Accordion potatoes (or Hasselback potatoes) or perhaps classic homemade French fries, thickly sliced and fried in lard or good oil? That aroma that filled grandma’s kitchen is unforgettable!
If you’re referring to those super-crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, that almost seem “magical,” here’s the secret trick grandmas used to make them just like the ones they used to:
🥔 Grandma’s Secret for Legendary Baked Potatoes
To get that golden, crackling crust and a center that melts in your mouth, the secret isn’t just the temperature, but the initial preparation.
Ingredients:
Yellow-fleshed potatoes (the best for baking).
Fresh rosemary, garlic, and coarse salt.
Extra virgin olive oil (or a tablespoon of lard for maximum crunchiness).
The secret touch: a tablespoon of flour or semolina.
The “Nostalgic” Method:
The Blanching (Essential): Never place raw potatoes directly in the pan. Cut them into cubes and blanch them in salted water for just 5 minutes. This creates a layer of starch on the surface that will become your crispy crust.
The Shaking: Drain the potatoes and return them to the dry pan. Cover with the lid and shake vigorously. The edges will bruise and a sort of “purée” will form on the outside.
The Flouring: Sprinkle with a tablespoon of durum wheat semolina or flour. This trick creates a natural breading that becomes glassy and incredibly crunchy when cooked.
The Heat: Heat the pan with the oil (and garlic) in the oven before adding the potatoes. When you add them, they should “fry” instantly.
Baking: 200°C for about 30-40 minutes. Don’t flip them immediately; wait until they separate from the bottom of the pan.
💡 Do you remember those “matchstick” fries?
If you’re nostalgic for the French fries your mom used to cut by hand one by one:
The trick was soaking them: Leave them in cold water for an hour to remove the starch.
Frying twice: The first time on medium heat to cook them through, the second time on very high heat to brown them.
Which dish drove you crazy the most as a kid? Were they baked potatoes on Sundays or fried potatoes on Saturday nights?