Popular ways fries are enjoyed around the globe
Following is a transcript of the video.
Abby Narishkin: Though we may never know where the first potato was sliced and fried, with both France and Belgium claiming ownership, the creation of fries made an impact worldwide. We'll explore the popular accompaniments to fries that make them unique in places around the world.
Patatje oorlog, or war fries, are fries topped with mayonnaise, thick peanut satay sauce, and diced raw onions. It's no mystery that Americans love bacon. Bacon is so popular that it's likely to be put on everything. Burgers, drinks; they even have bacon-wrapped foods. A similar sentiment exists for American fries, which are topped with cheese and, of course, bacon.
Patatas bravas are cube-shaped fried potatoes tossed in or topped with bravas sauce. Bravas sauce is a combination of oil, spicy and sweet smoked paprika, cornstarch, and broth. However, there are many variations, like using tomato sauce or hot sauce to achieve the red color and thick consistency. Patatas bravas is typically served as an appetizer or side dish.
Moules frites can be best described as a Belgian dish with a French name. The combination of mussels and fries in Belgium is just as popular as fish and chips in the UK. Thanks to the completion of the Willebroek Canal in 1561, seafood flowed readily into the heart of Belgium daily, with mussels being a cheap alternative when fish supply was low in the wintertime.
In Belgium and France, as well as many European countries, mayonnaise works better than the acidic nature of ketchup that often accompanies fries in other parts of the world. Both countries use a double-frying technique in animal fat. The first round softens and cooks the potatoes, and the second round creates a crispy outer layer. Mayonnaise is thick, creamy, and fatty, and this works well with crunchy, warm fries.
Though born in Quebec, this Canadian snack can be found almost anywhere in the country. Poutine is fries topped with white cheddar cheese curds covered in warm gravy. Fresh cheese is highly important for many people in Quebec. It has a milder taste and a softer texture from the presence of moisture, which is great for melting and eating with fries. This national dish is one many people may recognize.
Fish and chips is battered fish and fries. Many Brits value a crispy-on-the-outside, flaky-on-the-inside fish, and chips that are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, seasoned with salt and vinegar. Popular accompaniments to the dish are mushy peas, pickled onions, and curry sauce.
Because of English rule over India for almost a century, curry and curry chips are extremely popular in Irish and English cuisine. Irish curry sauce is a milder, sweeter version of curry, but many people in Ireland and the UK also eat their chips with Chinese takeaway curry sauce, which is a bit more savory.
Originating in Lima, Peru, salchipapas is a popular street food. Fries are topped with thinly sliced hot dogs and can be garnished with cheese or fried egg. Some popular sauce choices are mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and aji.
Salchipapas is now widely popular in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and other neighboring Latin American countries. The Finnish dish makkaraperunat is fries topped with sausages. Accompaniments include diced pickles and onions, ketchup, mustard, and sometimes mayonnaise.
Chipsi mayai is one of Tanzania's most popular street foods. It's basically a fries omelet. It's typically served with a side of kachumbari and chili peppers or chili sauce. Because this dish is easy to make, you can customize it to your liking. Swap in sweet potatoes, add onions and peppers to the omelet mixture, or add meat.
These fries are a specialty in parts of Kenya. To create the masala, you need tomato paste or sauce and a mixture of spices like coriander, cumin, and chili powder. You mix the fries in the sauce and end up with spicy, flavorful fries. There are also variations that mix dry spices with cornstarch to coat the fries before frying.
Patso is a Turkish fry sandwich. The local street food is not only popular; it's affordable, with one patso being under $1. The sandwich stuffed with fries can come with cheese, meat, and toppings like ketchup and mayonnaise.
A Cuban frita is a burger topped with julienned or shoestring fries sandwiched between a Cuban bun. Because of Cuba's proximity to cities in Florida, Miami has become a hub of Cuban fritas. Places like El Rey de las Fritas have mastered the recipe and continue to bring this delicious burger and fry combination to their customers.
A standard gyro in Greece includes tzatziki, meat, tomatoes, onions, and fries. It's a popular street food enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The Greek word gyro is used to describe the circling motion of the rotisserie that holds the meat.
Though the history is highly debated and unclear, gyros likely came into popularity in the 1920s and then spread to places outside of Greece, like the US. While the dispute may never be settled about who first fried a potato, we can appreciate a great fry and the amazing condiments, toppings, and pairings it comes with. Let us know in the comments below how you enjoy your fries.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in September 2020.