French fries are an American classic that are most often served with--you guessed it--ketchup. But other, less common, condiments complement these deep-fried potato treats. Look to other parts of the world for inspiration, from Britain to Romania. A new condiment can turn your fries from everyday to high-end cuisine. Check out what Cutter Automotive Galleries recommends:
- Vinegar
In the United Kingdom, the populace uses malt vinegar for their French fries; the fries, though, are referred to as chips. The chips are lightly salted just after cooking, and the vinegar is sprinkled across the mounded potatoes. The taste is light and tangy, and works well with a main dish of breaded and deep-fried fish—hence the traditional British fast food treat, fish and chips.
- Mayonnaise
Creamy, cool mayonnaise may not seem compatible with the oilier, starchy taste of French fries, but residents in Belgium routinely enjoy this combination. Like malt vinegar, the mayo adds tang to the fries, but it's far less pronounced. The creaminess of the mayo provides the same texture as ketchup, but is less sweet. If the mayo is a little too mild for your palette, mix in a little chili powder or horseradish. Mayo and horseradish is a pleasant combination of cool and hot, creamy and grainy, and adds a middle-European flair to the fries.
- Mustard
If you're serving barbeque, offer a brown spicy mustard as a condiment for the French fries. Robust in flavor and visually enticing, brown mustard gives fries an upscale appeal and a flavorful contrast to the barbeque sauce. The spicy mustard may be a bit much for those used to sweet ketchup, though. Add a little creamy mayonnaise to the condiment tray and let your guests experiment with just the right mix of smooth and grainy.
- Salad dressing
The rich taste of ranch dressing brings out the starchy flavor of fries and smoothes out the oilier aspect of the deep-fried food. If this dressing is too calorific for your taste, try an oil-and-vinegar Italian salad dressing. Place a little bowl on the side and dip the fries in; this gives you more control over the flavor and caloric intake. Yet another salad dressing option is Thousand Island, a sweet and spicy dressing based on mayonnaise and chili powder.
- Garlic sauce
Garlic paste and oil make up this pungent sauce, known as mujdei in Romania, where it is served as a condiment for French fries. The sauce is quite strong, and more closely resembles a paste than a sauce. Thin the sauce by whisking in water or vinegar. Pair mujdei with French fries if serving garlic-infused chicken or fish; the sauce ties the two courses together.
