries.[/QUOTE]
I live in Belgium, so I can get fries whenever I want.
It's hard to find a (even small) city without 4 or 5 'fritkot' (place where they mainly sell fries).

I'm addicted to this:
[URL="http://www.belgianfries.com/bfblog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/mitraillette.jpg"] it's called a 'mitraillette'[/URL].
Take a large sandwich, put a burger (or 2, depending on the size of the burger) in it, then fill it up with french fries, add sauce: enjoy!