Making Memories One Dish at a Time

Quit often, I’ll snap pictures of food or create an outline of recipe in the “draft” mode and then wait. Wait for a day that matches up to what I had in mind. I may have made those tacos months ago, just waiting for the perfect day to share. Today’s recipe is just one of those wait and see recipes.

There really isn’t much of a recipe – and I think I’ve shared the jest of it before. Want oven “fried” fries? Use some oil. Not a gallon, but just a coating for that fried finish. What makes these oven fries so awesome is the way they are baked – on a wire rack. I have a copper fry rack just made for the oven and everything “fried” on it just naturally comes out better, more crisp. Don’t have one? That’s okay, use a wire rack inside a rimmed baking pan. It will accomplish the same thing, allowing hot air to circulate around the food.

So why this recipe today? It’s National Kids in the Kitchen Day. And let’s face it, very few kids are turning down French Fries. With adult supervision, kids can help in the kitchen. Sure, having them pull the tray of fries from the oven might not be a good idea. However, let them shake the frozen fries in a bag to coat them in oil. Or shake on the salt. Letting children feel helpful does wonders for their self-esteem while building skills for that day when they finally fly from the nest.

Spending time in the kitchen with our children builds memories that will carry them through and help to form those traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.

Have fun!

Best “Fried” Oven French Fries
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1/2 bag Frozen French Fries
Salt to taste

Heat oven to 425-degrees.

Pour vegetable oil into a gallon zip-lock bag. Add frozen French Fries. Close bag, shake or rub to coat fries well in oil.

Dump on rack, oil and all. The excess oil will drip down onto the tray, leaving a thin coating on the fries. Season generously with salt.

Bake according to package directions (Crinkle or large fries 25-29 minutes; Shoestring or Fast Food Cut 15 minutes).

About half way through baking “fry” time, shake the pan for even browning.

Perfect every time.

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Note: If your house is like mine, you might have some crinkle cut fries and some fast food fries in the freezer, not enough in either bag to make fries for your burgers. That’s okay. Start with the crinkle fries at one end of the rack. Place in the oven, empty side closest to the oven door. After 15 minutes, remove rack, spread fast food fries on the empty side, rotate the pan and bake another 10 to 15 minutes.