Are French Fries Back on the Menu for US Lawmakers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rach3
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
French fries have returned to U.S. congressional cafeterias after a brief period where they were referred to as "freedom fries" due to political tensions with France over the Iraq war. This change sparked a humorous debate about the origins and naming of fries, with many asserting that they were actually invented in Belgium, not France. The discussion highlighted the differences in terminology and preparation methods between American fries and British chips, with participants passionately defending their culinary preferences. The conversation also touched on the absurdity of politicizing food and the varying cultural practices surrounding fries, including the use of sauces like mayonnaise versus ketchup. Ultimately, the thread reflected a light-hearted yet spirited exchange on food, politics, and national identity, with a consensus emerging that fries, regardless of their name, are a beloved comfort food.
  • #31
Anttech said:
Calm down! :) go get yourself some lekker vlams friets mjn mucker
you mean "a goe pakske friet" right ?

marlon
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Dimitri Terryn said:
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:
Truer words were never spoken:approve:

marlon
 
  • #33
Anttech said:
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.

Obviously there is something wrong with your taste.

BUT I have to say that you can't beat a Fish supper :)
ok, marlon, be open minded...
Fish and Chips are the perfect combination,
Well, let's just say that the UK-kitchen (well the entire England kitchen) is, err, not exactly the best in the world.

marlon
 
  • #34
Well, let's just say that the UK-kitchen (well the entire England kitchen) is, err, not exactly the best in the world.
i this in total or as a percentage
you obviously are thinking about the worse of the english foods
 
  • #35
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!

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.
I think it has to be because of the potatoes were cooked, not how they were cut. The term "French fried" potatoes appeared before the term "French cut". Alternatively, since French fries is a term more common to the US than Europe, it could just be because Thomas Jefferson's chef was French (they really gained popularity in the US when Jefferson made a habit of serving them at White House functions).

They were invented by Belgians, though. They were a substitute for fried fish when it was too cold to fish.

Personally, I always liked the French fries they served at Cedar Point (an amusment park near Cleveland, Ohio). With some salt and vinegar, they were fantastic.
 
  • #36
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

They look OK but what is that "white devils" sauce on them, chips/fries have to have ketchup or brown sauce on them, it's the law! At least in the UK, who puts mayo on chips that's not just offensive to all right thinking Brits, that's downright sacrelige:wink: :smile:

besides "There are two types of people in the world those who like mayonaise and those who don't"

I forget who said that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #37
you can't call it white devils sauce, that's just nasty on the devil

The perfect fries. Thicker then the McDonnalds ones, but not the quarter potatoes the Brits serve.
they aint quarter potato, they are 10 x 10 x 100 (average) or in us terms 1/2" x 1/2" x 5" which aint a quarter of a potato

sauces just spoil good food, unless its some good food that goes well with it, and the mayoneais sause isnot a chip complimentary substence, unlike tomato sauce not ketchup.

though chips go best with a good drowning of vinegar and a seasonable snowing of salt
 
  • #38
Well, let's just say that the UK-kitchen (well the entire England kitchen) is, err, not exactly the best in the world.
Misconception! The UK 'Kitchen' Is equal to that of Belgium and better than Holland. Anyway what do you mean by kitchen? I can guarantee we have far more michelen star restaurant, far more home grown michelen star chiefs than Belgium. Belgium food is actually good, I prefer it to French, well it is basically French food but with less fuss, and more beer stews (Which is very British as well I may add).
 
  • #39
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

You dip stick, i was all most sick in my mouth :smile: yes i have tried them in belgium and i all most bought my beer back up.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #40
BobG said:
Personally, I always liked the French fries they served at Cedar Point (an amusment park near Cleveland, Ohio). With some salt and vinegar, they were fantastic.
The place on the boardwalk had salt and vinegar as an option too, but I hadn't yet acquired a taste for that as a kid (I love it now). I've tasted mayo on fries at the urging of European friends, but apparently have not acquired that taste yet either. If the fries are made properly, you don't need any sauce to dip them in, they are tasty all by themselves (maybe with a little salt)! I mostly resort to ketchup on the more tasteless fries (like those atrocities Burger King serves...they shouldn't even be called fries, they taste all wrong).
 
  • #41
Anttech said:
The UK 'Kitchen' Is equal to that of Belgium and better than Holland.
:smile:
You are going to compare with Holland ?

Anyway what do you mean by kitchen?
:rolleyes: What do you think ?

I can guarantee we have far more michelen star restaurant, far more home grown michelen star chiefs than Belgium.

It's Michelin. Well, the UK is much bigger than Belgium, so...

But what i wanted to say is this : the food served in a top rated restaurant does not represent the general average cuisine of a country. In such places, the chefs may be coming from different countries or are influenced by different eating cultures. So, such cuisines are NOT representative. Or do you eat in such restaurants every evening ?

Belgium food is actually good, I prefer it to French, well it is basically French food but with less fuss, and more beer stews (Which is very British as well I may add).
<sighs>

French food with less fuss, yeah right. Try getting a "boterham met jonge kaas" in France. Try getting a good steak (saignant :wink:) with Belgian Fries in France, try getting hutsepot in France...

C'mon man, obviously, you do not know what you are talking about.

Amd finally, just because in your country there is more drinking going on does not imply that your beers are any better. Just read the international reviews of Belgian beers and you won't need to reply to what i have just said.

Just agree with me in advance, it will save you a lot of time, trust me...

marlon
 
  • #42
This thread is making me hungry.
 
