Baked Herbs & Parmesan Fries + Creamy Garlic Dip!

It is no secret that everybody loves potatoes! 
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​Firstly, they come in several different shapes and sizes! As a a main crop that we've got in England, as well as many many parts of the world, they are always easy to access ! As I am currently on self quarantine, I am truly looking to explore and expand more of my culinary skills, which sometimes I am way too busy to do. Now, with potatoes, you can have so much fun. You can mash, bake, fry, roast or barbecue them, as well as turn them into crisps, pancakes or a nice soup! The possibilities are endless. Potatoes are wonderful as they remain thick, consistent and starchy! but still serve as a 'base line' for any other flavours you might want to incorporate. 

​Today I'll be sharing a recipe that is a personal favourite! I just adore fries! but frankly, who doesn't? I am, however, not a big fan of those typical fast food chain style fries as they'll often be packed with added sugars, oodles of preservatives, sodium and be fried with colossaly reused Corn Oil. Even if they do taste delicious, I don't ever feel my best after having them. Both physically and emotionally 😳 You know what I mean? ...

Ingredients

• 5 Russet Potatoes 
• 3/4 cup of olive oil
• Chopped Rosemary to your liking 
• 1 tbs garlic paste 
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• Any other fresh herbs of your choice

1. Start off by chopping your potatoes in wedges. Feel free to make them as thin or as thick as you want. Also, I like to keep the peel on, as it makes the fries more consistent and gives them that nice rustic feel. Plus, it saves a lot of time!

Now, proceed to soaking them in cold water for about two hours, or overnight if you can, in order to remove excess starch, which will then help achieve maximum crispness and less sogginess. 

3. Next up, prepare your olive oil base, by adding rosemary, garlic , salt, pepper and any herb you like!

4. Dry up your potato wedges and place them on an oven pan over parchment paper, and brush your oil mixture over them. 

5. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 30-40 minutes, and test for crispiness with a fork. You can leave them in for a little longer if you'd like them a little more crispy. 

You can enjoy these fries with the sauce of your preference such as tomato ketchup or barbecue sauce. I personally love them with these marvellously creamy garlic sauce. 

The Garlic Sauce

You'll need...

• 1 cup garlic cloves
• 1 tsp of sea salt
• The juice of 1 lemon
• 3 cups canola oil (you may not need all of this)

• Puree garlic cloves with the salt in a food processor until it forms a paste. 
• ​Then, set your processor on low, and slowly add your oil, alternating with your lemon juice. 
• You know it's done when the sauce is white and thick with a similar consistency of mayonnaise. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

Another tip, you can grate whichever cheese of your preference on top of them, and watch as it melts with the heat from the baked potatoes! Making the most delicious and healthy(er) cheese fries has never been easier!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious creation that serves as the best homemade comfort food to share with your family! If you do try one of my recipes, then don't hesitate to share your creations with me on social via (@tatianabellator) or Pinterest! I'd love to see what you come up with!

Xx,

​Tatiana