R.C. Anderson
Chips - the ultimate goal for all potatoes
November 7th 2006 00:19
I'm a big fan of hot chips.
That's right, I admit it, hot chips.
I don't really care where they come from, take away food shops, frozen from the supermarket or made from scratch at home using yummy potatoes. It really doesn't matter, as long as it tastes like a chip.
Of course, some are better for you than others. After delving into a pile of greasy chippies from the take away, I do tend to feel a little greasy and bloated myself. Not nice. It always seems like such a good idea to buy them, before you actually do. and then you eat them!
Hmmm … there's got to be something better than that.
Then there's the frozen supermarket chips. Okay, so you have to cook them yourself and if you're really hungry there is always the temptation to take them out of the oven and eat them before they're quite ready. It's always such a disappointment when that happens.
And all supermarket frozen chips are different. Some cook nice and fast, getting crisp and tasty very quickly. Others seem to take at least twice as long, staying soggy and unappetising for ages before finally deciding to crisp up. I ask you, what self-respecting chip would behave like that? Don't they all want to be the best that they can?
Better than that? Oh yes, absolutely.
Home made chips.
All right, I know. Not only do you have to cook them yourself, you also have to peel them, cut them up and do all the preparation as well. I'll tell you what, though, get it right and it's worth it.
There are a number of ways to make home-made chips, some healthier than others. For those of you with a deep fat fryer, making chips is easy but for those of us without the fryer and anyone who wants a healthier chip, try the following.
Cut your potatoes up as normal. The best potatoes to choose are the starchy kinds rather than the watery ones and old ones often work better than new ones. Thicker chips are also better for you as they end up absorbing less oil than thinner chips.
Once you've cut the chippies, dry them really well on a clean tea towel then put into a large bowl with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. There should be just enough oil to coat each chip. Give them a good shake so the oil and salt is well distributed.
Put your chips either on a non-stick oven tray, single layer is best, or on a wire grill tray, again in a single layer and place into a moderate/hot oven (around 180-200o C) and cook until golden.
If they're taking a bit too long to cook (some potatoes do seem to cook quicker than others) you can turn up the oven once the chippies have softened. Turn it up to around 220-230 o C to brown them.
Home-made chips are better if they're not rushed, too high a temperature can cause burning at the tips. Great chips can take up to an hour to cook.
For an even healthier alternative, try coating your raw chips with egg white instead of oil. That works pretty well too.
That's right, I admit it, hot chips.
I don't really care where they come from, take away food shops, frozen from the supermarket or made from scratch at home using yummy potatoes. It really doesn't matter, as long as it tastes like a chip.
Of course, some are better for you than others. After delving into a pile of greasy chippies from the take away, I do tend to feel a little greasy and bloated myself. Not nice. It always seems like such a good idea to buy them, before you actually do. and then you eat them!
Hmmm … there's got to be something better than that.
Then there's the frozen supermarket chips. Okay, so you have to cook them yourself and if you're really hungry there is always the temptation to take them out of the oven and eat them before they're quite ready. It's always such a disappointment when that happens.
And all supermarket frozen chips are different. Some cook nice and fast, getting crisp and tasty very quickly. Others seem to take at least twice as long, staying soggy and unappetising for ages before finally deciding to crisp up. I ask you, what self-respecting chip would behave like that? Don't they all want to be the best that they can?
Better than that? Oh yes, absolutely.
Home made chips.
All right, I know. Not only do you have to cook them yourself, you also have to peel them, cut them up and do all the preparation as well. I'll tell you what, though, get it right and it's worth it.
There are a number of ways to make home-made chips, some healthier than others. For those of you with a deep fat fryer, making chips is easy but for those of us without the fryer and anyone who wants a healthier chip, try the following.
Cut your potatoes up as normal. The best potatoes to choose are the starchy kinds rather than the watery ones and old ones often work better than new ones. Thicker chips are also better for you as they end up absorbing less oil than thinner chips.
Once you've cut the chippies, dry them really well on a clean tea towel then put into a large bowl with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. There should be just enough oil to coat each chip. Give them a good shake so the oil and salt is well distributed.
Put your chips either on a non-stick oven tray, single layer is best, or on a wire grill tray, again in a single layer and place into a moderate/hot oven (around 180-200o C) and cook until golden.
If they're taking a bit too long to cook (some potatoes do seem to cook quicker than others) you can turn up the oven once the chippies have softened. Turn it up to around 220-230 o C to brown them.
Home-made chips are better if they're not rushed, too high a temperature can cause burning at the tips. Great chips can take up to an hour to cook.
For an even healthier alternative, try coating your raw chips with egg white instead of oil. That works pretty well too.
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Comment by Stuart
Mediated
Perhaps you can tell me where I'm going wrong, I normally fry my chips in oil (which I'm guessing is right down the bottom of the health scale) and I only have a small saucepan. So the chips usual crowd for space but are always fully submersed.
Yet they always end up soggy?
I guess the oven might be the go, but surely that's baking potatoes that are thin instead of making chips?
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
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MS Paint Art
katyzzz. Love the pussy cat.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Great to meet you. Personally, I often have a craving for chips ... it's my downfall.
Over crowding is often a problem when frying foods so it could be worth trying a few less in the pot at a time (or buying a bigger pan). Fryed chips need a pretty hot oil to crisp up nicely and the more you put in there the harder it is for the oil to get nice and hot. Deep fryers often use a moderate heat first to soften the potatoes then you turn it up to a higher temp to crisp them. I reckon yours just aren't getting hot enough in your little saucepan.
As to the 'debate' about oven baking v frying. I reckon it doesn't matter how you make them as long as they taste good! Try them in the oven ... honestly, they are good although it may take a few tries before you get them just the way you like them.
Thanks for dropping by and let me know if you try the oven baked chips.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks for coming back.
Trust me ... every potato works hard its whole life, just so it can be chosen to become a chip. The ultimate dream!
As to the cat ... my daughter drew that for me a few months ago when my parent's cat, Misty, died. He was a favourite in our family and will be missed. She brought the piccy home from school and said she hoped it would make me feel a bit happier. It did.
Always glad to make people healthier and, you're right, laughter is a great way to do that.
A.H.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Your daughter's doing well, I never could draw, had three friends who could draw very well so I never felt any compusion to contribute in that way. I think I lacked the natural talent or was a bit brain deficient in that area. Drawing wasn't big when I went to school, I liked it that way. Hence my love for and passion with computers.
Sorry to learn Misty has passed on, she lives still in your daughter's art work.
Loved your article. katyzzz
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I can't draw to save my life! In fact I'd be perfectly happy to claim my daughter's work as my own, half the time, as it looks remarkably similar to my poor efforts. Might stick to writing instead.
In your case, it doesn't seem to matter whether you have a talent with pencil and paper ... your computer art is lovely anyway.
Come back again soon.
A.H.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Thanks for your lovely comments. I'll keep an eye on you.
katyzzz
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
The article is great, and funny too. Great work. I will try these chips tonight.