Saturday, February 6, 2010

Oven Baked French Fries

I love French fries so much that I am now on a quest to find a somewhat healthy version…which would be baked fries.

Here are some variations that are cooked in the oven. Write me and let me know which one you like best. The first recipe, Garlic Fries, is from Cooking Light Magazine and is one of my favorites.

                                                              This photo and recipe from Cooking Light
Garlic French Fries
4 teaspoons canola oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 pounds peeled baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons butter
8 garlic cloves, minced (about 5 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, tossing to coat. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning after 20 minutes.
Place butter and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add potatoes, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to pan; toss to coat. Serve immediately.


Oven French Fries
3 large baking potatoes

¼ cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
Extra kosher salt for sprinkling

Set the oven at 400 degrees.
Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Cut across the slices to make thin matchsticks.
Fill a large bowl with ice-cold water and stir in the salt. Soak the potatoes for 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, rinse, and pat dry.
Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets with olive oil. Spread the potatoes on the sheets and sprinkle with olive oil. With your hands, toss them so they’re covered with oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Bake the potatoes for 10 minutes. With a spatula, flip them over. Continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes, turning often, or until the potatoes are crisp and golden. (Total cooking time is 40 to 50 minutes.)

Baked French Fries
4 (2 lb) large potatoes
8 C ice water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Scrub potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch strips.
Place potato strips into ice water, cover, and chill for 1 hour or longer.
Remove potatoes and dry strips thoroughly.
Place garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white pepper, allspice, and pepper flakes in plastic bag.
Toss potatoes in spice mixture.
Brush potatoes with oil.
Place potatoes in nonstick shallow baking pan.
Cover with aluminum foil and place in 475 °F oven for 15 minutes.
Remove foil and continue baking uncovered for additional 15–20 minutes or until golden brown. Turn fries occasionally to brown on all sides.

Bon Appetit!