Poutine (French Fries with Gravy and Cheese Curds)
The province's gastronomic achievements may reach dizzying heights, but Quebec may forever be known as the place where poutine began. An unabashedly savory collage of french-fried potatoes, beef gravy, and squeaky-fresh cheese curds, it's perhaps the ultimate late-night snack. This recipes comes to us from Toronto, Ontario native and kitchen assistant Anne-Marie White.
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Credit: Maxime Iattoni
INGREDIENTS
4 lb. russet potatoes, skin-on, washed and dried
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
¼ cup flour
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups beef stock
2 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tbsp. whole green peppercorns
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil, for frying
2 cups cheddar cheese curds
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut potatoes into lengths of about ¼" x ¼" x 4". Place in a large bowl, cover with cold water, and refrigerate for about 2 hours.2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add shallot and garlic, and cook, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add stock, ketchup, vinegar, peppercorns, Worcestershire, and salt and pepper, and bring to a boil; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, and keep gravy warm.
3. Pour oil to a depth of 3" in a 6-qt. Dutch oven, and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 325°. Drain potatoes, and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Working in small batches, add potatoes and fry, tossing occasionally, until tender and slightly crisp, about 4 minutes.
4. Drain on paper towels, and let cool for 20 minutes. Increase temperature to medium-high, and heat oil until it reads 375°. Working in small batches, return potatoes to oil, and fry, tossing occasionally, until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer fries to paper towels to drain briefly, and then divide among serving bowls. Pour gravy over each serving of fries, and top with cheese curds; serve immediately.
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 Recipe - Saveur.com){kind=link}
I can deal with fries that have gravy on them - used to do that a lot, but the cheese curds (what are fresh cheddar cheese curds anyway?) don't do it for me, but maybe someday I'll try it if I go visiting up north.
Poutines Rapees http://www.cajuncookingrecipes.com/canadian/canadian53.htm
Late night snack? Only if you want to be obese.
Mad chef: Not ricotta or cottage cheese.
The cheese used is white cheddar curds. You should be able to get them from any cheese store.
The softer cheese won't work or taste the same. These curds are much larger than cottage cheese ... each
curd fits just right in your mouth.
They melt as cheddar does and leaves the cheese just right. Taste exactly like cheddar.
Poutine made right is delicious.
I have though never heard of Worcestershire sauce in the gravy. In fact everyone that I have had is just plain
gravy, no garlic, no ketchup.
I think this is Saveur's way of dressing it up.
Here in Canada you are able to buy it in a can if you wish.
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie