How to Read a French Fry: and Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science

Good fries can be made by starting the potato strips in relatively cool oil, 250–325°F/120–163°C, cooking for 8–10 minutes, then raising the oil temperature to 350–375°F/175–190°C and cooking for 3–4 minutes to brown and crisp the outside. The most efficient production method is to pre-fry all the potato strips at the lower temperature ahead of tim... See more

Thoughtful cooking means paying attention to what our senses tell us as we prepare it, connecting that information with past experience and with an understanding of what’s happening to the food’s inner substance, and adjusting the preparation accordingly.