Family Favorite Baked Fries (and variations)

By mamacasma

Ingredients

• 6 russet potatoes or potato type of your choice (try red, yellow, white or fingerlings)
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme, picked from stems
• 5 Tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe covered dish.
3. Microwave on HIGH for 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool.
4. Cut each potato lengthwise into 8 even wedges
5. In a large mixing bowl toss the potatoes with garlic cloves, olive oil and thyme, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
6. Arrange the potatoes and garlic in a single layer on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10 minutes until the potatoes are crisp, rotate and cook an additional 10 minutes until dark golden brown on all sides.
8. Transfer to a plate and serve.

Variations:

Fresh Rosemary Fries Directions-

Follow original directions, but omit thyme and garlic and replace with 4 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, reduce olive oil to two tablespoons.

Baked Chili-Cheese Fries Directions-
Omit thyme, garlic cloves, olive oil and black pepper. Stir together 3 teaspoons chili powder and 2 teaspoons each: dried cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder and ground cumin in a small bowl. Sprinkle on potatoes before baking. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese over cooked “fries” and bake for a minute or 2 longer to melt cheese.

Steakhouse Baked Barbecue Fries Directions-
Omit thyme, garlic cloves and olive oil. Stir together salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons garlic powder and 2 teaspoons onion powder in a small bowl. Brush potato wedges with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, then sprinkle seasonings over potatoes before baking.