Cheese Fries

Ingredients

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 1c granulated sugar
• 1T MSG (optional)
• 1T onion powder
• 1T garlic powder
• 1T paprika
• 1t ginger powder
• 2t kosher salt, divided
• 3 cloves of garlic
• ¼c cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup water
• Neutral frying oil (about 2-3 inches in a medium pot)

Instructions

1. 1Prep the Fries
2. 2Cut the potatoes into your desired thickness for fries.
3. 3In a large bowl, rinse the cut potatoes under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, which helps them crisp up.
4. 4In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes to create a simple syrup. Let the syrup cool completely.
5. 5Pour the cooled simple syrup and enough water to cover the potatoes into the bowl. Let the potatoes soak for at least 2 hours. This is the key to a crispy fry!
6. 6After soaking, drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. This is a very important step—wet fries can cause hot oil to splatter dangerously.
7. 7Double Fry
8. 8In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, pour in enough neutral oil to reach a depth of 2-3 inches. Heat the oil to 325°F (160°C).
9. 9Fry the potatoes in small batches for about 5-7 minutes, until they are soft and tender but not browned.
10. 10Remove the fries with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack to drain and cool completely. This is the par-cook, which can be done in advance.
11. 11Once the fries are cool, increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C).
12. 12Fry the fries in small batches again for about 3-5 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy.
13. 13Make the Cheese Sauce
14. 14While the fries are frying, mince 3 cloves of garlic. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the cheddar cheese with a tablespoon or two of milk or water. Add in the minced garlic and stir until smooth and creamy.
15. 15Finishing
16. 16Drain the finished fries on a paper bag or paper towel to remove excess oil.
17. 17In a large bowl, toss the hot fries with 1t of salt, 1T of onion powder, 1T of garlic powder, 1T of paprika, 1t of ginger powder, and 1T of MSG (if using).
18. 18Plate the fries and generously drizzle the warm cheese sauce over them. Serve immediately.