Homemade Baked French Fries

served simply, with some ketchup

I love making my own french fires. I cook them in the oven with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt. Simple and delicious.

I'm not too picky about the type of potato, I just slice them - skin on - into thin sticks and pour over some olive oil (a few tablespoons, but enough to fully coat them and leave a little on the pan bottom) and some balsamic vinegar (about 2 teaspoons or to taste). Toss the fries - I just use my hands - then spread out on a sheet pan into a single layer, or as close to that as you can. Depending on how many potatoes you used you may need to use a second sheet pan - they will come out much better if they are not crowded. Finally, sprinkle some sea salt over the potatoes before you put them in the oven.

Bake in a 450-475 degree preheated oven. Check them after about 15 minutes or so; use tongs to flip them if you need to. Keep cooking until they are golden brown or you just can't wait any longer.

The olive oil helps them to get really crispy and crunchy on the outside and the balsamic vinegar caramelizes a bit and gives the french fries a lovely flavor. Serve with ketchup. YUM!

baked in a single(ish) layer on a sheet pan

a delicious close up!

Bye for now...

Summertime Grilling

Wow - I can't believe it's been almost nine months since I've posted. I've missed you, blog!! I've started grad school, for counseling psychology, and so sadly, my baking and time in the kitchen has morphed into class, time with huge books on my lap, and writing papers. So far, though (2 semesters in, while working fulltim), I am rocking a 4.0 so I am extremely proud of myself.

I have several old draft posts from last summer and fall, so I'll catch up and post these as I procrastinate finishing a paper.

These photos are from one of our first BBQs of the summer last year (June 2012). Us New Englanders call anything cooked outside, over fire, BBQ...whether or not you make actual BBQ. As soon as the weather is warm enough - or we can make a small path in the snow - we like to cook on the grill. Food always tastes better cooked on the grill.

summertime perfection: grilled corn on the cob and a Sam's Summer Ale

we also baked some potatoes on the grill

bite-sized beets fresh from my veggie delivery...yum

grilled porkchops with a little marinade, salt and pepper

I made a salad with the leftovers

delicious

tossed and ready to enjoy!

Bye for now...