Despite the name, french fries are iconic in the American food realm. They're on the menu of almost every fast food and casual dining restaurant and can be dressed up with different toppings and seasonings, from gravy to cheese sauce and garlic powder to sea salt. One seasoning is a favorite for seafood but shouldn't be overlooked as a tasty addition to french fries.
You may not think of Old Bay and french fries together, but it's a combination that works. Old Bay's unique mix of spices is known for bringing out the flavor of foods without overpowering them. Old Bay contains celery salt, dried red and black pepper, paprika, and other proprietary ingredients.
But why does this seasoning work so well with french fries? The savory flavor of Old Bay is not overpowering, giving the fries a subtle, zesty flavor. The paprika tacks on a smoky heat, while the red and black pepper adds fruity and earthy notes. To tie it all together, the celery salt provides an aromatic balance.
A salty history Old Bay seasoning has been adding flavor to seafood since 1939 — when Gustav Brunn sold his first bottle of what would turn out to be his signature product. Brunn's Baltimore company was located across the street from the Wholesale Fish Market, and seafood and Old Bay have been a winning combination since. Despite its origins in Maryland cuisine, Old Bay seasoning has been typically used for Southern seafood boils .
The seasoning, often with lemon and salt, is added to water to create a flavor.