I’ve been a lover of chips since I was a kid. My mother used to lure me for sending me to school by handing me a bag of store-bought potato chips. Well, I can’t say it didn’t work. Growing up, the chips available around us today are immense. From corn chips to nachos and baked varieties, we’ve got them all. However, what has stuck to me is the humble potato chip. From being a great attraction to go to school to a quick evening and midnight snack, potato chips have been great accompaniments on many occasions.
Whether they are salted, spicy or sweet, the crunch of the chip and the flavour of the potato is enough to make me feel fulfilled. Even while binge-watching movies and shows, I prefer a bag of chips over popcorn and nachos. You can pair these potato chips with a creamy dip, tomato sauce, spicy dip, or just eat them as is. Did you know that these potato crisps can be made at home too?
Oh yes, it is possible to make potato chips at home and enjoy an unlimited supply of snacks for the rest of the week. If you’re thinking of trying a batch this week, here are some tips and tricks which can be useful for you.
1. The Right Potato
It is very important to choose the right kind and right size of potatoes. For making these chips, the best kinds are those which have high starch content. In terms of size, you should select medium-sized potatoes with a uniform size. This makes chopping easier.
2. Slicing Them Away
You wouldn’t want uneven, crooked chips right? To get the perfect shape, you need the perfect slicer. A mandolin cutter is actually a great tool to get uniform slices. However, if you don’t have one, you can simply use a sharp knife to perform the action.
3. Soak Before You Fry
Take a bowl of salted cold water and rinse the slices through it. This step ensures the excess starch from the potatoes is removed and also prevents them from browning. You should change the water twice or thrice during this process.
4. Clean Before Fry
After the soaking process is complete, simply spread out the slices on a paper towel. This would allow the chips to dry up and remove the excess water before they are dunked into the hot oil.
5. Hot Oil For Frying
The perfect crispy potatoes chips need hot oil for frying. The reason is that if the oil is not hot enough, the chips will soak up the oil and become mushy and greasy, ruining their flavour.
Once they have been fried till golden-brown, you can cool them down on a paper towel and season them. From salt to chilli powder and garlic and onion powder, you can use whatever seasoning you like. Finally, your crispy potato chips are ready to be devoured.