This Is Us ends its first heart-wrenching season tomorrow, and it will no doubt be an event that requires comfort food. I knew the second the episode where Kevin [SPOILER] starts to try to get Sophie back that I would need to explore this concept of lava fries, especially ones that have the power to make an ex-wife take a seat instead of walking out in the MORNING. My first thought was that Kevin for sure does not eat fries, but creative license. My first FOOD thought was that they are probably chili fries, but that is pretty played out and the concept of them kind of grosses me out. I thought that they needed a little spice and maybe even a bit of a makeover, so I baked the fries for hot oil-avoidance and explored the best complementing flavors possible. Also I meant to add parmesan cheese before the pics and forgot but just know it is MUCH SUGGESTED.
So, brb while I go punish myself and watch the finale and cry into these fries forever.
I switched bowls because I was using my immersion blender and it didn't work in the red one, but this should be done in a food processor. I couldn't use my Nutribullet because you have to add the oil while blending.
Lava Fries
inspired by This Is Us season 1, episode 14
serves about 4
fries
- 3 lbs russet potatoes
- 4tbsp-1/8 cup vegetable or canola oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- garlic powder to taste, about 1/8 tsp
- old bay seasoning to taste
Cut potatoes into fries and place in a large bowl. Cover the potatoes with cold water and fill to two inches extra. I soaked the potatoes whole, it really doesn't matter. Soak for at least 2.5-3 hours but up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 400º. Drain the potatoes, pat them dry, dry the bowl and place them back into the bowl. Toss the fries with oil, and a little salt and pepper. Line up the fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet or two. Bake for 45 minutes, toss them around and bake for another 15 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and soft but not soggy on the inside, you know, like a typical fry.
Let cool a little and toss with more salt and pepper, garlic powder and old bay. Use whatever seasonings sound good to you!
recipe adapted from Delish.
garlic chips
4 cloves of garlic, about 1/4 cup sliced
1/2 cup canola oil
Heat oil and sliced garlic together in a pan over medium heat, stirring frequently until the garlic has turned golden brown. Strain and place the chips on a paper towel to absorb the oil. Reserve oil to use later if you want, I actually used it for the fries. Make sure to remove from heat as soon as they start to turn or they'll get a little burned like mine did a teeny bit.
spicy mayo
- 1 large egg yolk at room temperature
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp very cold water
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup cold vegetable oil (refrigerated)
- 1 1/2 tbsp hot sauce (I used Frank's of course)
- 1/8 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- cayenne and black pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or using an immersion blender for about 5-10 seconds until mixed. Add coil oil in a slow, steady stream while the food processor is going. The mixture should immediately become thick and mayonnaise-y. Blend until the oil is completely incorporated. Taste and adjust any of the ingredients to taste as needed. For more certainty on the flavor, leave the hot sauce, cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder and black pepper until the plain mayo tastes how you want and stir in the rest.
plain mayo recipe from Buzzfeed (flavor by me).
ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream or substitution made from 1/2 cup milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (I used the one I had just made)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp chives, chopped
- 1 clove garlic
Whisk together buttermilk, mayo, lemon juice salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir in chives and whole garlic. Remove the garlic before serving.
recipe from Delish.
additional ingredients
- chives
- parmesan cheese (which I forgot to add for the pics because I was so excited to eat them)
Assemble all the parts to taste and enjoy!
[made while watching American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson.]
Fries you eat with a FORK. Or you can assume that's what she's eating since we saw him order...