Sometimes a guy needs French … Freedom Fries.
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“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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That plate is misleading as to its contents.
Sometimes?! Lol
See, here’s a time where “saying the black” just confuses the people…
In the summer of 2003 I went on a picnic with some friends. One of them picked up a loaf of French break at the supermarket. The plastic bag containing the break had “French Bread” printed on it. Over this the supermarket had pasted a label reading “Freedom Bread”. Seriously.
I think it’s arguable that the French may have rehabilitated themselves somewhat under Sarkozy. Somewhat.
In my hurly-burly days I was a big fan of Freedom Kissing.
Oooo, they look great!
James Joseph! I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked! I feel a case of the vapors coming on.
Fr., at the risk of seeming boorish, may I ask whether you deep-fried or baked them? I ask because we don’t have a deep-fryer, and these look pretty good. If you baked them, I’d be interested in hearing your recipe/process.
Freedom Fries? I had hoped to never hear that ridiculous phrase again. Forgive me, those of you who are partial to it, I know you are in distinguished company….but what utter nonsense!
If we didn’t resort to playing “Freedom Roulette” during the Cold War, then what in the h-e-double toothpicks was this about?
Political correctness is not less silly because it has conservative roots instead of liberal ones.
PS Cook’s Illustrated has a great method for making french fries.
http://domesticagenda.blogspot.com/2009/07/cooks-illustrated-cold-oil-french-fries.html
Homemade? :) Mmm!
Vivent la Belgique et la France!
Sometimes ladies need them as well. After eating a salad for lunch (not because I wanted it, but because it is what I *should* eat), I stole three fries from my 10 year old – with permission. I would have taken more if I could have gotten away with it….
Hurrah!!
Father, this is the first item that you have made that I know I can cook! (I ran the deep fryer at our parish bingo kitchen) I can’t explain why, but I feel great about it!
BTW, very nice looking frys. Well done, sir.
BLB Oregon
Given that “political correctness” is defined by websters as: “conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated”, I’m not sure if you could characterize the phrase “Freedom Fries” as being motivated by political correctness.
Fr. Z, if a fellow priest at the same table says, “LOOK”, while pointing out of the window at the bird feeder, better put your hands over your plate of fries before you look. ;0)
My mortal weakness. How I pray there are FRENCH fries in heaven!!!
They’re fine, I’m sure. But potatoes O’Brien are the real deal.
If you don’t like thinking of the French, next time eat like your allies and cook proper (English) chips.
For those who haven’t tried it, cut them much thicker than fries (half an inch square cross-section), then deep-fry twice in dripping (hotter the second time), patting dry in between. Drain, sprinkle with salt & vinegar, and eat.
Or for a real guilty treat, the chip butty. Chips as above, then put hot into a buttered soft bread roll (good dense bread with a soft crust). There’s something about the combination that is irresistable (and something about mixing two carbohydrates and two animal fats that infuriates the dietitians).
semperficatholic:
In truth, I am not happier today than a bird with a french fry, but it is a great aspiration.
Of course, all the Anglophiles here harbor an unreasonable hatred for the French.
Anyone who isn’t insane, of course, prefers French cuisine (chocolate mousse) to English (kidney pie…yum…lol)
:-) I like that, Father: a bird with a French fry is very happy indeed!
The best “fries” are just sliced potatoes fried in bacon grease. Then again, what food isn’t better when fried in bacon grease?
Please leave the French out of this… it was the Belgians who invented “pommes frites” :-)
MichaelJ, I have to disagree with your assessment.
I submit that the term “Freedom Fries” was invented by political types who were accomodating the sensibilities of constituents who were finding anything even remotely “French” uniquely offensive in and of itself. After all, the connection between french fries and France is about as remote as it gets.
The fries were innocent*, the name was innocent. The term was not intended as a poke in the eye of the French, so much as a way of accomodating the sensibilities of those who were mad at France. A more political example of political correctness would be hard to find.
(*I suppose they can be a guilty pleasure, but the name change doesn’t address that!)
Being that I am of Louisiana French descent. I feel duty bound to remind everyone that if it were not for the French, it is doubtful that the colonists would have prevailed in the revolutionary war… Jus sayin
I am sorry Fr Z is unhappy lately. I prayed for you Fr Z.
muckemdanno,
No, no, all the best anglophiles prefer French cooking : ) !
Freedom!
danielinnola, when people go on and on about how “we saved France” in WWII I remind them that we were repaying the kindness done for us during our Revolution. Ditto Poland.
I have no potatoes to fry in this fight! 8-)
Fr. Z. I have been wondering if you might be a little sad, hence not feeling like cooking which you normally love to do. Maybe you are one of those folks who is affected by changes in day length. So, have more fries! Put tartar sauce on them (a hint from a former co-worker from Korea)! And don’t forget ice cream!
A few things:
1.“French” refers to the way the potatoes are cut- i.e. “frenched” fried potatoes.
2.BLB Oregon: I disagree- “Freedom Fries”, and “Freedom Toast” were indeed a poke in the eye of France, because of their opposition to the invasion of Iraq. (We then found out they were busy profiting from food for oil kickbacks, and selling centerfuge parts under the table. No kidding they did not want the US to invade!). As I recall, there was also an unofficial boycott of French goods for awhile.
3. Banjo pickin girl- We repaid our blood debt in WWI. After WWII the score is: France-1 US-2
4.Now I am hungry!!
5. I hope things get better for you soon Father- Sending my prayers!
Semper Fi!
One more thing RE: France’s debt- They can pay me in Wine ;)
that should read- Centrifuge
Semper Fi!
Are you still down, Father Z? What can we do to help you make you feel better? I don’t like seeing you sad!