Oven Fries

When we have hamburgers or hot dogs for dinner, my husband usually requests French fries as a side.  I've made "real" French fries for him on occassion, but those can be a hassle to make.  I don't have a deep fryer, so I pour oil in a deep skillet, cut potatoes into sticks, and deep fry them.  When I do this, my house reeks like oil for a few days and my kitchen ends up covered in grease.  Oven fries are a great alternative as they don't make a big mess and they're quite a bit healthier than the deep-fried type.

You can purchase frozen French fries, but those are deep fried, making them less healthy.  In addition, the price of frozen potatoes is much higher than that of fresh.

Seasoned Oven Fries
4 medium russet potatoes (as uniform in size as possible)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a jelly roll pan with heavy duty foil for easier clean-up.  Spray foil with cooking spray.

Peel potatoes, if desired, then cut each potato into 8 equal wedges.

Lay potatoes on prepared pan.  Pour oil over potatoes and toss to coat.  Sprinkle remaining ingredients on potatoes and toss to coat.  Arrange potato wedges in a single layer and place in preheated oven.

Bake for 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning once.

If you'd like plain oven fries, coat potato wedges in olive oil, then salt.  Bake in a 475 degree oven for 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning once.  Add more salt if desired.