Perfect Fries

• 4 large, floury potatoes
• Sunflower oil or lard, for deep-frying
• Coarse sea salt

Peel the potatoes, rinse under cold water and then dry on kitchen paper. Cut them into strips about 1cm (½ in) wide by 5-7.5cm (2-3in) long.

Half-fill a deep-fat fryer or deep, heavy-based pan with sunflower oil or lard and heat it to 150°C/300°F. Fry the potatoes in the oil in batches for 5-8 minutes, until they are soft but still very pale. Lift out and drain on kitchen paper (the chi