So I enjoy poutine every now and then, and heard that
Quebec style is the best. I follow this recipe when I make it every now and then, but have trouble finding cheese curds and usually sub in fresh mozzarella which isnt quite as good as the cheese curds, but its quick and available everywhere. . I tried once to make homemade cheese curds from raw milk and a cheese cloth, but it didnt come out quite the same.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/how-to-make-the-best-ultimate-poutine-french-fries-cheese-gravy.htmlFor the uninitiated, poutine is a dish born out of rural Quebec that consists of three ingredients: fries, brown gravy, and cheese curds. It's simple enough, but as with anything seemingly simple, the devil is in the details. Poutines fail because they don't strike the right balance of textures and flavors. A good version starts with a bed of fries that have crisp exteriors and soft, pillowy interiors. On top of that should be a generous portion of bite-size soft cheese curds that have a distinct squeak to them. Smothering the fries and curds is a brown gravy that has just enough beefiness and tang to make it stand out, but not so much that it overwhelms the other two components.
INGREDIENTSFor the Gravy (See Note Above):
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
2 pounds beef oxtails
1 pound beef marrow bones
1 pound veal bones
1 pound chicken necks, backs, or legs
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
1 large onion, quartered
4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 quart homemade chicken stock or low-sodium broth
3 quarts water
3 sprigs fresh parsley
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Kosher salt
For the Fries:
4 large skin-on russet potatoes (about 2 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch sticks on a mandoline
2 quarts peanut oil
12 ounces freshly made white cheddar cheese curds (preferably not more than 24 hours old), either store-bought or homemade, at room temperature and broken into bite-size piecesDIRECTIONS1.
For the Gravy: Heat oil in a large stock pot over high heat until shimmering. Add oxtails and cook until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add beef and veal bones and cook until deeply browned, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to plate with oxtails. Add chicken pieces and cook until well browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to plate with oxtails and bones. Stir in carrots, onion, and garlic and cook until well browned. Stir in chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pot. Add water, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, oxtails, beef bones, chicken, and any accumulated juices from plate. Bring stock to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook at a bare simmer for 3 hours. Pour stock through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. Remove fat from stock by skimming with a ladle, using a fat separator, or placing stock in refrigerator until chilled, then discarding hardened fat from the surface.
2.
Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until foaming. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until golden blonde, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of stock in a steady stream. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until reduced to 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vinegar, and season with salt.
3.
For the Fries: Place potatoes in a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. Let soak for at least 1 hour, or, alternatively, drain water and rinse again, changing water until it runs completely clear. Drain potatoes and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
4.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or wok to 350°F. Working in batches, add potatoes and cook, stirring and turning frequently until pale blonde, about 5 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. (For crispiest fries, see note above about adding a freezing step.)
5.
Heat oil to 425°F. Add potatoes and cook, stirring and turning frequently, until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined bowl and season with salt to taste.
6.
Reheat gravy over high heat until hot. Place fries in a shallow bowl or dish, top generously with cheese curds, and ladle on gravy. Serve immediately.
Does anyone know of a more authentic style recipe than this one?
Enjoy your homemade poutine, without having to go to Quebec. !