636. Canadian Poutine

The joys of a good batch of french fries are never to be underestimated.
They make everything better: as a side, in a sandwich, or even as a meal in its entirety!

I already know how delicious extra-crispy french fries are when squirted with fresh lemon juice and extra salt, or with some green butter melted over it, or topped with thick melted cheese, and of course when used to sop up gravy from a roasted chicken or lamb. What I did not know was that there was this secretly famous Canadian dish named poutine which is french fries, soaked in gravy, and optionally topped with cheese. I was smitten and had to try it. My partner in crime opted out of the cheese, but next time, cheese it is for me! Just remember to eat as soon as the gravy is poured to enjoy the crispy-saucy texture.
Note that for me, it is never worth making fries from scratch at home. All that soaking, the double frying at different temperatures put me off. I unashamedly used frozen fries that reasonably require being fried a single time for the perfect crisp exterior and fluffy interior.

Ingredients:

4 cups french fries
4 Tbsp butter
¼ cup flour
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3 cups beef stock
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup grated cheddar cheese, optional

Method:

Heat butter in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add flour and onion and garlic powders, and cook, stirring, until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Add stock, ketchup, vinegar, salt and pepper, and Worcestershire, and bring to a boil; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, and keep gravy warm.
Cook french fries and salt them.
Pour gravy over the serving of fries, and top with cheese if using; serve immediately.

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