being the health nut that i am, i’m always looking for new ways to make things that feel bad for me but really aren’t – like french fries.

now i’ve tried A LOT of oven baked fries recipes but this is by far the best one i’ve found for getting crispy fries every time. 

easy oven frites recipe courtesy of  family.go.com

Ingredients

2 pounds of russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into fries — 1/2 inch x 3 inches (See Recipe Note below)
2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
kosher or sea salt to taste
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 F degrees.
2. Bring one quart of water to boil at the bottom of a steamer. Place the cut potatoes on the steaming rack of the pot, cover and steam for 10-12 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the potato comes out easily. Take care to not cook the potatoes all the way through (or they will fall apart).
3. Carefully place potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and toss gently. (At this point, potatoes can be set aside and refrigerated until ready to bake.)
4. Using a slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to a large baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally so they brown evenly. When potatoes are done, they should be crisp and deep golden brown.
5. Remove fries from the oven, sprinkle with salt, parsley and garlic if desired. Serve immediately.

Recipe Note: To cut a potato into French fries, simply make long slices every half inch along the potato with a very sharp knife. Turn the potato on its side, and continue to slice in the same direction, making square, “stick”-shaped fries. 

French fries and meatloaf may sound like a calorie laden catastrophe but this dish is anything but!  We took out most of the fat, calories and cholesterol (we don’t need no stinkin’ egg!) but piled on the flavor!

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 pear 1/2 finely chopped, 1/2 sliced thin
• 1/2 c breadcrumbs
• 2 tbs ketchup
• 1 tbs yellow mustard
• 1 tsp minced onion
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbs Worcestershire
• 1/2 tsp mustard seed
• 3 slices reduced fat Gouda cheese

Preheat oven to 375.

In a large bowl, combine turkey, chopped pear, breadcrumbs, ketchup, mustard, minced onion, Worcestershire, salt and pepper and mix to combine.  Don’t over mix though, or you’ll end up with tough meatloaf!

Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or just spray a baking sheet with non stick spray and form mixture into a loaf.

Bake about 45 minutes.  Top with Gouda, pear slices and mustard seeds and broil for 3 -5 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned.

Sweet Potato “Fries”

• 1 large sweet potato, halved and quartered, then sliced into matchsticks
• 1 cup Fiber One Cereal
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup egg substitute
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Combine Fiber One, panko and Italian seasoning in food processor and pulse until you reach a crumb like consistency.  Empty contents onto large plate.  First dip fries in egg, then breading.  Place fries on a rack on top of a baking sheet.  If you don’t have a rack, you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non stick cooking spray.

Bake fries on 375 vwhile your meatloaf cooks.  They take about 20 – 25 minutes to get nice and crispy so put them in about mid way through your loaf.