  • #43
lol that's the first thing that's made me laugh in this thread for a while

i give yoiu the prize that you have a biger wit than me at this momet

english food is good in some respect
 
  • #44
Just agree with me in advance, it will save you a lot of time, trust me...
Never!
Amd finally, just because in your country there is more drinking going on does not imply that your beers are any better. Just read the international reviews of Belgian beers and you won't need to reply to what i have just said.
Not disputing that, Orval is the best beer I have EVER tasted!
But what i wanted to say is this : the food served in a top rated restaurant does not represent the general average cuisine of a country. In such places, the chefs may be coming from different countries or are influenced by different eating cultures. So, such cuisines are NOT representative. Or do you eat in such restaurants every evening ?
If you read what I said, I said 'home grown' which implies they are from the UK, not international! The average cuisine in the UK is good, and IMO just as good as Belgium, and it is saying a lot because I truly like Belgium food. Honestly mucker you will find many similarities between Belgium and British food.
You are going to compare with Holland ?
Good point well presented! :wink:
 
  • #45
wolram said:
You dip stick, i was all most sick in my mouth :smile: yes i have tried them in belgium and i all most bought my beer back up.

That has nothin to do with the fries, it's you Brits who can't stomach decent beer :biggrin:
 
  • #46
Dimitri Terryn said:
That has nothin to do with the fries, it's you Brits who can't stomach decent beer :biggrin:


:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: Uncle, uncle, you do have drinkable beer, but
girly glasses :-p
 
  • #47
loseyourname said:
That's interesting. That type of cut is called a "julienne" cut. How on Earth did anyone ever come to call it "Frenched?"
Frenched is a correct term, it's not quite the same as juliened.

"Frenched

The process of cutting food in a specific way to assist with the preparation of the item. When vegetables such as beans, peppers or potatoes are cut into long thin strips, the preparation process refers to the vegetables as being "frenched"."

http://www.hormel.com/kitchen/glossary.asp?id=35683
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #48
Anttech said:
Misconception! The UK 'Kitchen' Is equal to that of Belgium and better than Holland. Anyway what do you mean by kitchen? I can guarantee we have far more michelen star restaurant, far more home grown michelen star chiefs than Belgium. Belgium food is actually good, I prefer it to French, well it is basically French food but with less fuss, and more beer stews (Which is very British as well I may add).

Indeed, French cuisine is based on English cuisine, they took an art perfected it and then sold it back to us, 'tis true. English cuisine is well respected, I mean chefs with those michelin stars and that type of thing rather than the traditional image of bangers and mash and steak and kidney pie(nothing wrong with those but, we English do know how to cook) Of course literally speaking all English cuisine comes from the continent being our ancestors probably crossed the land bridge that existed after the reatreat of the last ice age :smile: The case still stands our ineptitude in the kitchen is a myth.
 
  • #49
Anttech said:
Never!
I know, i know, it's annoying when one has to admit a mistake. Only little children react like this though.

Not disputing that,
Yes you were. read your own words please.

If you read what I said, I said 'home grown' which implies they are from the UK, not international!

This is not the point. I reacted to the fact that there are more Michelin chefs in the UK. this does not imply that "general" cuisine in a country is better than elswhere. This is exactly what you were trying to say but, sorry, it's not going to fly...

The average cuisine in the UK is good,

I disagree (along with 95 % of the European continent)

and IMO just as good as Belgium,

You are entitled to have your own opinion.

Honestly mucker you will find many similarities between Belgium and British food.

Honestly mucker, you will find many such similarities, i am sure...Just name me a few, ok ?:rolleyes:



Good point well presented! :wink:
Indeed

marlon
 
  • #50
Anttech said:
Misconception! The UK 'Kitchen' Is equal to that of Belgium and better than Holland.
Yeah - I've lived and worked in all three.

The UK is definitely out on top.

The only things the Belgians do better is moules frites, and the Dutch...

...well, if you deep fry everything, you ain't getting a Michelin star :biggrin:
 
  • #51
...well, if you deep fry everything, you ain't getting a Michelin star
damn, my plan won't work
 
  • #52
star.torturer said:
damn, my plan won't work
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4159/febovq2.jpg

These guy's plans did tho'
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #53
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The famous Dutch 'hole in the wall' kaas soufflé anyone?
 
  • #54
J77 said:
Yeah - I've lived and worked in all three.

The UK is definitely out on top.

The only things the Belgians do better is moules frites, and the Dutch...

...well, if you deep fry everything, you ain't getting a Michelin star :biggrin:

hey Snap, me too :) and I agree with you ;)

UK top
BE 2nd
NL Last (by far)
 
  • #55
Rach3 said:
In retrospect, that was rather absurd...

There should be something in our constitution to prevent this from happening again. You know, like "separation of idiot and state."
 
  • #56
but then there would be no state
 
  • #57
We will all be taking meal pills soon, well it is darwinian, i just hope the important bits of our anatomy do not devolve :cry:
 
  • #58
Schrodinger's Dog said:
They look OK but what is that "white devils" sauce on them, chips/fries have to have ketchup or brown sauce on them, it's the law! At least in the UK, who puts mayo on chips that's not just offensive to all right thinking Brits, that's downright sacrelige:wink: :smile:

besides "There are two types of people in the world those who like mayonaise and those who don't"

I forget who said that.

Nah everyone knows that the best way to have fries is when they are smothered in cheese and gravy...you will die an early artery clogged death but damn its good.
 
  • #59
cheese and gravy? more like salt and vinegar! nice and traditional
 
  • #60
Donner chips n cheese :) mmmmmmmmmmmm