On Aug 7, 4:33 am, "Pandora" > wrote:
> My friend, you know I have had many problems with fried potatoes (it's since
> about 7 years I try). They came out so soft!!! This is because we don't have
> good potatoes (here we are in Italy and not in Germany). And you know I
> become very angry when I can't make a good dish. So I have turned on my
> brain and I have begun to think. After racking my brains I have invented an
> expedient; I don't know if "invented" is the proper term because I remember
> (but I have remembered after 7 years) that my mother used to make like this!
> To make very crispy fried potatoes: cut them with the proper machine at the
> same dimension. Then put the potatoes in a bowl, covered with water. Then
> let them stay for about one hour or mo this is the secret. A secret you
> will never read on magazines or cookbooks. After, you must dry perfectly
> your chips before you double fry (preferably in a fryer).
> DOUBLE FRYING (very important):
> Light your fryer and turn the temperature at 350°F (180°C). When it is
> ready, put inside your dry potatoes and cook till they become golden but not
> brown (it will take about 5-6 minutes). Then dry them very well on cooking
> paper and let them stay till you are ready to serve them in table (this is a
> VERY TIP! Because you can prepare them with great advance ...and if you have
> guests...you know what I mean ...you will need only few minutes to have
> CRISPY fryed potatoes on your table). Few minutes before serving, put again
> your potatoes in your fryer (this time the temperature will b of 375°F
> (190°C) and fry till they become golden-brown and very crispy.
> TRY TRY TRY! It's true and I Am so happy!
> Perhaps someone of you will think I Am the second person who discovered
> America (as we say in Italy ...DDD). But if, till yesterday, someone
> would have told me to soak potatoes for more then 10 minutes, I would have
> told him he was crazy!!!! DDD
> Wating for comments...
> --
> Kisses and cheers
> Pandora

I think I should say your English is really great since you've been
hanging out in this group. I am envious of anyone who has a second -
or third - language skill. The sum total of my Italian is a common
word for "dirty old man," which I learned after my friends and I got
some relatively harmless pokes and pinches on a public bus in
Rome. ;-)

As to crispy potatoes, I've always soaked them in ice water - you
could try that once - I don't think you would have to soak them that
long.

Ice water is also good for soaking onion rings (before you dip them in
batter and fry them). It keeps them really crispy.

N.