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French Fries!
Do I need to say more?
How about “not fried?”
How about “easy?”
How about “you will make these 5 nights in a row?”
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Do you think Jesse McCartney REALLY cooks?
These were born from three inspirations – one was a little recipe in People Magazine from boy pop tart Jesse McCartney (“Cooking is a really nice way of saying, ‘I’m going to care for you.’ ”). Awwww…but still, there’s his recipe for Parmesan Fries staring at me from the page. And it looks good!
Secondly, my tween daughter and I went to the Music Center to see a matinee of “South Pacific,” and we grabbed a quick lunch at Kendall’s Brasserie nearby. Their Pomme Frites Maison (“house French fries,” $7) were a revelation – garlicky, herby with chopped parsley, and just so good we barely breathed while eating them. If we had asked for two orders, we would have eaten them all. Glad, for our sake, we stopped at one.
Thirdly, in 2005, I won a national “Peak Rewards” recipe contest sponsored by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, with a recipe for Oven Parmesan Fries in which I used dried oregano and grated Parmesan. Yowza, were they ever good, I remembered!
So with my 2005 recipe as a start, Jesse’s recipe as a prod, and the Kendall’s flavors as a goal, we made a recipe mashup and now have the scary good Best Ever Oven Parmesan Fries. (Because I don’t speak French, I can’t honestly call them Pomme Frites.)
Here’s a quick tutorial to get you in the mood for fries. As if you needed any prodding whatsoever.
First, wash and dry potatoes, and cut them into sticks
Next, toss the potato sticks in a little olive oil
Then add herbs and toss again to coat
After the first bake, toss with garlicky Parmesan until coated
A close-up of the deliciousness! Can you smell it?
Out of the oven and looking mighty fine
Best Ever Oven Parmesan Fries
4 large potatoes, keep skin on (about 2 pounds)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground thyme (or use poultry seasoning or dried oregano)
A few grinds of fresh black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed fresh garlic
1/4 cup finely minced fresh Italian parsley
Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Wash and dry potatoes, and cut them into French fry-size strips*. Place in large bowl and drizzle oil over. Toss until coated. Sprinkle with thyme and pepper and toss well until evenly coated.
Place on ungreased baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 30 minutes. While potatoes are baking, rinse out bowl and dry. In same bowl, stir together salt, cheese and garlic. Set aside.
Remove potatoes from oven and scrape into bowl with cheese. Using two spoons, toss potatoes until garlicky cheese coats them. Scrape potatoes back onto baking sheet in a single layer, and bake another 10 minutes. Make sure all cheese mixture is on potatoes. (Do not wash bowl yet.)
Remove from oven and return to same bowl. Add parsley and toss until hot fries are coated with parsley.
Makes 4 servings. (Oh, who are we kidding? Makes 1 serving if no one else is around!)
*How to cut potatoes into French fry strips:
First way: Cut each potato into 3 flat “rafts.” Stack rafts and cut lengthwise into strips the size of fries.
Second way: For shorter fries, cut potato in half lengthwise, and then in half widthwise. Cut each potato quarter into 5 or 6 slices.
Dinner is served! Ham slices, corn, cole slaw and Best Ever Oven Parmesan Fries
Welcome to my kitchen!
At ShockD, you’ll find scrumptious, tried & true, "scary good" recipes, tips and coaching to make YOU a fabulous home cook! Don't blame me if you need a 12-step program to wean yourself away!
E-mail me: Dorothy.Reinhold@gmail.com
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Look like a great twist for chips. I’d like the taste after the herbs and Parmesan.
Love what I see! I never had french fries with Parmesan cheese but I have had baked potato with ranch dressing. On my next french fry day I would love to this. Thank you so much.
Like, how easy is this fries recipe! I love that it’s packed with flavor and I’ve always liked the combination of parmesan, garlic, and potatoes! It’s the best! Thanks for making sure it’s not fried too.
I always fry fries and they are so greasy. this looks much better. I have to try it this way.
Hey happy French Fry Day love me some poutine I love it. Your parmesan fries look also really good now I am hungry =)
Parmesan Fries would be great right. The best thing is that they are baked instead of fried.
I saw these fries on your FB page and hopped on over. I’ve got to try to make these. I love fries made every which way and these look especially delicious.
First of all these chips sound absolutely delicious! Also is jesse mccartney back or something?? My gosh he was my favourite as a teen LOL!
OMG, this looks so good! Looks like a great addition to our cookout menu this summer. 😉
I’m so glad for this now that the weekend is near! By the way, love your sense of humor!
Cynthia,
Thank you! I aim to amuse. 🙂
Oh My! Must try this – Love french fries – love parm & love baking my fries! Thanks for sharing – I’m sure this will be a big hit in my home!
OMG those fries look so freaking delicious! I’ve got make them for dinner tonight!
Chef Dennis,
They are AWESOME, if I do say so myself. 🙂
Just discovered your web site…wonderful!!!! I already have so many things I read that I want to cook! Thank you for a wonderful addition to my computer!
fellow cookbook freak
I cannot wait for your cookbook to come out. All you recipes are AMAZING!
OMG! These look absolutely amazing! I have to try these as soon as possible. Do you think it world work with sweet potatoes? Parmesan and garlic…I’m sold.
French fries? Save some for me, I’m on my way over!!! [K]
This couldn’t look simpler, and I am soooo there for that parmesan yum. Great post, thanks for this!
Patti,
I have made this 3 times in the past week. That says it all!