Potato Chips and Memories of a Fun Visit

This is an old post from my old blog, reposted for the recipe, so understand it's a few years old!

I love when people come to visit, because it means that I get to do all the touristy stuff that I secretly love but can't admit to if I'm trying to become a "real" Austinite. Over the weekend my mom and my fiancé's mom made their first trek down to Austin since we moved here in November. It was really an amazing weekend and I am so happy I was able to show the moms around my beautiful new city!

We packed so many things into five days, it was nearly exhausting.

First up, we went to Chuy's for lunch as soon as the moms landed. It's still our favorite Tex Mex place in the city (again, we're new! I know there are better!) and the moms enjoyed trying the THREE dips Cory and I always get when we're there. It was too early for margaritas, but just the right time for enchiladas.

The next day I took the moms on a shopping day to The Domain and South Congress. We saw the bats emerge from the South Congress Bridge at sunset, then ate dinner at one of my favorite food trucks--Ms P's!

Since the "i love you so much" wall was on Cory and my Christmas card this year, we also had to make a stop here. I love you, mom!

My mom took a picture in front of every. single. cactus. This one was from Saturday, when we went to San Antonio to see the Alamo. The San Antonio day was fun because I hadn't visited that city yet. We also explored historic Gruene.

Another tourist spot I'd never been to: The Greetings From Austin wall! We braved getting hit in oncoming traffic to take a million and a half pictures here.

On the last day, I took my mom to The Oasis to see the view. I'd never been here because people had warned me the food was not so good. The view though, was incredible! I'd love to come back here for a drink sometime. My mom is terrified of heights, so she just took a picture of me here.

Finally, I took my mom to one of my new favorite places: The Driftwood winery. I LOVE this place. Gorgeous view, amazing wine, and we even made some new friends here--a family from Europe who was visiting because their son is moving here. Very cool! Dinner was at Salt Lick, because this is another place I love bringing people.

Anyways, none of this has anything to do with Potato Chips, I just felt like sharing some pictures.

I loved my mom's visit, and seeing Cory's mom, and we had one of the most fun weekends I've had in Austin in a long time! I miss them so much already and hope they can visit again soon.

And now, for the chips.

DID YOU KNOW IT'S WICKED EASY TO MAKE POTATO CHIPS? Mind-blowingly easy.

Seriously, this recipe is kind of a joke because it's really THAT easy. And delicious. And you'll wonder why you bother dropping $4 on a bag of chips when potatoes are like, 50 cents.

Homemade Potato Chips

• 2-3 large potatoes--I used golden potatoes
• Enough oil to cover 1 inch in a large frying pan
• Seasonings

Equipment:

• Mandolin or killer knife skillz
• Frying pan
• Slotted spoon
• Drying rack

 -Heat your oil to about 375 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, pay attention to how the potato sizzles when dropped in. Sizzling = good.

 -Use a mandolin to slice the potatoes as thin as you're able. Thinner = crispier. Drop them in batches into the hot oil.

-Watch the potatoes. Once they begin to curl and look brown around the edges, remove with a slotted spoon.

-Move to drying rack and sprinkle with desired seasonings--I did plain salt, salt and pepper, and parsley and parm--and let dry for ten minutes. Store in an airtight bag.