If you love potato wedges, you’ll want to learn how to cut them so that they turn out crispy. Read on for tips and tricks for achieving this goal.
First, make sure to soak your potatoes before cutting them. This will help them retain their shape and crispiness in the oven.
Wash the Potatoes
Before you cut potato wedges, it is important to clean them properly. This is because they are ground vegetables that have dirt and other contaminants on them.
The best way to wash a potato is to use a vegetable brush or a paper towel. Rub them until they are clean and dry, then rinse them with cool water.
This ensures that any remaining dirt and germs are removed, leaving you with a fresh, clean potato to cook with.
Another important step is to peel the potatoes before preparing them. This is because some recipes call for a potato with skin on, while others do not.
You can also soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes, or even overnight, to rid them of excess starch that may prevent the wedges from crisping up properly. However, this is only recommended if you’re using starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
Cut the Potatoes in Half
Whether you are making a simple side dish or a savory appetizer, potato wedges are a great way to add a healthy and delicious element to your meals. The secret to perfect potato wedges is to make sure that you cut the potatoes correctly so that they cook evenly and are evenly sized.
To start, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Place each on the cutting board with the smaller end facing you and use a sharp knife to make an accurate cut.
When you are finished cutting the potato, turn it over. This will make it easier to cut with your favored hand and assure that you are making equally sized wedges.
When you are ready to bake the potato, slather them with a generous coat of oil and then place them on a baking sheet. This is crucial for preventing the potatoes from sticking to the pan, and it gives them a crispy outer coating.
Turn the Potatoes
Potato wedges are perfect side dishes that go well with a variety of meals. They can be roasted, fried, or served with a variety of seasonings and herbs to suit any taste.
The key to a crispy wedge is cutting the potatoes into thin slices that expose the surface of the potato to the heat. This means that you’ll get a more evenly cooked wedge with less cooking time and more crispiness.
You can use one of the following techniques to cut your potatoes into wedges:
Straight Slice, Chipper or Bias Cut
The straight slice is used most often when making home fries or scalloped potatoes as it creates a uniform thickness that makes it easier to layer on top of each other. It also allows for a lot of surface area so you can use the same amount of potato in each slice.
Use a Sharp Knife
Using a sharp knife makes it easier to cut potato wedges. This is especially true if you are using a chef’s knife or a Santoku knife.
A sharp knife is also safer to use. It requires less pressure to cut and the blade is much easier to control.
The three main factors that determine how sharp a knife is are its edge quality, its edge angle and the thickness of the blade. These three things will ultimately help you get a clean cut and avoid damage to the food.
To cut potatoes into wedges, start by cutting them in half lengthwise. Next, cut each half in half again to make quarters. Finally, slice each quarter into wedges by angling the knife towards the center of the potato.