French Fry Day: Discover unique loaded fries with these quick and easy recipes

Everybody loves potatoes, but that love multiplies tenfold when they're turned into French fries. The best part about snacking on fries is that they can be enjoyed at any time of the day, with recipes easily tweaked to suit your choice of seasonings and sauces. While classic fries are always a favourite, they have evolved significantly over the past decade, especially in India and closer to home in Mumbai. Traditionally enjoyed with burgers, fries are now inspired by cuisines from around the world and are even loaded, becoming a meal by themselves and making them even more irresistible.

National French Fry Day is celebrated on July 12, particularly in the US, but its popularity has spread worldwide with the growing love for French fries. Known by different names, the universal craving for fries is unmatched. They no longer need burgers to be enjoyed, having established their own identity that incorporates American, African, European, and Indian flavours, thus appealing to diverse palates.

With the popularity of fries increasing, mid-day.com spoke to Indian chefs who shared some of their favourite and innovative French fries recipes to enjoy on this day and throughout the monsoon season. They suggest making fries with millet and using root vegetables to enhance the flavours. While there's a recipe inspired by French flavours, the chefs also incorporate an Indian twist to make your fries even more delectable.

Foxtail Millet Peri-Peri French Fries
As India celebrates its millets, chef Ruffy Shaikh, senior sous chef at ITC Grand Central in Parel says you can give a healthy twist to the French Fries by using foxtail millet to make Foxtail Millet Peri-Peri French Fries. He shares, "These foxtail millet peri peri French fries are a delightful twist on the classic snack, combining the nutty flavour of millet with the spicy kick of peri-peri. Perfect for a health-conscious yet indulgent treat. Enjoy these unique and flavourful fries as a snack or side dish."

Ingredients:
Foxtails idli rawa 250 gm
Grated potato 150 gm
Chat masala 5 gm
Peri-peri dusting 5 gm
Salt 5 gm
Water 350 ml

Method:
1. Boil foxtail idli rawa for 4 minutes.
2. Strain it and add grated potato along with chat masala and salt.
3. Make equal portions of dough roll out into rectangular strips and cut the strips.
4. Freeze the millet strips and fry frozen at 180 degrees Celsius for 5-7 minutes until they are brown in colour.
5. Dust the French fries with peri-peri dusting along with salt.
6. Serve hot along with cocktail sauce.

Dirty Fries
If you love loading your fries with all things good, then chef Vaibhav Jambutkar at SAZ American Brasserie says you can make the Dirty Fries. He explains, "This dish is very simple yet packed with flavours and also satisfies the hunger of different textures while experiencing different flavours like sour, sweet, savoury, and spicy. One of the unique properties is this dish can be moulded in anyways as per ones liking."

Ingredients:
McCain fries, 11mm, skin on 200 gm
White English cheddar 10 gm
Red English cheddar 20 gm
Amul fresh cream 60 gm
Onion 5 gm
Tomato 20 gm
Tobasco 5 gm
Ketchup 10 gm
Green chilli 2 gm
Coriander fresh 10 gm
Pickled jalapeno, green 5 gm
Pickled jalapeno, red 5 gm
Doritos nachos
sweet chilli 10 gm
Hung curd 10 gm
Lime juice 10 ml
Smoked paprika 2 gm

Method:
1. Start with a double boiler on a burner for making cheese sauce by melting red cheddar, white cheddar and half of the above-mentioned cream. Slowly keep swishing the sauce to prevent any lumps. Here you can skip white cheddar and use normal processed cheese or Kraft cheese to your liking.
2. Once the cheese has incorporated in the cream and the sauce is smooth, end it to get a smooth consistency.
3. Smoothen the hung curd with the help of a whisk add fresh cream and adjust to a smooth consistency, add lime juice to adjust the seasoning of sour cream
4. To make a salsa start by cutting tomatoes in quarters and deseeding them and scooping the seeds out and chopping them to small cubes and keep aside. Chop a small size onion, a small green chilli and half of the coriander. Mix all in a bowl and add tobacco and tomato ketchup to get a very basic version of tomato salsa. You may skip the ketchup and add fresh tomato paste or tomato juice to your liking or just add salt to the above and use it in your recipe
5. Finally, heat up some oil to fry the French fries and once they are crispy and golden remove and pat the extra oil with a kitchen towel, salt the fries and arrange in the serving dish.
6. Reheat the cheese sauce and drop it on top of the fries, drizzle the tomato salsa, jalapenos, crushed nachos and smoked paprika, top it up with a nice dollop of sour cream and garnish with a sprig of coriander.

