todayilearned Homemade Potato Chips, in the Microwave

[Hum]

It wasn't until I was working on Real Snacks, a cookbook about making my favorite junk food at home, that it occurred to me that I could make my own potato chips. Of course, no junk food cookbook could be compete without them, but my first few attempts were pretty sad -- dark brown on the edges and still soggy in the middle. Luckily, perseverance won out, and now I wonder how I ever thought they were hard.

The key to the perfectly crispy chip is the mandoline. You need to get the potatoes really, really thin, so unless you have the knife skills of a ninja, a mandoline is the way to go. You don't need a fancy one -- a simple $20 slicer works perfectly. Just make sure you get one with a guard, and don't worry that you can't use that last little chunk at the end of each potato. Just set it aside for soup, and save your fingertips!

I like russet potatoes best for frying, but this method also works well with sweet potatoes, yams and lotus root. If frying isn't your thing, you'll love the microwavable version of this recipe, which makes a small batch of super crisp chips in about 2 minutes.

3 medium russet potatoes

Oil baking spray

Sea salt or Baked Potato Chip seasoning, to taste

1. Slice the potatoes into very, very thin rounds using a porcelain slicer or mandoline (always use the guard!). I use the 1.3mm setting. Place the slices in a large bowl. Cover with cold water, swish and then drain.

2. Place the slices in a single layer on a towel, and then roll it up to lightly dry them. Keep the slices rolled up in the towel as you cook off batches to keep them from oxidizing and turning brown.

3. To microwave your chips, spray the potato slices with an oil baking spray and place in a single layer on a microwave safe plate (sprayed with a bit more baking spray). Cook on full power for 1 to 2 minutes. You'll likely need to do this in many small batches. Be careful when you remove the plate because it will be very hot. :huh:

4. Toss your crisp chips into a large bowl and sprinkle with salt or your seasoning, swirling and flipping to coat.

source

[DocM]

You can also do it in a toaster oven.