Serve these crunchy but tender, easy-to-make fries with Chipotle Dipping Sauce for a zingy treat. Or, whip up a sweet, delicious Cinnamon Sugar version of the fries to serve as a mouthwatering, surprising dessert. (Find instructions on how to make all three below.) Helpful tip: Boiling the fries before baking them gives them a much crunchier texture on the outside while they remain tender on the inside.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes, cut into ½ inch strips
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil. Place potatoes in pot and boil for about 6-8 minutes or until al dente.
- Drain potatoes, then dry with paper towels.
- Mix remaining ingredients in medium-sized bowl. Place potatoes in the mixture and coat evenly.
- Spread sweet potatoes on a cookie sheet. (Use two sheets if the potatoes are touching—if they do, they will steam instead of roast.)
- Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until golden and crispy, turning them occasionally.
- Remove and serve with Chipotle Dipping Sauce (recipe below).
To Make Cinnamon Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Follow the recipe above, replacing the dry ingredients with ¼ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. These also taste great served with Chipotle Dipping Sauce.
To Make Chipotle Dipping Sauce
Heat a cast iron skillet to smoking hot. Place 1 ripe (red) jalapeno on the skillet and cover with a lid or pan to create a roasting effect. Rotate the pepper every minute or so until all sides are charred, then remove stem and skin from pepper. Place the pepper, 1 cup mayonnaise, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and a pinch of salt into a blender or food processor, then blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Stacy Harris is pioneering the farm-to-fork eating movement that includes harvesting wild animals in addition to domesticated animals and homegrown fruits and vegetables. She's the author of several books about sustainable living for healthy families. For more recipes like this, check out her website at GameandGarden.com and her Facebook page.