Recipe: Ultimate Oven Fries (soaked in hot water before baking)

ULTIMATE OVEN FRIES

"You'll never go back to bagged oven fries again, especially when you discover how easy it is to prepare oven fries. Don't skip the soaking step, as it helps produce the crunchy, browned crust.

3 russet potatoes, cut lengthwise into 10 to 12 evenly sized wedges
5 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil, divided use
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste

Adjust oven rack to lowest position; preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Place potatoes in large bowl and cover with hot tap water; soak 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, coat large, heavy-duty baking sheet with 4 tablespoons oil and sprinkle evenly with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside.

Drain potatoes. Spread potatoes on a triple layer of paper towels and thoroughly pat dry with additional paper towels. Rinse and wipe out bowl; return potatoes to bowl and toss with 1 remaining tablespoon oil.

Arrange potatoes on single layer on prepared baking sheet; cover tightly with foil and bake 5 minutes.

Remove foil and continue to bake until bottoms of potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating baking sheet after 10 minutes.

Using metal spatula and tongs, scrape to loosen potatoes from pan, then flip each wedge, keeping potatoes in a single layer. Continue baking until fries are golden and crisp, 5 to 15 minutes longer, rotating pan as needed if fries are browning unevenly.

Transfer fries to a second baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Makes 3 to 4 servings
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 14, 2009