This is revolutionary: you put the raw chipped potatoes into cold oil, then heat it up. It sounds crazy, but it works. You’d think it would make them unbearably greasy but in fact you end up with crisp, oil-free fries of utter fabulousness.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
This is revolutionary: you put the raw chipped potatoes into cold oil, then heat it up. It sounds crazy, but it works. You’d think it would make them unbearably greasy but in fact you end up with crisp, oil-free fries of utter fabulousness.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
1 kilogram waxy potatoes (such as Maris Piper/Yukon Gold)
1½ litres corn oil or flavourless vegetable oil (for frying)
1 bulb garlic (cloves unpeeled)
8 tender top sprigs of a mixture of fresh thyme and rosemary and sage (or herbs of your choice)
Maldon sea salt flakes (to taste)
2¼ pounds waxy potatoes (such as Maris Piper/Yukon Gold)
1½ quarts corn oil or flavourless vegetable oil (for frying)
1 bulb garlic (cloves unpeeled)
8 tender top sprigs of a mixture of fresh thyme and rosemary and sage (or herbs of your choice)
kosher salt (to taste)
Method
Cut the short ends off each potato (but don’t peel it) so that it can sit up vertically, and then slice it downwards into generous 1cm / ½-inch slices. Cut these slices into chips about 1cm / ½-inch thick; again, err on the generous side. Load up a clean tea towel with the chips as you cut them.
Put the oil into a wide, heavy-based pan (mine is approx. 28cm / 11-inches diameter and 11cm / 4½-inches deep), and add the freshly cut chipped potatoes. Then put the pan over a high heat and bring to a boil, which should take about 5 minutes. Keep a careful watch on the pan at all times.
Continue to cook the fries, without stirring them, for another 15 minutes. The pan will be bubbling vigorously. If the oil gets too hot or bubbles too hard, reduce the heat a little, and always keep a close eye on it. (If you’re using a thermometer, once the oil temperature reaches 160°C / 325°F, turn down the heat slightly and keep the fries cooking at between 150–160°C / 300-325°F.)
Now you can very carefully give the chips a gentle stir with a pair of tongs held in an oven glove, moving any that have stuck to the bottom or sides of the pan. Add the unpeeled cloves of garlic to the pan, stir gently again, and cook for another 5–10 minutes (watching the temperature and making sure the garlic doesn’t look burnt or the fries too dark), before testing a chip for crispness on the outside and tenderness on the inside. Do not burn your mouth, though! You might need another 5 minutes or so beyond this, but stand by your pan: the chips can turn from a cooked gold to a burnt bronze quickly.
At the point when the chips are pale gold, but crisp, toss in the herbs, then after a minute or so scoop everything out — using a couple of perforated scoops for ease, and wearing oven gloves to protect your hands — onto a tray or platter lined with a double thickness of kitchen roll. Once any excess oil has been absorbed, tip the chips off the kitchen paper clatteringly onto the plate and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to taste, serving immediately.
Cut the short ends off each potato (but don’t peel it) so that it can sit up vertically, and then slice it downwards into generous 1cm / ½-inch slices. Cut these slices into chips about 1cm / ½-inch thick; again, err on the generous side. Load up a clean tea towel with the chips as you cut them.
Put the oil into a wide, heavy-based pan (mine is approx. 28cm / 11-inches diameter and 11cm / 4½-inches deep), and add the freshly cut chipped potatoes. Then put the pan over a high heat and bring to a boil, which should take about 5 minutes. Keep a careful watch on the pan at all times.
Continue to cook the fries, without stirring them, for another 15 minutes. The pan will be bubbling vigorously. If the oil gets too hot or bubbles too hard, reduce the heat a little, and always keep a close eye on it. (If you’re using a thermometer, once the oil temperature reaches 160°C / 325°F, turn down the heat slightly and keep the fries cooking at between 150–160°C / 300-325°F.)
Now you can very carefully give the chips a gentle stir with a pair of tongs held in an oven glove, moving any that have stuck to the bottom or sides of the pan. Add the unpeeled cloves of garlic to the pan, stir gently again, and cook for another 5–10 minutes (watching the temperature and making sure the garlic doesn’t look burnt or the fries too dark), before testing a chip for crispness on the outside and tenderness on the inside. Do not burn your mouth, though! You might need another 5 minutes or so beyond this, but stand by your pan: the chips can turn from a cooked gold to a burnt bronze quickly.
