| America’s lasting gift to the world, the potato | | | | Cookbook]. Whether you’re serving indoors or |
| feeds people all over the planet. Following the | | | | out, they will add something to your table. |
| discovery of the New World, Spanish plundered the | | | | French Fries |
| palaces, and their Galleons carried off gold and silver | | | | French fries are available at even the finest |
| by the ton, but that was only money. The foods | | | | restaurants. They’re the mainstay of more |
| they took from Native American farmers would | | | | modest restaurants, and fast food places. You can |
| ultimately feed the world. Where would we be | | | | prepare great French fries right at home in your own |
| without corn, or chocolate, or potatoes? | | | | kitchen. You can fry them in a deep pot of boiling oil, |
| Potatoes originated in the Andes Mountains of Peru, | | | | but boiling oil is messy and dangerous. They are |
| and had been cultivated by the Incas since around | | | | worth it. When you taste homemade French fries, |
| 5000 BCE. The Spanish brought them back to Europe | | | | you will want to serve them again and again. Invest |
| where they were met with great reluctance. | | | | in an electric fry cooker if you plan to make French |
| Potatoes weren’t mentioned in the Bible, so God | | | | fries at home often. |
| hadn’t ordained them as “Christian food.” | | | | French fries aren’t French. They’re an |
| Potatoes are members of the nightshade family; the | | | | American invention. Thomas Jefferson is supposed to |
| plant is poisonous. Potatoes were fed to the inmates | | | | have served them at diplomatic receptions before |
| of asylums and prisons. Their wide spread | | | | potatoes became popular in Europe. Enjoy French |
| acceptance came later. | | | | fries; they’re as American as apple pie. |
| They grow almost everywhere. Potatoes tolerate | | | | 4 to 6 medium potatoes |
| terrible soils and challenging climates. They are the | | | | Canola oil |
| first and only food to be grown in space. They grow | | | | Heat the oil to boiling, about 325°F in a deep |
| almost anywhere, and produce generous yields when | | | | straight-sided pan. Better yet heat the oil in fry |
| they do. | | | | cooker designed for the process. |
| Potatoes are healthy food. Dieters avoid them | | | | Peel the potatoes if you like. Wash them, and then |
| because of the calorie content. They miss out on all | | | | cut them into 1/4” x 1/4” sticks. Let dry on |
| the essential vitamins and minerals in the potato and | | | | a paper towel. Immerse them in the hot oil and cook |
| its skin. They also miss out on some great taste | | | | for 17 minutes. Drain, salt and serve. |
| sensations. Eat potatoes in moderation if you are | | | | Excerpted from The Champagne Taste/Beer Budget |
| dieting, but do try some of the potato recipes | | | | Cookbook. |
| offered [in The Champagne taste/Beer Budget | | | | |