A French Fry Lesson

Remember that first time you tried to make homemade French fries? Mine was a complete disaster! But now, I’ve mastered creating the perfect crispy fries. Let me share the lessons I learned along the way. I was newly married and had never cooked in my life! 

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been a bit of a neat freak, which made the idea of cooking seem daunting. As a newlywed, I realized I lacked basic cooking skills. When a relative was coming for dinner to celebrate our wedding, I found myself under pressure to cook a delicious meal. Fortunately, my ex-mother-in-law (may her soul rest in peace) prepared a feast of traditional Jordanian dishes, including stuffed zucchini and dwallii. Cooking Jordanian food was not possible since I was a total newbie.

Jordanian food has many layers of flavors that work perfectly together! Often, contrasting tastes, such as sweet vs. salty or sweet vs. spicy hot peppers, complement each other beautifully. So, now, back to the story; by the time she finished cooking, there were more than ten different mouthwatering main courses. As a dutiful daughter-in-law, I wanted to share her responsibilities.

From Kitchen Novice to Fry Master

When my ex-husband asked me to make French fries, I was eager to help. Having watched my mom make them countless times, I thought it would be easy. I confidently washed and peeled the best potatoes, cut them into sticks, and dropped them into a frying pan filled with oil.

I stood there watching my French fries cook forever

I didn’t realize the oil needed to be hot before adding the potatoes. As everyone gathered around the table, buzzing excitedly, I stood at the stove, stirring the fries in the cold oil. Anxious and confused, I struggled to understand why my fries weren’t browning properly. 

I felt dejected and overwhelmed by the failure. I had tried something new, and it had turned out to be a disaster.

After much deliberation, I decided to turn off the stove. I carefully removed the fries from the pan and placed them on a plate. With a mixture of embarrassment and pride, I walked to the dining table and set down the first dish I had ever cooked.

I waited expectantly for my ex-husband to admire my French fries, but his reaction was far from what I had hoped. He looked disappointed and quietly told me to return the plate to the kitchen. That moment, nearly thirty-four years ago, remains etched in my memory.

Mastering the Art of Frying

I’ve come a long way since my first disastrous attempt at making French fries. I learned my lesson about the importance of hot oil and have since perfected my technique. Now, I can confidently say that I have developed the best French fries recipe that is sure to impress. Check out my recipe to discover the secret to crispy, delicious fries!