How to make peri peri chips
A plate of perfectly cooked peri peri chips is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. These crispy fries, coated in a tantalizing blend of spices and herbs, pack a punch of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Whether you’re looking for a delicious side dish to accompany your main meal or simply want to indulge in a quick and tasty snack, peri peri chips are a must-try.
What is peri peri?
Peri peri, also known as piri piri or pili pili, is a type of chili pepper that originated in Africa. Its name translates to “pepper pepper” in Swahili, referring to its fiery and intense flavor. Native to Mozambique and Angola, peri peri peppers are now widely used in many cuisines around the world, particularly in Portuguese cuisine where they are at the heart of the iconic peri peri sauce.
The secret behind peri peri chips lies in the addictive peri peri sauce, a fiery blend of chili peppers, garlic, herbs, and citrus flavors. The sauce not only adds a tangy kick to the potatoes but also infuses them with a rich, smoky flavor.
Instructions for Making Peri Peri Chips
To make delicious peri peri chips, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your peri peri chips:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into thick chips.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the potato chips to the bowl and carefully toss them until they are evenly coated with the peri peri seasoning.
- Place the seasoned potato chips onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the peri peri chips in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the peri peri chips from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the peri peri chips hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as mayonnaise or peri peri sauce.
Your homemade peri peri chips are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a tasty side dish or as a delicious snack.
Note: If you prefer spicier peri peri chips, you can increase the amount of chili powder or add some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you can start making peri peri chips, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you’ll need:
Potatoes
Start with about 4 large potatoes. You can use any variety of potatoes, but russet or baking potatoes work best for making crispy chips.
Peri Peri seasoning
The star ingredient of peri peri chips is the peri peri seasoning. You can either make your own peri peri seasoning using a combination of spices like paprika, dried herbs, garlic powder, salt, and chili flakes, or you can purchase a ready-made peri peri seasoning blend from the store.
Oil
You’ll need a good quality oil for frying the chips. Vegetable oil or sunflower oil works well for this recipe. Make sure you have enough oil to completely submerge the chips while frying.
Salt
A sprinkle of salt is essential to enhance the flavors of the peri peri chips. Use sea salt or kosher salt for best results.
Lemon juice
For added tanginess, you can squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked chips just before serving. This optional ingredient adds a refreshing zing to the peri peri flavor.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you’re ready to start making delicious peri peri chips!
Preparing the Peri Peri Sauce
Peri Peri sauce is a delicious and spicy sauce that adds a burst of flavor to any dish. Making your own peri peri sauce is simple and allows you to customize the spice level to your preference. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing peri peri sauce:
- Gather all the required ingredients:
– 6-8 peri peri peppers (adjust according to your desired spice level)
– 3 cloves of garlic
– 1 lemon
– 2 tablespoons of vinegar
– 1 tablespoon of olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
- Using gloves, deseed the peri peri peppers and roughly chop them.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Squeeze the juice of the lemon into a bowl.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the peri peri peppers, minced garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
Your peri peri sauce is now ready to use! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It can be used as a marinade for chicken, added to roasted vegetables, or drizzled over grilled meats. Enjoy the spiciness and flavor of peri peri sauce in your dishes!
Cutting and Seasoning the Potatoes
To make peri peri chips, the first step is to cut the potatoes into chip shapes. You can cut them into thick, chunky chips or thin fries, depending on your preference.
Start by peeling the potatoes and then cutting them into evenly sized pieces. If you prefer thicker chips, aim for pieces that are around 1 inch thick. If you prefer thinner fries, aim for pieces that are around 0.5 inches thick.
Next, it’s time to season the potatoes with peri peri spices. In a bowl, combine olive oil, peri peri sauce, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and any other spices you desire. Mix well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed.
Add the cut potatoes to the bowl and make sure they are coated in the peri peri seasoning. Use your hands or a spoon to toss the potatoes in the seasoning mixture, ensuring that each piece is well coated.
If you have time, allow the potatoes to marinate in the seasoning for around 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the potatoes, giving them an extra kick of peri peri flavor.
| Ingredients: | Potatoes | Olive oil | Peri peri sauce | Salt | Paprika | Garlic powder | Other desired spices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity: | As needed | 2 tablespoons | 1 tablespoon | 1 teaspoon | 1 teaspoon | 1 teaspoon | As desired |
Deep Frying the Chips
Once you have prepared the peri peri seasoning and cut the potatoes into slices, it’s time to deep fry the chips. Deep frying involves cooking the potatoes in hot oil until they are golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to deep fry the chips for the perfect peri peri chip experience:
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Heat the oil |
| 2 | Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot. The oil should be heated to around 175°C (350°F) for optimal frying results. |
| 3 | Fry the chips in batches |
| 4 | Place a batch of sliced potatoes into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the fryer. Overcrowding can cause the chips to stick together and result in uneven cooking. |
| 5 | Fry until golden |
| 6 | Fry the chips until they turn golden and crispy, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent them from overcooking. |
| 7 | Drain the excess oil |
| 8 | Once the chips are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove them from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. This will help absorb any excess oil. |
| 9 | Season with peri peri |
| 10 | While the chips are still hot, sprinkle them with the prepared peri peri seasoning. Toss them gently to ensure an even coating of the spicy seasoning. |
| 11 | Serve and enjoy |
| 12 | Serve the peri peri chips immediately as a delicious and spicy side dish or snack. Enjoy them on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce. |
Deep frying the chips gives them the perfect texture and allows the peri peri seasoning to adhere to each chip, creating a flavorful and crispy treat. Make sure to follow these steps carefully for the best results.
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