Are French Fries Back on the Menu for US Lawmakers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the recent decision to reintroduce French fries in US cafeterias, following a period where they were referred to as "freedom fries." Participants explore the cultural implications, naming conventions, and culinary differences between French fries and chips, particularly in the context of American and British perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that the term "French fries" is misleading, arguing they were actually invented in Belgium.
  • There are claims that the name "French fries" comes from the method of cutting the potatoes, referred to as "frenched."
  • Several participants debate the differences in preparation methods between American fries and British chips, including thickness and frying techniques.
  • Some express confusion over the political implications of renaming French fries and suggest that the entire situation was absurd.
  • Participants share personal preferences for different types of fries and chips, with some asserting that English chips are superior to French fries.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the cultural differences in terminology and food preparation, with references to "freedom kissing" and "potato Nazis."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the origins and naming of fries, as well as differing opinions on their preparation and taste. There is no consensus on these points, and participants express a variety of perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference cultural and historical contexts that influence their views, including political sentiments and culinary traditions. The discussion includes unresolved claims about the correct terminology and preparation methods for fries and chips.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in cultural discussions surrounding food, culinary traditions, and the interplay between politics and everyday life may find this discussion engaging.

Rach3
Now our more obese representatives can go back to eating the nonpolitical 'French fries' (though the trans-unsaturated fats remain unchanged):

WASHINGTON (AFP) - French fries are back on the menu of cafeterias that cater to US lawmakers on Capital Hill, more than three years after they were replaced by "freedom fries" in anger over France's refusal to join the US-led war in Iraq.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060802/od_afp/afplifestyleusiraq_060802203314

In retrospect, that was rather absurd... :rolleyes:
 
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i think i will keep freedom kissing though :-p :!)
 
politics doesn't make sense to me :/
 
ummmm...
 
yomamma said:
ummmm...

shut up yomamma

I also enjoyed freedom kissing and freedom mustard. The way Americans eat fries... why the hell should we call it french fries in the first place? I think at some point, you can take over a name out of pure massive inputs of food.
 
In England we call them by the propper name (chips) i know that's what you Yanks call crisps, but you guys are so mixed up, i mean, trunk, fany,
hood.
 
Pythagorean said:
politics doesn't make sense to me :/
"Politics is for the moment, however and equation is for eternity."
-The big AE
 
Pengwuino said:
shut up yomamma

I also enjoyed freedom kissing and freedom mustard. The way Americans eat fries... why the hell should we call it french fries in the first place? I think at some point, you can take over a name out of pure massive inputs of food.

I don't even know why they are called 'french frys' they were invented in Belgium!
 
wolram said:
In England we call them by the propper name (chips) i know that's what you Yanks call crisps, but you guys are so mixed up, i mean, trunk, fany,
hood.

Lol what's a trunk over there? the boot?
 
  • #10
Anttech said:
I don't even know why they are called 'french frys' they were invented in Belgium!

At least they are fried:blushing:
 
  • #11
Rach3 said:
In retrospect, that was rather absurd... :rolleyes:
I doubt the French care much - they have much more class.
 
  • #12
Pythagorean said:
politics doesn't make sense to me :/

Politics doesn't make sense to politicians(politics is another way of saying strategic lying, or diplomacy) If you know anything about it, then you know the more you know the less you really know. Try asking a politicain an awkward question and you'll see what I mean :smile:
 
  • #13
In Europe the US managed to completely ridicule themselves over this. The reason they are called French fries is because they are frenched, i.e. 'to cut into lengthwise pieces'. You probably know 'frenched beans'. Not only was the US displaying an archaic 19th century jingoistic attitude, they didn't even get it right!

And yes, they are Belgian! Fries are a national thing here. The most common fast food place here is the "frietkot", literally a shack or trailer where you can by fries with all manner of sauces(like mayonaise, ketchup, cocktail...), and usually a variety of fried meat as well.
 
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  • #14
Dimitri Terryn said:
And yes, they are Belgian! Fries are a national thing here. The most common fast food place here is the "frietkot", literally a shack or trailer where you can by fries with all manner of sauces...
As long as it's mayonaisse :-p
 
  • #15
Rach3 said:
Now our more obese representatives can go back to eating the nonpolitical 'French fries' (though the trans-unsaturated fats remain unchanged):

Just to be clear : French Fries are BELGIAN.

marlon
 
  • #16
marlon said:
Just to be clear : French Fries are BELGIAN.

marlon


Calm down! :) go get yourself some lekker vlams friets mjn mucker
 
  • #17
You Belgians... :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #18
I am a potato Nazzi and I say without fear of reproach that chips thickly cut and fried in animal fat(or vegeatbale oil if your worried about your arteries) to a golden brown are infinitely more tastey than cardboard fries from anywhere in the world, but then I would say that I'm English, and besides if you don't agree with me I'll invade your country with English restaurants that only serve chips and fish.:smile:
 
  • #19
What you Brits don't get is that

a) You cut your fries THIN
b) You boil them TWICE in oil, just doing it once makes them soggy
c) You do NOT serve them with fish!

