French Fries
Servings
4Serving size
about 4 ouncesThis recipe can easily be multiplied by 2, but must be cooked in two batches. These do not keep very well at all.
Ingredients
| 24 ounces Idaho potatoes |
| 6 quart Water |
| 4 tsp. Baking powder |
| 2 tsp. Olive oil |
| 1/8 tsp. Salt |
Instructions
While the water is coming to a boil, peel and cut the potatoes into 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch strips.
When the water begins to boil reduce the heat to a simmer and add the baking powder while stirring gently. The water will foam slightly.
Add the potatoes and stir gently.
Let the potatoes cook for 10 minutes.
Remove and let the potatoes cool.
Place a large cookie sheet (preferably non-stick) in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
When the oven is hot, add the olive oil to the cookie sheet and then the potatoes.
Toss to coat well and then roast for 30 minutes. Shake the pan every 10 minutes.
Serve immediately topped with the salt.
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Special Diet Information
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Lactose
This recipe is safe for those who are lactose intolerant.
Recipe Notes
Oven fried foods are just like deep fried ones, if you handle them right. Most of the time, you have to eat the dish right away. These French Fries, for instance, will keep for all of about 20 minutes (about the same amount of time as ones that have been deep fried).
This technique of precooking the potatoes in the water with the baking powder works wonders. The baking powder contains some cornstarch along with both baking soda and either sodium acid pyrophosphate or sodium aluminum sulfate. These three work well to create a coating on the outside of the potato that helps them crisp better and is definitely worth taking the extra step.
The best part is that your own French Fries are lower in calories and contain much better quality of fats: these French Fries have 170 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, no saturated fat, 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 3 grams of fiber, while Fast Food Fries have 220 calories, 10 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, and 3 grams of fiber (the amount of monounsaturated fat is not reported).