What are French Fries?

French Fries (or only fries) are the strips of deeply-fried potatoes. In French, they are known as frites, pommes frites or patates frites; at some places, they are also called French potatoes or fried potatoes. French fries are so named, because, in cooking terms, frenching refers to cutting food in length-wise strips. Though French fries are common in fast food chains and restaurants in France, but the origin of term in America is still a topic of debate. One opinion is that Thomas Jefferson brought the fries to America after coming across this dish in Paris. So, there is no dispute that French potatoes are an American invention, since people hold the belief that the dish was named after the nation where Jefferson found it.

Background

An old recipe

A Belgian journalist named ‘Jo Gerard’ claimed that a family manuscript dated long back (i.e. 1781) reports that potatoes were fried earlier in 1680s in Spanish Netherlands (present day’s Belgium). The inhabitants of Andenne, Dinant and Namur had the tradition of fishing for small fish and frying, but when the river was ice-covered and fishing became perilous, they cut potatoes and put them in the fryer. In France, eating potatoes was promoted by Parmentier. According to a manuscript written in Thomas Jefferson hand-writing, the recipe comes from a French chef named ‘Honore Julien’.

Let us discuss the simple recipe of French Fries:

Recipe: To make the dish, various ingredients used are – potatoes, oil (e.g. peanut oil), pepper and salt. Firstly, the potatoes are peeled and sliced into ¼ by ¼ inch thick batons. They are then rinsed in cold running water and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes (can be refrigerated up to a maximum of 2 days). In an electric deep fryer or oven fitted with deep-frying thermometer, oil is heated on medium heat till the thermometer registers the temperature 325 degree f. The cold water is drained from potato slices and the slices are wrapped in a tea towel or clean dish cloth and are thoroughly dried. The heat of the oven is increased to high and fries are added to the oil. They are fried, stirring occasionally. Within 6 to 8 minutes, the potatoes will change their color to become blond and will also become limp and soft. They are kept to rest for at least 10 minutes (maximum up to 2 hrs). When the French fries need to be served, the oil is reheated again to 350 degree F. The blanched potatoes are transferred to hot oil and are fried again, until they become puffed and golden brown (for about 1 min). Then they are transferred to paper lined platter and sprinkled with pepper and salt.

I.Benefits

Advantages of eating French Fries

French Fries are undoubtedly a tasty invention and are liked by majority of the people. Besides its taste and simple recipe, what other advantages does this dish offer us with? The main ingredient is potato, which is a rich source of fiber. Our body certainly needs fiber as it assists in passing out waste through the system and lowering the levels of cholesterol. Secondly, the potatoes contain potassium that is essential for providing energy to the body. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is another vitamin that is found in French fries. This vitamin helps to fight against many small and large illnesses. For women, vitamin B6 is so essential since it helps against menopause, bloating & hormonal swings during their monthly cycle. Another belief is that vitamin B6 helps an individual to get healthy looking skin and glossy, shiny hair.

II. Calories

Calorie count

There are around 200 calories in French fries weighing 59.2 grams. These 200 calories can be burnt with: 22 min. of cross-country skiing, 18 minutes of running, 38 minutes of bicycling, 30 minutes of swimming or 50 minutes of walking.

The break-up of McDonalds fries calories is as follows.

• Carbohydrates give up to 48.6 percent of the total calories.
• Fats contribute up to 47.8 percent.
• Proteins contribute up to 3.6 percent of the total calorie count.

A more precise break-up of calories in French fries by ingredients is given as under.

III. Additional Information

French Fries calories Breakup by Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized potato (2 ¼ to 3 ¼ inch in diameter and 173 g) – 161 calories
• Oil – 1 tbsp Peanut oil has 119 calories, 1 tbsp vegetable oil has 120 calories and 1 tbsp of olive oil has 119 calories
• 1 tsp of Salt and pepper – 3 calories