French burgers with the easiest French fries. A method for French fries that starts in cold oil, and only requires one fry!
I’ve made two grave mistakes in the kitchen lately, and I just can’t help but think another one is right around the corner. Everything happens in threes, right?
My first mistake was to make that healthy alfredo sauce recipe that uses cauliflower instead of cream. The recipe has been floating around the internet lately. Can you say ‘yuck with a side of yuck sprinkled with yuck?!’ If I wanted something with the texture of gritty hummus on my pasta, I’d stir sand into hummus instead.
I’m still mourning the beautiful head of golden cauliflower from the farmer’s market that was wasted. Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables (after artichokes), but even this sauce was inedible.
My second kitchen mistake involved cheese. I didn’t know that one could make a bad choice in the cheese aisle. I mean, besides Limburger, right? The other day, I bought reduced fat Brie. What was I thinking? It was a domestic Brie, too. I think I finally figured out what it tastes like…rubber bands. The texture isn’t too different either. I figured someone who eats enough goat cheese for a family of four each week (guilty, party of one) should take it easy on the cheese. Never again. I’d rather have two bites of the good stuff---the triple crème stuff---than a whole wedge of light Brie.
Easiest French Fries:
These chicken burgers (when topped with regular full-fat Brie) are definitely not a mistake. They're flavored with lemon zest, tarragon, and Cornichons (tiny, herby French pickles). The melted Brie on top is like walking into a bakery before closing and being the recipient of all the unsold baked goods for the day. (Perfect is the word I was going for there).
If you're not a pickle lover, you can leave out the Cornichons--they're still delicious. I piled all these delicious French flavors on a baguette and declared it the Frenchiest burger in the world.
All that was missing was French fries for two and two cold beers.
So, this French fry recipe is life-changing. The recipe comes from my friends at America's Test Kitchen in their new book The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook. They call it 'Easier French Fries' because it eliminates the need to double fry and the need for a thermometer.
The recipe is a bit unusual, but I get perfect fries every time.
I've probably made this French fry recipe 10 times or so. You place fresh-cut Yukon gold potatoes in cold oil, and then bring it up to a boil. After the fries have been cooking at a rolling boil for 5 minutes, stir, and continue frying for another 20-25 minutes, stirring twice, until golden brown. That's it.
I like to think of myself as the queen of fried foods (see my Graham Cracker Fried Chicken to verify my aristocracy).
So when I find an easier method for frying, I'm all over it. I whipped up a quick mayo-tarragon dipping sauce and happily devoured the French fries. Yes, I'm one of those people that dips their French fries in mayo, and I'm terribly sorry for it. You can use ketchup if you like (more mayo for me!)
If you're up for making your own burger buns, my homemade brioche buns are so good here! So soft and fluffy!
French Chicken Burgers Easy French Fries
Yummy chicken burgers served with homemade fries.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh chopped tarragon
- zest from ½ a lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Cornichon pickles, finely diced
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ pound lean ground chicken
- 2 ounces of Brie, sliced
- half a baguette, sliced in half
- 2 large leaves of lettuce
- mayonnaise for bun
- cherry tomatoes, for garnish
- extra Cornichon pickles, for garnish
- 1 ½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes (do not substitute another kind of potato!)
- 3 cups peanut or vegetable oil (do not substitute another kind of oil!)
- kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the tarragon, lemon zest, olive oil, pickles, salt and black pepper. Mix well. Add the ground chicken, and mix until combined, but do not over-mix.
- Divide the mixture into 2 round patties, and refrigerate while the grill heats.
- Oil a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grease the grates. When you can hold you hand 4" above the grates for only a few seconds before it gets too hot, the grill is ready.
- Place the burgers on the grill and do not touch them for at least 5 minutes. Close the grill (or loosely drape with foil if you're using a grill pan indoors).
- Flip the burgers, and then divide the sliced Brie on top of each burger. Leave the grill open and continue cooking until the burgers register at least 165°F, about 5 minutes.
- Serve the burgers on the sliced baguette with lettuce, mayo, cherry tomatoes, and extra Cornichons.
- Prep the potatoes by squaring off the sides to make them perfect rectangles (no need to peel them). Then, slice each potato into ¼" planks. Stack the planks, and then slice into ¼" batons that resemble the typical French fry shape.
- Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes and oil. Turn the heat to high, and bring the oil up to a boil. Once at a rolling boil, boil for 5 minutes.
- Next, gently stir the potatoes to ensure they're not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue to fry another 12-14 minutes, until the exteriors are starting to firm.
- Gently stir again, and then fry another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oil and place on the wire rack. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately. Do not make ahead of time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1431Total Fat: 67gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 45gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 1878mgCarbohydrates: 141gFiber: 15gSugar: 15gProtein: 76g
Jessica says
Great pictures! I love the use of baguette as a bun for this fancy burgers and the french fries are so golden...
Kim | a little lunch says
So that's where all the goat cheese went... ;) (My small town grocers don't carry it (wahhhh) so I have to make a trip to the 'big city' to get it.) I'm anxious to try this frying method -- beats heating up the house for 'oven fries' -- and your burgers look fabulous!
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shirley says
I love anything French. These burgers look wonderful. I will try them.
I like mayo with my fries, but lately I've been dipping them in sour cream and like it way more. Out of this world. You can add chopped green onions, herbs, spices, or anything else. It's the creaminess and tang I love.
And I will try those burgers. But I don't eat deep fried foods anymore and haven't for years but oven fries work well, too.
Penny says
Cheese is my nemesis. It was the only thing worth following the Atkins diet for. Okay - that and the bacon and the steaks and the eggs!!!! Another weakness is fries (or chips, as we call them over here (England). I've never heard of this method before but I am definitely trying this way for supper this evening! Oh - mayonnaise & chips/fries? Have been eating mine this way for about 20 years!! I've seen lots of "just like fried fries but in the oven" recipes on Pinterest and they are SO NOT! So anything that cant ake away some some of the guilt is definitely worth a visit! I will let you know how I get on.
Love your recipes, and have tried a few. And love the way you write! Keep up the great work!
Best wishes, Penny
Christina Lane says
Thanks so much, Penny! It's so nice to 'meet' you and hear from you. Yes, oven fries can be good, but they're not fries, ya know? Or, chips as you say. This method is my favorite. Best of luck! And thanks for the kind words :)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
healthy alfredo sauce is just WRONG on so many levels haha, but I forgive you since you made these burgers! I'll take the burgers, the fries and the beer!
Stefanie - Sarcastic Cooking says
Just did this frying method tonight and it was delicious and super easy! Thanks girl!
Christina Lane says
Thanks for letting me know, Stefanie :) <3
Sandra Roberts says
Had these for lunch today WOW WOW WOW!!!!! I have a comment on low fat foods! AVOID THEM I had thyroid cancer and they removed my thyroid I spent the next 6 years eating 98% low fat things and unless they are Naturally Low or fat free throw it in the trash. Not only did I gain 150 pounds eating this junk I developed other health issues from them. Now I eat Healthy but not deprived since if I eat fatty stuff that is supposed to be fatty and I have lost half the weight I gained in the last year!! My health is returning and I love food again. I use Real Butter I use Heavy cream I am a complete cheese head and eat probably 3x what most people do but none of it is "low fat" unless it is supposed to be that way to begin with and I doubt any of it is. Your Blog is awesome for me since I have been cooking for a family of ten for most of my life now it's just me and hubby and you saved us from endless leftovers. I tried to join your mailing list but it keeps telling me to add my email even though I already had
Christina Lane says
What a great story, Sandra! Thanks for sharing! And I'm so glad you're okay now! Nice to meet you :)