French-style potatoes: A simple, tasty twist on classic cuisine

French cuisine is often associated with exquisite dishes and expensive ingredients. However, that's not entirely true. France also boasts many dishes that are easy to recreate, delightful in taste, and made with ingredients that can be purchased at a nearby grocery store. French-style potatoes are a great example.

Potatoes are famous all over the world, but they aren't particularly associated with French cuisine. However, that doesn't mean the French don't eat them. They have a different approach. They usually don't treat them as a side dish for dinner. Instead, they make simple but delightful dishes out of them.

A simpler way

In French cuisine, the most well-known dish featuring potatoes as the main ingredient is gratin dauphinois. Thin slices of potatoes are baked in cream, sometimes with added cheese and always fresh herbs. It’s quite a demanding recipe, considered an absolute classic of French cuisine. However, you can make French-style potatoes in a somewhat more straightforward way.

The French-style potatoes that have become a favourite in my family are first coated in an aromatic batter and then fried in a hot pan. This process gives them a delicious, crispy crust. French-style potatoes are best served as the main component of the dish rather than a side. Be sure to include fresh vegetables alongside them. The French believe green salad with an aromatic vinaigrette pairs excellently with potatoes. It is simple yet exquisite at the same time.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams potatoes,
• 1 egg,
• 3 tablespoons of thick yogurt,
• 3 tablespoons of wheat flour,
• 1 tablespoon of potato flour,
• dried garlic,
• thyme,
• ground paprika,
• salt and pepper,
• oil for frying.

Preparation:

1. Peel and wash the potatoes, then dry and slice them.
2. Parboil them in lightly salted water. They should be only parboiled, so 6-7 minutes is enough.
3. Take them out of the water and set aside to cool.
4. Mix the yogurt with the egg. Add garlic, ground paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Then, add the sifted flour and mix thoroughly.
5. Dip the potatoes in the batter, then fry them in hot oil on both sides until browned.
6. Place the prepared French-style potatoes on a plate lined with a paper towel.
7. Serve with a green salad.