Get the Recipe:Oven-baked Fries with Cheese and Gravy
Comfort food lightened up a bit. These oven baked fries are delicious and easy. Combined with a bit of gravy, cheese and fresh herbs, it's sure to satisfy with out the deep frying part.
2-3Tablespoonsvegetable, canola, sunflower or olive oil
Toppings:
1/2cupold white cheddar cheese, grated
1/4cupParmesan, grated
1/4cupfresh flat-leafed parsley, chopped
2Tablespoonsfresh cilantro, chopped
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Instructions
Prepare the gravy: In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, stirring regularly, for about 5 minutes, until the mixture turns golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds.
Add the beef and chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Stir in the cornstarch and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Season with pepper. Taste and add additional salt, if necessary, to taste. Make ahead and re-warm or keep warm until your fries are ready.
For the oven-baked fries: Wash the potatoes well and cut into uniform sticks about 1/2-inch thick. (*I like to remove the skin only from the sides and the ends. That way I end up with a rough rectangle with a bit of skin here and there. The rectangle is easier to cut into slices, and then to cut each slice into sticks.)
Put the cut potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches . Add the vinegar. Bring the pot to the boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, then spread the potatoes out on some paper towel to absorb moisture. Move them to a wire rack, in a single layer, and allow them to dry completely, about 30 minutes. Make sure your potatoes are thoroughly dry before baking.
Preheat oven to 435 ° F. with the racks in the upper and lower third of the oven. Place dried potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat thoroughly. Spread potatoes evenly onto two baking sheets. Leave some space between, if possible and be sure they are in a single layer.
Bake 15 minutes then, turn the fries over and rotate the baking sheets top to bottom. Bake an additional 20 – 30 minutes, rotating pans top to bottom once more, until uniformly golden brown.
To serve: In a large bowl, toss fries with hot gravy to coat. Sprinkle with cheeses and fresh herbs. Toss to combine. Season with freshly ground pepper and a bit of salt. Serve immediately.