I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

French fries are a popular potato snack worldwide. There are many different variations of French fries, and they can be served with a number of different condiments, including ketchup, mayonnaise, and vinegar, just to name a few. But unless you live in Canada, gravy and cheese are less common as French-fry toppings.

Poutine is a popular Canadian snack that originated in the province of Quebec. In this preparation, French fries are served with brown gravy and cheese curds. I tried to re-create this dish by using my favorite local cheese. Moreover, I made a homemade gravy.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• French fries, store-bought
• Gravy, homemade (see recipe below)
• Any kind of cheese, shredded

Gravy Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 5 grams chicken bouillon
• 5 grams beef bouillon

Instructions

1. Pour a generous amount of oil into a frying pan.
2. Heat the oil before frying the fries. Begin cooking the fries (follow the package instructions).
3. Once the first batch of fries is halfway cooked, remove them from the heat. Use a strainer with a bowl or plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. Set aside.
4. Continue cooking the next batches of fries. Repeat the same procedure.
5. After finishing all batches, refry all the fries. This time, cook everything all the way through, or until golden brown. Again, use a strainer with a bowl or plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. While waiting for the fries to be thoroughly cooked, start making the gravy. Set aside.
7. Assemble the poutine. Place cooked fries on a plate. Top with cheese, then drizzle gravy on top.
8. Serve while still hot.

Tips and Techniques for Making Poutine

• The double-frying technique imparts a crunchier texture to fried foods.
• Replace the cheese curds with any cheese available.
• Use you may use a store-bought gravy, if you prefer.
• Longer cooking time is required when using fresh potatoes for French fries.
• Frying under the right oil temperature makes fries less greasy.

French Fries Around the World

• How to Cook Currywurst: A German-Inspired Snack
  If you love sausage and French fries, you'll love this German-inspired dish called currywurst.
• Patso: A Turkish-Inspired Sandwich
  Do you love French fries? Try my version of Turkish patso, a sandwich stuffed with fries.

© 2018 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on November 21, 2018:

Hi Liz,

What I like about in different places in Europe are the variations of fries. Like gyros in Greece or pommes frites with satay sauce in Amsterdam. Obviously, I love fries since it's the easiest meal I can buy while roaming around the place. LOL

Liz Westwood from UK on November 21, 2018:

I had chips (fries/pommes frites) with mayonaise in Belgium for the first time many years ago.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on November 20, 2018:

Hello Liz,

I was about to say about the curry sauce a while ago. I think that's one of the most popular in UK. It's actually one of my favorites as well. The first I had it in Belgium, I fell in love with that sauce.

Liz Westwood from UK on November 20, 2018:

It is an option and is usually chips(English fries) with gravy on its own or with a meat pie. Another variation is chips (fries) with curry sauce.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on November 20, 2018:

Hi Liz,

I haven't tried chips and gravy in UK. Is it the usual whenever you eat steak fries or is there any other recipe for that? Anyway, I hope you try this recipe as it taste so good with the gravy and cheese.

Liz Westwood from UK on November 20, 2018:

Chips and gravy is usually on the menu in English fish and chip shops. But adding cheese makes it different.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on November 19, 2018:

Hello Pamela,

Double frying will give that crunchiness outside. It may be time-consuming but worth it.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on November 19, 2018:

This sounds like another interesting recipe. I have never cooked french fries twice, but this may be well worthwhile. Thanks.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on November 19, 2018:

Hi Mary,

Cheese curds are Quebec's pride when it comes to their food. No doubt that poutine became popular all over the world.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on November 19, 2018:

Cheese curds in Quebec are the best. We have tried other cheese curds but they're not the same.