:wink:
 
  • #20
Dimitri Terryn said:
In Europe the US managed to completely ridicule themselves over this. The reason they are called French fries is because they are frenched, i.e. 'to cut into lengthwise pieces'. You probably know 'frenched beans'. Not only was the US displaying an archaic 19th century jingoistic attitude, they didn't even get it right!

That's interesting. That type of cut is called a "julienne" cut. How on Earth did anyone ever come to call it "Frenched?"
 
  • #21
go mr potato nazzi, I am a potato defect, are you going to kill me yeah!
english chips are beter by far than anyother form of potatoe beverage.
crisps come second
then roasties
then baked/jacket potatoes
then new potatoes
then every other type of potato beveragte that i have mised
then French Fries
 
  • #22
Do English people also refer to side dishes as "beverages?" Or do you actually drink your chips?
 
  • #23
i Me personaly drink everything

a) You cut your fries THIN
b) You boil them TWICE in oil, just doing it once makes them soggy
c) You do NOT serve them with fish!
I am starting to get angry
fries are a compleat ly different breed to fries, no, a compleatly diferent spieceis. they don't even originate from the same planet, no, sustem, no, universe.

Oh, and chips were first, numero uno, Nr. eine
 
  • #24
I went back to England the other week and soaked my chips in vinegar :smile:
 
  • #25
dream in heven J77, i am dribiling all over my keyboard
 
  • #26
Dimitri Terryn said:
What you Brits don't get is that

uh uh uh, don't start lecturing me I'm a potato Nazi remember :smile:

Dimitri Terryn said:
a) You cut your fries THIN

No, absolutely vile propaganda, who do you work for Mc Donalds?

Dimitri Terryn said:
b) You boil them TWICE in oil, just doing it once makes them soggy

No it doesn't your making your chips wrong? Soggy chips, are the sign of a peasant chip maker, you need to heat the oil to a temperature high enough that your chips don't sogify, a good bench test is to put a chip into the oil and if the oil starts to bubble vigorously around it, it's ready for immersion. fry 'em quick and they won't go soggy. Also if you want to make croquet potatoes then boil them first and then fry them, this will keep them from sogification.

Dimitri Terryn said:
c) You do NOT serve them with fish!

Blaspehmy, I cast you down vile demon.:-p :smile:

EDIT: in the apocrypha of the chip Bible, I will acknowledge that chips can be served with pie, preferably steak and kidney although there is some ecumenical consideration given to chicken and mushroom, or in Scotland steak pie(different church though) Or a nice big saveloy, or in exceptional circumstances a pea fritter. In some obscure gnostic texts it is also acceptable to serve them with burgers, although this is not common and is considered heresy by puritanical chip lovers like myself :biggrin:
 
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  • #27
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Assets/Images_Upload/nb0110frieten.jpg

The perfect fries. Thicker then the McDonnalds ones, but not the quarter potatoes the Brits serve.

I rest my case! :-p
 
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  • #28
Rach3 said:
Now our more obese representatives can go back to eating the nonpolitical 'French fries' (though the trans-unsaturated fats remain unchanged):

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060802/od_afp/afplifestyleusiraq_060802203314

In retrospect, that was rather absurd... :rolleyes:
In retrospect? At the time it was absurd, especially considering that the administration was misleading the country. :rolleyes:
 
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  • #29
Dimitri Terryn said:
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Assets/Images_Upload/nb0110frieten.jpg

The perfect fries. Thicker then the McDonnalds ones, but not the quarter potatoes the Brits serve.

I rest my case! :-p

To be honest, after tasting both, I would have to say: the double frying, nor the size (as long as they arent really skinning like mcdonalds) has anything to do with the taste.

It all comes down to the oil/fat you use when frying. I have tasted some yummy belgium friets and I have tasted some yummy British chips. BUT I have to say that you can't beat a Fish supper :) Fish and Chips are the perfect combination, especially Haddock. Typically your local 'durum' (kebab) place in Brussels fry there chips with the worst Oil you can imagine, it makes 'em taste really greasy.. But some of the Belgium vans do, do very good chips..

So all things weighed up, I would say both are as good as each other.. Enough of your nazism Schrol! :D

hehe
 
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  • #30
Dimitri Terryn said:
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Assets/Images_Upload/nb0110frieten.jpg

The perfect fries. Thicker then the McDonnalds ones, but not the quarter potatoes the Brits serve.

I rest my case! :-p
Mmmmm...reminds me of the boardwalk as a kid! There was a place there that just served fries, just like that, in a paper cone-shaped wrapper. :approve:
 
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