Chilli Basil French Fries
Taking the French route, chef Anshul Verma at Araiya Palampur Himachal Pradesh says you can be a little extravagant and make delicious Chilli Basil French Fries. He shares, "Chili basil French fries, also known as "Pommes Frites aux Chili et Basilic" in French, originated in Belgium, where French fries have been a staple food for centuries. The Belgians have a long tradition of serving fries with a variety of toppings, including mayonnaise, cheese, and herbs. The combination of chili flakes and fresh basil, however, is a more recent innovation that has gained popularity worldwide."

Verma adds that the crispy, golden-brown fries provide a satisfying crunch, while the spicy kick from the chilli flakes adds depth and warmth. The freshness of the basil adds a bright, herbaceous note that complements the richness of the fries perfectly. He adds, "While traditional Belgian-style chilli basil French fries remain classic, modern variations have emerged to tantalize taste buds. Some recipes add a tangy element with a squeeze of lime juice or a drizzle of aioli. Others incorporate different types of chili peppers or spicy sauces for added heat. Even adventurous chefs have experimented with unique flavour combinations like truffle oil or parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:
Potatoes, cut into long, thin strips (for French fries) 200 gm
Vegetable oil for frying Chilli flakes (adjust to taste) 3 gm
Kashmiri chilli paste 15 gm
Fresh basil leaves, chopped 10 gm
Garlic, minced 2 cloves
Salt to taste
Optional: Parmesan cheese, grated 1/4 cup

Method:
1. Heat the oil in a deep-frying pan or a deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
2. Mix chili flakes, chopped basil, and minced garlic in a bowl. Add the potato strips to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the chili-basil mixture.
3. Fry the potatoes in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Drain excess oil on paper towels. Sprinkle the fries with salt to taste. If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it on top of the fries and serve immediately.

Tips:
1. For an extra crispy coating, chill the potato strips in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before frying.
2. Adjust the level of heat in your chili flakes according to your taste preferences.
3. Consider adding other herbs like thyme or oregano to complement the basil flavour.
4. Pair these Chili Basil French Fries with a refreshing drink, like a glass of chilled beer or sparkling water with lime and mint.

Variations:
1. Add some heat by drizzling sriracha sauce or hot sauce on top of the fries.
2. Mix in some grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese for a creamy, cheesy twist.
3. Serve with a side of homemade ranch dressing or tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Indian-Inspired Loaded French Fries - Spice Temple Fries
Giving an Indian touch to the Belgium-origin dish, chef Prem Pogakula, executive chef at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace says you can make the Indian-inspired loaded French fries. With a mix of paneer, green peas, onions, tomatoes, and even garam masala powder, Pogakula, says it is an array of scrumptious ingredients that are perfect during the monsoon season.

Ingredients:
Frozen fries 2 cups
Paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed 1 cup
Onion, finely chopped 1 no
Tomato, finely chopped 1 no
Green peas 1/2 cup
Sweet corn kernels 1/2 cup
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Garam masala powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Grated cheese 1 tsp

Method:
1. Fry the frozen fries until golden brown and crispy
2. In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil.
3. Add cumin seeds
4. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and cook
6. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and garam masala powder.
7. Add green peas, sweet corn kernels, and paneer cubes.
8. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are cooked through.
9. Season with salt to taste
10. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top.
11. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot.

Earthy Root Vegetables French Fries
Making the most of seasonal vegetables, chef Nandan, cluster executive chef, The Dukes Retreat in Lonavala says you should make Earthy Root Vegetables French Fries. He explains, "It uses a variety of earthy root vegetables instead of the traditional potatoes. By incorporating sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beetroot, we get a blend of flavours, colours, and textures that are not typically found in standard French fries. Each vegetable adds its distinct taste and nutritional benefits." Additionally, he adds, the use of garlic powder, paprika, and fresh herbs elevates the flavour profile.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes, large 2 nos
Carrots, large 2 nos
Parsnips, large 2 nos
Beetroot, large 1 no
Olive oil 2 tbsp
Garlic powder 1 tsp
Paprika 1 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Black pepper 1/2 tsp
Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven.
2. Prepare the vegetables
3. Peel the sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beetroot.
4. Cut them into thin strips resembling traditional French fries.
5. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
6. Toss the vegetable strips in the seasoned oil until they are evenly coated.
7. Spread the coated vegetable strips in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fries are crispy and golden brown.
9. Remove the fries from the oven and let them cool slightly.
10. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. 11. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.