Growing up, we had grilled steak fairly often.When Piggly Wiggly put whole ribeyes on sale, Mama and Daddy would buy one and have them cut to one-inch thick steaks, individually wrapped to be put in the freezer.   However, the star of the show was the Mommy-Made’s...not the steak. There was never one fry left, and Mama used to always say, “Well, I guess I didn’t make enough Mommy-Made’s did I?” This was probably everyone in my family's favorite thing Mama cooked.


6 medium white or red boiling potatoes

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper

4 cups cooking oil

2 tablespoons flour


Thoroughly scrub and wash potatoes.  With a sharp knife, square off the potato cutting off the rounded edges.  Slice into ¼-inch slabs then slice into ¼-inch fries. Don’t waste the rounded edges you cut off; slice them as well into ¼-inch fries. Put the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and cover with cold water.  Sprinkle the salt and pepper into the water.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.  Pat dry before frying. In a bowl, toss potatoes lightly in flour and shake off excess.  Allow to dry for approximately 15-20 minutes  In a deep-fryer or cast-iron Dutch oven, heat the oil to 375°F. Carefully drop the drained potatoes into the hot oil and fry until light brown, about 15 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the potatoes to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt while hot, if desired.  Bring the oil back to 375°F before frying remaining potatoes.  Keep the first batch of fries hot in a 150°F oven while you fry and drain the second batch.  Serve piping hot.


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