French Fries!

   Do you ever get a craving for french fries?  I confess, I have gone to a fast food restaurant just for the fries.  But so often, I pass on fries because deep-fried potatoes aren't exactly healthy.  Luckily, I found this recipe online for homemade, baked french fries.

Healthy French Fries:

Step 1: Peel your ‘taters. This isn’t necessary, though, but if you decide you want the skin on make sure you scrub-wash them first. At this time remember to preheat your oven to 450 degrees.


Step 2: Cut them into strips. I like this size, but sometimes like steak size or even rounds.


Step 3: Place potatoes in colander and rinse the starch off of them.


Step 4: Pat down the potatoes. Make them as dry as possible.


Step 5: Drizzle Olive Oil over potatoes.


Step 6: Salt those babies up. (I use Kosher salt.)


Step 7: Mix them up so they all get coated with the olive oil and salt.


Step 8: Arrange them, on a baking sheet, in a single layer

Step 9: Add anything else you like. On this day I used garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper. You can use any herb or spice that your heart desires, like basil, oregano, chili powder, Parmesan cheese, etc..

Step 10: Place the potatoes into your preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11: Flip and continue to bake for 5-10 minutes.

And then, voila…. Healthy French Fries!!

Notes: I made three batches of fries, using different seasonings for each.  I used Emril's original essence (Cajun seasoning) for the first batch, pepper and garlic powder for the second, and seasoned salt for the third.  I loved the cajun fries, mostly because they weren't too oily.  On the first batch I used a spray bottle for the olive oil, but after that I got lazy and just drizzled the oil out of the bottle.  Bad idea!  It was too much, especially on the last batch.  Maybe that's why the third batch was a little burnt...  All of my batches were a little tougher than restaurant fries, but I blame that on baking, not frying.  At any rate, these are gluten-free and vegan!  Very "special diet" friendly, and healthy, since you control what goes into it!