Homemade Potato Chips

We all love to have potato in one form or the other, be it the potato wedges, french fries, Potato cutlets, fritters or Potato Chips for that matter. Isn't it? Potato Chips are all-time favourite munching snack for all the age groups. We just like to munch those crispy fries given at any time of the day. Potato Chips are said to be the best appetisers of all time. Needless to say, even a toddler loves to gnaw these fries with their tiny milk teeth.

How I couldn't recall my childhood when I lived in Bangalore, me and mamma used to visit the 'Hot Chips' to buy Potato Chips and other ready-made mixtures from the store. I would observe that uncle who stands in front of the extraordinarily huge wok filled with hot boiling oil, he would immediately slice the potatoes into the hot oil, and then within a minute the fresh crispy fries hot potato chips would be ready for selling. The uncle would ask whether to put mirchi powder in the chips or want to have plain chips? Mamma would buy the plain potato chips for us because she used to be conscious about our health. Mamma would also make the potato chips at home, however, when I and my sisters were too young, she had no that much of time and helping hands to spend a day making those chips at home.

I remember whenever I used to visit my Grandmother, she used to pack a container full of 'Homemade potato Chips' for us, which she would make and keep prior to our visit. Many things have changed over the years, but the legacy of making those 'Homemade potato Chips' carried forward from my Grandmother has still been carried on by my mamma, and of course just because this morning, we were putting these 'Potato Chips' on our terrace, I thought of sharing this simple technique of 'Homemade potato Chips' with you guys.

There are many different methods carried out in different places, and its obvious with the modern advancement in the technology people get those ready-made packages filled with a very little of the chips in it from the shops, which is actually considered as a solution for a small hunger pang during travelling. However, 'Homemade potato Chips' are healthy, safe from any adulteration or harmful chemicals or any mixture of side effects and you can have them unlimited as well as pack them for your journey. So forget about spending much on the harmful products, just spend some time with your family in making these chemical free 'Homemade potato Chips' and enjoy them wholeheartedly.

Homemade Potato Chips

Tips:

1. Do not over-boil the potato slices as it will lose its crispiness.
2. Addition of Fitkari/Phitkari (Potash alum or simply Alum) will give a sturdy texture and make the chips more firm and crispy.

[Veg]

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Spreading Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Course: Appetiser

Cuisine: Indian

Yields: 30 to 34 Chips from 1 large Potato (approx)

Measuring Item: Teaspoon

Things Required: Cooking wok, Strainer, Potato peeler, Knife, Cutting board, Towel, Big Cloth, 1 Huge Vessel.

Ingredients:

1. Potato- 1 kilogram (6-7 large sized)
2. Salt- 1 Tsp
3. Alum (Fitkari)- 1 inch

Method:

How to prepare ‘Homemade Potato Chips’ with step by step pictures and instructions-

1. Peel the potato skin and wash them properly with water.
2. Chop the potatoes into thin slices.
    
3. As you slice the potatoes place the slices immediately in cold water.
   
4. I sliced the potatoes with the knife whereas my mamma used the traditional 'Boti' to slice the potatoes.

   

   This is a vegetable chopper- 'Boti'
   you get to see in Bengali kitchens
   

   
   

5. Now rinse and drain the water and keep the potato slices dipped in cold water for at least an hour.
   
6. Place a large cooking wok on the flame, add sufficient water so that the potato slices dip in it properly.
   
7. Boil the water for about 5 minutes, add salt and alum to the boiling potatoes in the wok.

   

   Alum & Salt

8. Boil water and potato slices for 5 minutes more and switch off the flame.
9. Drain the hot water in a strainer and spread the hot potato slices in a vessel layered with a clean towel.
   
10. Lay a big cloth or a mat under the sunlight and put the potato slices one after the other.
    
11. Leave the potato slices to dry under the sunlight for 3 to 4 hours.
12. After drying under the sun you get perfect dried potato chips within a day.
    
13. Store the dried potato chips in a container for later use (can store for about 4 to 5 months or even more). Or fry the dried potato chips immediately and enjoy.
    

Savour the extra crunchy, healthy and unadulterated Potato Chips right at your home any time when you wish to have them. Also, you can fry these 'Homemade potato Chips' and store it in a container for 4 to 5 days, and eat them whenever you like. This ''Homemade potato Chips' is a brilliant idea to treat any guests arriving on an unnoticed event. These are much crispier, fresher and far better than any store bought potato chips. It really goes well with a hot cup of tea alongside or sprinkle a bit of red mirchi powder, and for the kids sprinkle Chaat Masala or simply savour along by dipping them with tomato ketchup or some mint mayo. So prepare this easy to make ''Homemade potato Chips' and enjoy cooking, serving and eating!!

Homemade Potato Chips

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