Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

I used to not be a big TV watcher. Growing up we didn’t have cable (and I still don’t) and since there were four of us kids, sometimes it was easier to just get lost in a good book than fight over the TV. Yeah, sure, there were a few shows that I loved (like every child growing up in the 80’s and 90’s TGIF was a weekly routine and so was Saturday morning cartoons) but ‘binge watching’ didn’t exist back then.

In high school, to keep up in conversations with friends, I got into a few shows. You know, like Friends and Dawson’s Creek, and towards the end CSI and Gilmore Girls. But still, this was the time before DVRs and if you missed the show, and I often did, you just missed the show.

Then in college I lived with roommates for a few years and getting to watch your show was also non-existent. Basically I only got hooked on popular shows like The O.C. and One Tree Hill, purely because of roommates and friends.

Once I got my own place the TV was all mine, but honestly, even then I never watched it! I was busy with school, work and living life! I never got to see how those shows ended, after all that investment.

Fast forward to today. Now with things like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, I can catch up on all these shows and more. For years I have waited patiently for Gilmore Girls to be added so that I can finally see the end and to say I was giddy when I discovered that in fact Netflix now has all seven seasons is an understatement (it’s the little things in life).

It is in not in my nature to sit and truly ‘binge watch’ TV. If I am watching TV I am always doing something; like laundry, doing paper work, clipping coupons or working. Since most of these activities can take a little bit of time, it is easy to watch several episodes back to back. It is also easy to get distracted. Like now, as I sit and type this, The Good Wife is playing and I can’t think of anything else good to write about… except TV and how I can’t believe one of the main characters just… well I won’t spoil it (FYI: I am half way through season five).

So now that I have bored you long enough, with distracted ramblings nothing to do with this recipe; I am turning off the TV to head somewhere (like my patio or a coffee shop) so that I can concentrate and really focus on writing.

Oh wait, before I go… the recipe. We love baked French fries. It is my go-to side dish for so many things and while we normally love them seasoned like this French fry recipe, I also like to change them up! Toasting some garlic and adding a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is a simple and fancy way to dress up your basic baked fry!

One Year Ago: Pumpkin Granola Bars
Two Years Ago: Owl S’mores
Three Years Ago: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Four Years Ago: Breakfast Stuffing
Five Years Ago: Jerk Chicken

Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries
by Heather H. of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com
Printable Version
Prep Time: 8-10 minutes Cook Time: 25-30 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
2 large Russet potatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Heat oil in a small sauce pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.

Place sliced potatoes in a large bowl. Pour garlic infused oil over fries. Add Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper; toss to coat.

Arrange fries in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until fries are crispy and tender.

Serve immediately topped with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestions: These fries would be the perfect accompaniment to these Parmesan Pesto Chicken Burgers or Seared Sirloin Steak with Sweet Balsamic Wine Sauce for a tasty twist on steak and pommes frites.

Other recipes you might enjoy:
Seasoned Shoestring Fries with Creamy Mesquite Fry Sauce
Carrot Fries
Barbecue Fries 
Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
Pie Fries