Can you name just one person in your life who doesn’t like potatoes at all? True, this is not impossible, but still, it’s extremely rare. After all, potatoes provide so much in terms of cooking and taste. There’s an array of dishes that can be prepared or upgraded with potatoes. And if you have never had truffle fries before, it’s time to change this unfortunate circumstance and introduce your palate to this savory treat.
What Are Truffle Fries?
To put it simply, truffle fries are like regular fries, i.e., deep-fried potato slices that are coated with truffle oil as well as different toppings such as cheese, garlic, spices, herbs, etc. We are talking about a savory dish here, so keep in mind that truffles refer to the mushrooms, not the chocolates.
Now, if you’re already familiar with truffle mushrooms, your mind might go straight to the matter of cost. After all, truffles are known to be very expensive. The thing is though, there are two kinds of truffles: black ones and white ones. They differ in taste considerably, but also in price. Of course, if you have the means to spend hundreds of dollars on black truffles, feel free to do so. But, if you want to taste this delicacy while being mindful of your budget, stick to the white truffle oil.
The truffle oil is rather strong and distinctive, and when paired with a salty Parmesan cheese it offers an amazing combo of flavors, which is precisely the reason why regular French fries drizzled in this oil deserve their own separate recipe. Even when you look up truffle fries near me, chances are the dish will be described as a truly delectable and special item on the menu.
Aside from the traditional deep-fried fries that are already greasy and then have to be topped with truffle oil, you can also try a healthier alternative that involves baked potatoes. You can still add your truffle oil, toppings, and spices even when your potato slices get all crispy and delicious in the oven. An air fryer may be an even healthier alternative if you have one.
How to Make Truffle Fries
Obviously, in order to make your truffle fries, you have to start with your baking potatoes. The larger the better. Make sure to wash them really well and then leave them to dry completely.
The next step would be to cut the potatoes into thin strips. The best way to do so is to cut them in slices first and then make the strips out of each slice with a sharp knife. There’s no need for each and every strip to be perfectly cut as long as they’re of approximately similar thickness.
Of course, you don’t have to cut the potatoes by hand if you own an adequate tool such as a French Fry cutter, mandoline slicer, or some kind of useful food processor for this purpose. However, using a tool for the slicing means that you’ll need to wash that tool later on, so one knife may not be such a bad choice after all, especially if you’re not making a huge batch.
With your potatoes cut in strips and ready to go, place them all into a large bowl and add a little olive oil (or any other vegetable oil you prefer) and toss them. You won’t be using truffle oil just yet. Once the strips are coated with oil add the salt and pepper according to taste and toss the potatoes again. If you want to add dried spices and herbs, this is the time to do so as well.
Baking the French Fries
As mentioned, it’s not necessary to deep fry your French fries since you’ll be using oil for added taste later on. To avoid so much grease on your plate, you can opt for baking the fries. The result will still be crispy and delicious.
That said, arrange your potato strips that you previously coated in vegetable oil and seasoned to taste on a large baking sheet. The easiest way to avoid the potato from sticking to the sheet is to use parchment paper for the lining. And even though you may think that a nonstick pan or a silicone mat is a better idea, keep in mind that those won’t allow the potatoes to get as crispy as they otherwise would be.
Now, make sure that your oven is preheated to about 425 degrees F. In general, your fries should be in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll need to turn them once and pay attention so they don’t burn. Depending on the thickness of your potato strips, it might be necessary to adjust the baking time as well.
Obviously, you know your oven the best. But if you’re generally not too pleased with the strength of your oven, place the sheet with fries at the very bottom, where the heat is the strongest.
When your fries are baked and perfectly crispy, it’s time to get them out of the oven and add the most important ingredient – truffle oil. This oil is rather strong and flavorful, so all you need to do is lightly drizzle your fries with it.
The next step is to add some fresh parsley or other fresh herbs of your choice and top it all off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. However, keep in mind that when we say freshly grated Parmesan cheese, we truly mean it. Buying an already shredded Parmesan cheese won’t have nearly as delicious and melting effect as the fresh one that you grate yourself. That said, your truffle fries are ready to serve and enjoy immediately!
Essentially, truffle fries are delicious and rich in flavor on their own but if you so prefer, you can always make a quick dip for them, such as a homemade ranch, for example. What’s more, you might want to pair the truffle fries with grilled onions, creamy polenta, or even ketchup. Even though you don’t really need ketchup and it may seem like it’ll spoil the taste, it can actually blend rather well with the strong taste of truffle oil.
For 2 servings of the truffle fries recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 rather large baking potato (or 2 medium-sized ones)
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 tbsp of truffle oil
- 1 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley
- Salt, pepper, and other dried spices to taste
Approximately, a single serving of truffle fries has about 250 calories.
Even though they’re called French fries, this potato-based dish is a true American treat. And the variation of truffle fries is something that every American deserves to try. Of course, you don’t have to rush and buy white truffle oil this very moment if you’re not sure whether you’ll like the taste. Therefore, we at Glass and Vine are happy to welcome you to our intimate and comfortable garden setting by the sea in Coconut Grove, Miami. We’re confident that our menu and wine list will become your favorite dinner pairing. Away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city, surrounded by breathtaking nature, your dining experience will be infinitely more enjoyable and satiating.
