Crispy Golden Brown Oven French Fries

Do you ever crave some good ‘ol French fries, hot and comforting, but don’t want to eat the hydrogenated fats or flavor additives you get at the fast food drive-thru?

One solution is to grab a bag of your favorite potatoes when at the supermarket. Better even than that is to have some from last year’s garden stashed away in the cool garage. In a very short time you can have the best fare ~ comfort food, yet healthy food ~ for your family table.

Ingredients for 4 serving French Fries:

• 4 baking potato ~ plan on 1 large potato per person
• 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic powder (optional)
• 1 tsp. onion powder (optional)
• 1 tsp. paprika (optional)
• 1 tsp. chili powder (optional)
• 1 – 1 1/2 tsp. rosemary (optional, but for awesome flavor, mix (infuse) the olive oil with the rosemary in a separate little dish for several hours before baking) Ah, makes my mouth water!

Directions:

1.) Simply wash and cut your spuds (we leave the skin on if they are organic) like normal fries into long pieces in a big mixing bowl. We sometimes all come and cut together: it goes quickly and we can visit. I could perhaps make my fries more uniform and pleasing to the eye, but sometimes, well, I’m just in a hurry to eat!

Or for a quick and easy cut, use a French fry cutter. I had one years ago and loved it, but when we moved, I never found it again, so I do them by hand.

 

2.) Add olive oil or bacon drippings and your seasonings to the French fries and toss together. Set your oven for 375-400°.

3.) Spread the fries out on your baking sheet. I use parchment paper for 2 reasons: to minimize clean-up (just throw away the paper) and to prevent chemicals getting absorbed into my food from the non-stick coating or the aluminum cookie sheet.

4.) Stir your French fries one final time so they are well-coated with seasonings and place your tray on the top rack. Set the timer for 45 minutes. Ovens vary. My husband likes to turn the temp up to 425° for the last 5 minutes, but never leave the kitchen without setting the timer for this.

5.) By this time the warmth of the oven and the emanating savory smells of French fries have drawn everyone to the table. Bring on the ketchup and add sea salt and pepper to taste. It is time to feast!

Bon Appétit!

Notes:

• Avoid buying green potatoes ~ they contain the natural toxin solanine. Light exposure causes greening from chlorophyll synthesis, so store potatoes in a dark place.
• According to Potatoes 101, some potatoes are starchy (baking varieties)  and some are not (boiling varieties). Learn the difference between Idahos and Russets and between Yukon Golds and Kennebecs.
• I would encourage you to grow potatoes for yourself this coming summer. Come visit my post on growing spuds here.

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