Quick and Clever Fries
Fingerling Fries
Here’s a quick and clever way to make potato fries without a lot of peeling and cutting. Fingerling potatoes, if you’re not familiar with them, are small potatoes with a long, narrow shape—hence their name. They come in several varieties; I like to use organic golden fingerlings like Russian Banana. These are ready, from start to finish, in about 20 minutes. For 4 to 6 servings, use 1 1/2 pounds fingerlings.
Scrub the fingerlings well. No need to peel them, but do peel away any overly dark or knobby spots, of which there should be few. Cut each potato into quarters lengthwise, which results in a short, chunky fry shape. Place the cut potatoes in a nonstick skillet with 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cover.
Simmer steadily for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the potatoes can be pierced with a knife but are still quite firm. Drain any excess water from the skillet.
Set the skillet back on the heat and drizzle in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Turn the heat up to medium-high and cook the potatoes, stirring frequently, until touched with golden brown on most sides, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Remove from the heat and season to taste with salt and paprika, or any other seasonings you might like. I added a splash of flaxseed oil before serving.
Geraldine said,
March 31, 2006 @ 9:53 am
These look delicious Nava (great photo!) and sound like they are very easy to make. I have not heard of this type of potato before, any difference in taste or just the size and appearance of them?
Hope you will stop by Veggies….for a visit soon. BFN
Nava said,
March 31, 2006 @ 10:30 am
Hi Geraldine, the fingerlings I used have the color, flavor, and texture of Yukon Gold potatoes. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a red-skinned version, and purplish-blue as well (I forgot what those are called, but those, combined with the yellow, would make for a pretty spectacular visual effect!). Try looking for these at a Whole Foods or some large organic market near you. I will go and pay you a visit at Veggies, Yarns and Tails (listed on the right on the Blogroll) ASAP!
Geraldine said,
March 31, 2006 @ 10:33 pm
Yummmmm…..I love Yukon Gold, the texture, taste and color. Look forward to trying your great recipe soon. These fries looks delicious.
Did you find any new recipes in France to share? Sounds like they have some excellent vegan dishes in the restaurants you visited. When did you become a vegan? I am working on it (as is Joe) but not there yet.
Have a wonderful weekend and BFN,
Ahtur Ammioz said,
April 1, 2006 @ 3:28 am
Peace and Blessings Nava!
I agree, what a great shot! I had the pleasure of spending several days in Le Havre, France, a couple of years ago, during my daytime alter ego as a videographer/producer for the US Govt. They had a farmer’s market the weekend I was there and it was simply incredible. To see all those wonderful organic fruits, veggies, grains as well artisanal edible oils and essential oils (not to mention the handmade veggie oil based soaps!)… It was heaven! When was the last time you were able to actually smell ripe tomatoes from 15 feet away?
The fries recipe reminds me of some fries I had at a cool asian/african fusion vegan restaurant in Atlanta called Zen Nubian. They did theres that way and I loved them, and I’m going to adopt them at our Soul Vegetarian restaurants. So next time you’re in DC, or Atlanta or Chicago look us up! We’re 100 percent vegan by the way!
Enjoying the page very much by the way!
Ahtur Ammioz
Nava said,
April 1, 2006 @ 8:10 am
I’ll answer in order; Geraldine, this coming summer my sons and I will have been vegans for 4 years. My husband followed about 6 months later (he wasn’t sure he could give up eggs, but he did!) My younger son was the first, though I’d been thinking about it. If you really want to give up dairy, read No More Bull by Howard Lyman, Diet for a New America by John Robbins, or The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. If these books don’t scare you off dairy, I don’t know what will!
And wow! The Soul Vegetarian restaurants! I certainly have heard of these but have not had the pleasure to eat there yet. I will be in DC some time next month for Book Expo America and if at all possible I will stop by for a meal (and most likely write about it here in this blog and/or my monthly newsletter). I love supporting vegetarian and especially vegan eateries wherever I go. Also, doesn’t Soul Vegetarian have a branch in Israel, or is it my imagination? I’ll have to find out, as my family and I are visiting Israel this summer. Thanks for stopping by, Ahtur!