French-style potatoes: A simple yet elegant take on a classic

French cuisine is often associated with exquisite dishes and expensive ingredients. However, this perception is not entirely true. France also boasts many dishes that are easy to recreate, impressive in taste, and made with ingredients readily available from local greengrocers. French-style potatoes are a prime example.

Potatoes are beloved worldwide, though they are rarely linked to French cuisine. This doesn't mean the French do not enjoy them; they simply approach them differently. In France, potatoes are usually not treated as a mere side dish but are prepared in simple yet impressive ways.

An easier method

In French cuisine, the most well-known potato dish is gratin dauphinois. This involves baking thin slices of potatoes in cream, occasionally with cheese and always with fresh herbs. It's a fairly demanding recipe, considered a classic of French cuisine. Nonetheless, French-style potatoes can also be made through a slightly easier process.

My family adores French-style potatoes, which are coated in an aromatic batter and then fried in a hot pan, creating a delightful, crispy crust. These potatoes are best served as the main component of a meal, not just a side. Fresh vegetables should accompany them. The French believe that a green salad with an aromatic vinaigrette dressing pairs perfectly with these potatoes, making the dish both simple and exquisite.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of potatoes,
• 1 egg,
• 3 tablespoons of thick yoghurt,
• 3 tablespoons of plain 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. Pre-cook them in lightly salted water. They should be just parboiled, so 6-7 minutes is enough.
3. Remove them from the water and set them aside to cool.
4. Mix the yoghurt with the egg. Add garlic, ground paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Then add the sifted flour and mix everything thoroughly.
5. Dip the potatoes in the batter, then fry them in hot oil on both sides until browned.
6. Place the cooked French-style potatoes on a plate lined with paper towels.
7. Serve with a green salad.