French Fries :

French fries are cheap but time consuming to make from scratch at home, so if you run short on time, use frozen ones. If you find a good deal on the frozen kind, it's still cheaper than a side order at any fast food restaurant. You can mimic the special flavors by using seasoned salt instead of plain.

Put them briefly in sugar water just before putting them into hot oil and they'll brown nicely. (It also helps that fast food flavor!)