The Peckerwood Gravy Company

The Peckerwood Gravy Company, located here, is a fun and informative food blog exploring the styles and recipes of the American Midwest.



Here is their recipe for, what else – French fries!

Diggin’ My Potatoes

“Diggin’ My Potatoes” by the Skiffle King with the Chris Barber Skiffle Group, thanks to maolchalium.

French Fry Shellac

Ever notice the crappy coating that some fries have these days? It supposedly makes ‘em crunchier but the reality is that this stuff –Invisicoat by name- makes the fries last longer in the freezer section. Longer life, more time on the shelf, more sales. It’s used mainly by McCain, Denny’s, any number of nameless diners and more potato products than I would like. Yes, it’s good for the sales end of the business, but really, it tastes like crap.

A month or so back, Natalie posted her thoughts about the French fry shellac phenomenon on her blog, Curly Wurly Gurly. She’s got it right. Just say no to Invisicoat.

Fattiest French Fries

The folks at Eat This Not That really do mean well. I love the books. The books are good common sense guides for folks who are weight and nutrition-conscious, but sometimes, just sometimes, they veer into health Nazi territory. Here's just a little bit of what they have to say about the favorite fried food, French Fries:

"By now, almost everybody knows that trans fats are the food additive that should rarely pass your lips. They add useless calories, build bad cholesterol (known as LDL), and lower your good cholesterol (known as HDL). The American Heart Association says you should only consume 2 grams or less of trans fats in our daily diets. (And we say less. Zero is a good number.)

So why on earth is trans fat still in food if it’s so terrible? Because even though trans fats may shorten your life, they actually add to the shelf life of baked goods, and keep the deep-fat fryers stoked batch after batch. Choosing between your personal health and their own financial health, some chain restaurants and food manufacturers go the wrong way.

Our mission: to raise the warning flag. Here’s a list of the worst trans fat transgressors. Put them on your do-not-eat list, and we’ll all feel a lot better.

TRANS FATTIEST FRENCH FRIES
Jack in the Box's large Natural Cut Fries
10 g trans fat
300 calories
33 g fat

Although most fast food restaurants have transitioned to trans-fat-free fryers, Jack in the Box hasn’t. Their large servings of natural cut fries and curly fries both pack more than 5 days' worth of dangerous fats. In fact, most of the items on their menu are riddled with more than a day’s serving of trans fats.

Eat this instead:
Jack in the Box Egg Roll (1)
130 calories
6 g fat (1 g trans fat)

The fruit cup and one egg roll are the only sides that do not have 2 or more grams of trans fats. If the fruit cup isn’t for you, limit yourself to one egg roll."

Okay, like I said, somewhat good stuff, but really now, who's going to trade fries -even crappy natural cut fries like Jack in the Box has- for an egg roll or a fruit cup? Especially the egg roll... have you ever had a Jack in the Box egg roll? I think I'll take my chances with the world's fattiest fries.

I Like Potatoes

Manjula’s Spicy Potatoes

Manjula of Manjula’s Kitchen is back with her recipe for spicy potatoes...



Mmmm... spicy!

Show Me the Curry!

The ladies from Show Me the Curry make seasoned potatoes. Mmmm...

Mashed Potatoes for Thanksgiving

What better time for mashed potatoes than Thanksgiving?

From Marla in Las Vegas' Potato-Recipe Yahoo! group...

Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes

2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
1 1/2 cups butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup shredded asiago cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1 lb garlic clove, peeled
salt
pepper

The day before dice potatoes. Place them in a bowl with salted cold water and place in the refridgerator overnight.

In an oven safe pan saute olive oil and whole garlic cloves for ten minutes. Season with salt and pepper and roast in the oven at 350 degrees for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and puree garlic and olive oil in blender. Adjust seasonings as needed. (This can also be done one or two days ahead).

The day of your meal drain the diced potatoes and place in fresh cold water with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook till tender (10 minutes).

Mash with a potato masher. Add enough broth to achieve desired consistancy and fold in butter, garlic paste and cheese. Season to salt and pepper to taste.

source is recipezaar

God Bless, Marla


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Flesh Fries

Just in time for Halloween, here come Flesh Fries!

The Oriental Trading Company describes the product thusly: Gummy Flesh Fries. This candy makes great “finger food!” Each spine-chilling box holds bloody tips for even more fleshy taste! Share these gummies with fellow ghouls and goblins! Perfect at your school's Halloween carnival or in goody bags. Includes 5 watermelon-flavored candies in a cardboard container. Fat-free.

Ghoulishly fun!

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Paul McCartney Makes Mashed Potatoes

No, seriously, Paul McCartney makes mashed potatoes on the internet…