In the olden days, I used to buy the imported pack of potato fries that are ready to cook. But when my husband called my attention that it is expensive, it got me thinking. For the same weight of frozen potato fries, the fresh potatoes cost less than half. Naturally, my husband exclaimed, because that frozen stuff is imported. And he was right on that. So even if it laborious to peel the potatoes and cut into strips, we have to make an effort in exchange for the savings that we get. And not only that, the fresh potatoes from the market is real fresh and no preservative.
Locally there was a sale at Safeway supermarket 2/$5 frozen fries now this is cheap for 1.5-2 lbs. of frozen fries! I usually get my frozen potatoes of 2 lbs. at Walmart for just 2.74. It was just 1.74 then the company gave everyone a raise and it went up to 2.74, but it's still cheap. Regularly 2 lbs. of frozen potatoes cost $4-5.50 approximately. I like yukon gold potatoes to cook and eat. This little spud goes for 1.99 regularly and on sale 1.39 or .99. I like the buttery flavor yukon gold potatoes which is good for diabetic people too because it has less starch. For me frozen is cheaper.
Fresh potatoes are so much better than the frozen ones. I have a cutter, Just two or three swipes and it turns a potato into a pile of french fries. Works so good. It is called a V-slicer and is good for many different vegetable cuts. We picked up a Fry Daddy for for $2 several years ago and that is what we use to fry them. They are so delicious!!
I like both, fresh potatoes for roasting and mash, but frozen is handy for curly fries and hash browns which take much longer to cook. Often these are handier when I cook for myself and just want a handful as it is cheaper, and takes less time to prepare. I do only buy them when they are special though, because they are more expensive in the long run.
I like to purchase frozen fries for their readiness to cook but fresh potatoes don't have the limitations of frozen fries so I do keep potatoes on hand. The one drawback of frozen fries is that I reach for them more often so they are not in the freezer for very long. Potatoes on the other hand last longer because of the effort it takes for just preparing them.
Both are pretty cheap if you ask me. @Corhenz if you leave some of the potato peel on while frying you will have more nutrition, and not as much work for yourself. It tastes fine, and is honestly how many restaurants serve their fries these days. I think that the homemade fries are higher in calories though because they have to really soak in the oil, and you feel compelled to eat alot because you are going to all of the trouble of making them. Frozen fries, it seems easier to make a small serving.
I opted to choose fresh potatoes instead of packed fries as well. My son can eat a lot of it as long as there is no salt. He doesn't like salt on his fries. We easily have access to fresh ones from the backyard of my aunt. Fries is a favorite snack so I fry them up a lot.
I love potatoes. I love potato fries. I liked packed potato chips and fries, I live frozen potato fries as well as fresh potato fries. I have tried to make frozen potato fries but I cannot make is as good as it should be.I find it easier to make fries from fresh potato. It is hygienic and tastes better.
For me the real expense of cooking fries at home is in the oil and not really the potatoes. Not only does it cost a good amount to use that much oil for just one toe of food item but also at the same time you are making too much of a mess and the time and effort it takes to manage hot oil before,during , and after use is really too much effort that I am not willing to deal with so I usually just order fries from restaurants. I guess the most I'd consider making something homemade is when I know I'll be consuming a lot of them like when I'm preparing for a house party then I would consider it to be worth the trouble.
I don't cook fresh cut and fried potatoes nearly as much as I used to. I think it's because I hate my kitchen, and everything is a chore in there. I will often opt for instant or ready made foods more than I did in the past, simply because I don't like being in the kitchen for a long period of time. I don't eat french fries all that often, but I would make them for a special treat in the past. I don't mind the peeling and chopping, but because there's a serious lack of counter space in this kitchen, I have cut myself several times when the cutting board has slipped, so I shy away from doing much from scratch, other than smaller meals. I buy the generic bags of frozen fries, and they usually cost just over a dollar, so it's worth it for me, since they last longer than regular potatoes.
I don't tend to eat much potato anyway, so it really depends on whether I'm likely to use up all the potatoes I bought whether or not I'll buy fresh or just buy frozen french fries if that's what I'm planning to make. The fries will last much longer in the freezer than the potatoes will generally. That being said though, it's much healthier to buy fresh potatoes. If I can I'll buy an individual potato and use that to make fries, but most stores here only seem to want to sell big bags that I don't get through fast enough rather than individually, unless I can get to a larger supermarket.
You peel a bunch of fresh potatoes, slice them into several pieces and afterwards fries the pieces inside a pan filled with the oil of your preference (I personally like corn or olive). When fried, a bit of salt ad butter and done! You will never taste something like this in any cheap fast food store.
That definitely looks good which made me salivate. However, salt is not in my menu anymore since I was diagnosed with kidney stones. But I agree with the butter although for me, I use melted butter as a dip for the potatoes. Our fries are usually the plain potatoes, peeled and cut into strips then deep friend in canola oil. Upon harvesting, we try to drain the fries of cooking oil before serving.