At the point when the chips are pale gold, but crisp, toss in the herbs, then after a minute or so scoop everything out — using a couple of perforated scoops for ease, and wearing oven gloves to protect your hands — onto a tray or platter lined with a double thickness of kitchen roll. Once any excess oil has been absorbed, tip the chips off the kitchen paper clatteringly onto the plate and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to taste, serving immediately.
Additional Information
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead or store.
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead or store.
Try This Tip
When Potatoes Are Stored At Too Cold A Temperature
From pistachio
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Asked and Answered
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Deliciosas, pronto cocinaré las papas toscanas de Nigella, que tanto adoro !!!
Posted by SAAL22 on 1st September 2022
This recipe has become our lockdown treat. Never been terribly happy about deep frying at home but this method is a breeze. Eternally grateful for this one. Thank you Nigella.
Posted by IainMarley on 29th June 2021
Thanks Nigella. These french fries/chips turned out very crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This one is going in the books as one of the family's favorite. Thank you, thank you and thank you.
Posted by patdeg27177 on 10th May 2021
Wow! Easiest, most delicious crispy chips I've made ( or possibly had)!
Posted by 2blest40 on 23rd March 2021
OH MY GOD...these fries are a game changer. I rarely make them at home because of the mess. However, I made these in a dutch oven and clean up was a breeze. The flavour is amazing and so subtle. LOVE this recipe!!!!
Posted by Patti1116 on 21st March 2021
Absolutely fabulous fries! They work a treat! Who knew? Thanks Nigella. Again and again xXx
Posted by BoPeep9009 on 20th March 2021
Did not have the nerve to use a pan but used a wok and - easiest chips ever.
Posted by mikka2 on 20th March 2021
This is a game changer! The recipe really works and it was easy enough to make on Valentine's Day in my fancy dress. I always order steak and frites when husband and I go out, and I was able to make that happen at home this year! Felt like we were being served at a bistro.
Posted by LilaS on 16th February 2021
I can't believe how good this recipe is. Best chips ever and you cook from cold in the oil. Who knew? These are genuinely so good we have them twice in a week and thats two time more than we normally have chips!
Posted by Bertie46 on 29th August 2020
Very good. I may try with olive oil next time. These were very tasty but not as crisp as expected. The touch of garlic and herbs is a great idea. Brava!
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What 10 Others have said
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Posted by SAAL22 on 1st September 2022
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Posted by IainMarley on 29th June 2021
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Posted by patdeg27177 on 10th May 2021
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Posted by 2blest40 on 23rd March 2021
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Posted by Patti1116 on 21st March 2021
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Posted by BoPeep9009 on 20th March 2021
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Posted by mikka2 on 20th March 2021
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Posted by LilaS on 16th February 2021
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Posted by Bertie46 on 29th August 2020
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Posted by Mollymers on 10th May 2020
Show more commentsDeliciosas, pronto cocinaré las papas toscanas de Nigella, que tanto adoro !!!
This recipe has become our lockdown treat. Never been terribly happy about deep frying at home but this method is a breeze. Eternally grateful for this one. Thank you Nigella.
Thanks Nigella. These french fries/chips turned out very crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This one is going in the books as one of the family's favorite. Thank you, thank you and thank you.
Wow! Easiest, most delicious crispy chips I've made ( or possibly had)!
OH MY GOD...these fries are a game changer. I rarely make them at home because of the mess. However, I made these in a dutch oven and clean up was a breeze. The flavour is amazing and so subtle. LOVE this recipe!!!!
Absolutely fabulous fries! They work a treat! Who knew? Thanks Nigella. Again and again xXx
Did not have the nerve to use a pan but used a wok and - easiest chips ever.
This is a game changer! The recipe really works and it was easy enough to make on Valentine's Day in my fancy dress. I always order steak and frites when husband and I go out, and I was able to make that happen at home this year! Felt like we were being served at a bistro.
I can't believe how good this recipe is. Best chips ever and you cook from cold in the oil. Who knew? These are genuinely so good we have them twice in a week and thats two time more than we normally have chips!
Very good. I may try with olive oil next time. These were very tasty but not as crisp as expected. The touch of garlic and herbs is a great idea. Brava!