Sunday, January 24, 2010

Garlic Oven Fries

Garlic Oven FriesI've never met anyone who didn't like fries. A month ago I met someone who said they didn't like potatoes--which really floored me, it's like not liking bread or something--but never someone trying to claim they didn't like fries.

Because they're really about the tastiest food right? It doesn't matter if you're not hungry, if I were to make a plate of these guys and set them in front of you I promise you'd still take a bite. And then probably another.

What's nice too is that being baked, they're a little less evil than normal fries and since I used olive oil it made me feel as if I was at least attempting to be healthy. They're good, I promise you.

Oh, and a final note. I have been taught that when you heat olive oil some of the flavor is mellowed and lost. When producers extract oil from the olives they typically do what's called a "cold press" where they squeeze the olives to get the oil but after several rounds of pressing the fruit, each round yielding less and less oil, they will use heat to get those last drops.

All this means that if you're looking for the best, most flavorful olive oil you want to buy the extra virgin "first cold press" variety. However, once you cook with the olive oil the heating process ruins some of the flavor so if you have a recipe that won't be heated--such as salad dressing--and want maximum flavor, be sure to splurge on the good stuff. But if you're going to be heating the oil such as you would in this recipe then go cheaper and use lighter versions because some of the flavor will be lost anyway.

The original recipe I found at The Purple Foodie. They're good with homemade ketchup, ranch dressing or Thousand Island dressing.

2 tablespoons minced garlic
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 russet potatoea cut into 12 wedges each
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 440 degrees.

In a small saucepan combine garlic and olive oil, warming it over medium low heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Coat a large oven-proof casserole dish with the infused oil.

Add the potatoes and toss to coat. Wrap dish tightly in plastic wrap and microwave on high until the potatoes are beginning to cook around the edges, about 3 to 6 minutes, stirring potatoes half way through.

In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle over the hot, partially-cooked potatoes and toss well to distribute coating. Arrange potatoes on a baking sheet lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake, turning once half-way through, until brown and crisp, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Sponsored by Dimples and Dandelions

17 comments:

thediaperdiaries said...

Baked "fried" chicken is on my menu plan for the week and these will now be served with them. Yum!!!

Janelle said...

Potatoes are one of my favorite foods, but my husband doesn't like them at all. He does, however, like bread. Regarding fries, he's just kind-of "eh" about them. His beef is flavorlessness, so these might not be too bad for him. They sound delicious to me!

Kathy G said...

When he was young, Son #2 would not eat potatoes. Fries were ok, as long as they were skinny and had absolutely NO potato texture. Steak fries were definitely out! Thank goodness he's gotten better as he's matured. I still don't think he'll eat mashed potatoes, though.

Brooke said...

These are so yummy it's one of my kids favorite for me to make!

BONNIE K said...

These sound good. I wish I didn't like potatoes and bread so much!

Michelle said...

These sound fantastic! I can't wait to try them!

Daisy said...

Mmm. These look delicious. My daughter adds garlic salt or garlic powder to her mashed potatoes and potato soup; she'll love this!

Laura said...

I discovered these fries via Purple Foodie a while ago and made them too. They're delicious!

jean said...

We are a potato family! These will be served tomorrow night with hamburgers. Actually, if I make enough maybe we'll skip the burgers entirely. Ketchup is considered a veggie, right?

Unplanned Cooking said...

I love all things potato, but our 3 year old won't touch them (and he'll eat coffee beans, go figure).

Tammy said...

These sound so yummy. I make oven fries already - just drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for about 25 min. at 425*. I will have to try these for sure! What is the corn starch for though? That was an interesting ingredient!

Unknown said...

Potatoes are in the oven now as I wait for the start of the Saints-Viking Game. Geaux Saints!

L D said...

Yum! My toddler doesn't like potatoes (yes, fries included!), but I might be able to tempt her with these ones.

Christine said...

These sound delicious, can't wait to try them. I signed up to get Purple Foodie's emails, can't wait to try more or her recipes! Thanks!

Lei said...

Yum. I love all things fried potatoes!!!

baby cribs said...

Potatoes are my kid's favorite! They all like it so much. Thanks for this nice idea!

Jenni said...

I usually lurk around these parts...I'm a horrible blog commentor, I know, but I am here regularly! I made these the other day and they were awesome! So good, my husband wanted more! I will be making these a regular in our home.

I boiled them instead of putting them in the microwave...yummy! Thanks for the recipe!