Ep 9. Fry Hard II: The Reload

In the ninth episode of the first season of Good Eats: Reloaded, titled Fry Hard II: The Reload, host Alton Brown delves back into the world of fried foods, with a particular emphasis on French fries. Following up on a previous episode dedicated solely to the art of French fry-making, Fry Hard II presents new tricks and techniques for achieving the perfect crispiness, flavor, and texture.

The episode begins with a brief history lesson on the origins of French fries (spoiler: they're not actually French), before Brown dives into his own frying experiments. With a variety of cooking oils and potato types at his disposal, Brown attempts to crack the code of consistently delicious fries. Along the way, he introduces viewers to various tools and methods for ensuring that the fries are evenly cooked and perfectly seasoned.

One of the key takeaways from Fry Hard II is the importance of blanching the potatoes before frying. This technique involves par-cooking the potato slices in hot water, then cooling them down before frying. According to Brown, this method helps to break down the potato's surface starches, resulting in a crispier, less oily finished product. To make things even more interesting, Brown compares the blanching process to a famous scene from the movie Fight Club.

Another notable aspect of Fry Hard II is Brown's emphasis on seasoning. While many restaurants rely on a simple salt-and-pepper approach, Brown encourages viewers to get creative with their fry toppings. From garlic and vinegar powder to truffle salt and smoked paprika, there are seemingly endless options for elevating the humble French fry.

In addition to his French fry experiments, Brown also takes a detour into the world of fried chicken. Using a similar blanching technique as with the fries, Brown cooks up some juicy, crispy chicken wings before dishing out his favorite dipping sauces.

As always, Brown peppers the episode with his trademark humor and irreverence. Along the way, he shares anecdotes about his own fried food mishaps (including a failed attempt at deep-frying a Thanksgiving turkey) and offers up plenty of culinary advice. Whether you're a die-hard fry enthusiast or simply love to indulge in the occasional guilty pleasure, Fry Hard II has something to offer.