A professional chef has shared a surprisingly simple culinary trick that promises to elevate your homemade chips to restaurant-quality perfection. The secret, he claims, lies in treating your chips like Sunday roast potatoes and using one special ingredient.
The Game-Changing Chip Method
While many home cooks resort to oven chips or the air fryer for convenience, achieving that ideal combination of a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior can be elusive. Deep frying often results in greasy, soggy chips, while baking can leave them lacking a satisfying crunch.
However, chef Harrison Webb took to social media to demonstrate his foolproof technique. In an Instagram video posted recently, he showed viewers how to create chips with a texture reminiscent of perfect roasties. His method begins with parboiling sliced potatoes until they are fork-tender, then draining and allowing them to cool slightly.
The Secret Ingredient Revealed
The pivotal step in Webb's recipe is the fat used for roasting. While most people reach for vegetable or sunflower oil, Webb advocates for a generous glug of goose fat. This rich fat, traditionally used for roast potatoes, adds a profound depth of flavour and promotes an exceptional, golden crunch.
After coating the parboiled potato sticks thoroughly in the melted goose fat, they are roasted in a hot oven until irresistibly golden and crisp. The result, showcased in his video, had online viewers captivated. The audible crunch as Webb sampled a chip left commenters in awe, with many pledging to try the method immediately.
How to Recreate the Perfect Homemade Chips
Follow this step-by-step guide to achieve crispy, fluffy chips at home.
1. Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and peel your potatoes (peeling is optional). Cut them into even-sized sticks or wedges.
2. Soak to Remove Starch: Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step draws out excess starch, which is key for maximum crispiness. Drain and pat them completely dry with a clean towel.
3. Parboil: Parboil the potato sticks in salted water until just tender when pierced with a fork, usually for about 5-10 minutes. Drain well and let them steam dry for a few minutes.
4. The Key Step - Add Fat: Preheat your oven to 220°C (Gas Mark 7). Place a generous amount of goose fat in a sturdy roasting tin and heat it in the oven until hot. Carefully add the dried potatoes, tossing them to ensure every piece is coated in the hot fat. Season well.
5. Roast to Perfection: Spread the chips in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes. Turn them over and roast for a further 10-15 minutes until they are deeply golden and crispy all over.
6. Alternative Cooking Methods: For air fryer chips, preheat to 190°C, cook in a single layer for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
The reaction online was overwhelmingly positive. One impressed viewer commented, "They must taste delicious!", while another simply declared the tip "Genius!". This chef-approved hack proves that with one simple ingredient swap, the humble homemade chip can be transformed into a truly decadent side dish or snack.
