Potatoes

Fishmama at Lifeasmom is putting out the call for our favorite recipes in her Ultimate Recipes Swap. Check out her blog, and all the links to other blogger's favorite recipes. I know I posted this back in March, but it really is one of my ( and my families) favorites so I'll share it again.

It's amazing to see how many different KINDS of potatoes there are. I guess I was once in the thought pattern that 'apple' meant Red Delicious and 'lettuce' meant iceberg. We most often have used Russet potatoes. They are the common one, easily available, inexpensive and a pretty good taste. In the past few years we've had opportunity to 'get to know' the reds, whites, yellows, and even the fingerlings. I find that by choosing a different variety you can change the taste of a whole meal. Go here to see a chart on who they all are. Watch for sales on them and give them a try. Potatoes are such a great way to start your meal planning... bake, boil, fry, mash, baked french fries... ah, yes... the recipe for the day.

Home Baked Fries

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Scrub as many potatoes as you need ( for this, I could 1 per person, plus about 3 extra for our family of 9.. there are NEVER leftovers)

Slice them into strips either lengthwise for 'regular' fries, or the short direction for round fries.
Place on WELL oiled large cookie sheet. ( I prefer Olive Oil.. about 1/3 cup.) Turn a few times to get the oil spread all over the potatoes.
Season generously with Garlic powder, Onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper.
Bake in hot oven for about 12-15 minutes. Using a metal turner, get under those fries and flip them over. Return to oven and bake until tender - about another 10-12 minutes. I prefer to let them crisp up a bit, my husband likes them a little 'soggy', so his come out early.

For variety, you can use 1/2 regular potatoes and 1/2 sweet potatoes, a variety of potatoes, or add some rutabaga or parsnips with the potatoes.

And speaking of potatoes, found this and thought it was cute...

If GH can stand for P as in Hiccough
If OUGH stands for O as in Dough
If PHTH stands for T as in Phthisis
If EIGH stands for A as in Neighbour
If TTE stands for T as in Gazette
If EAU stands for O as in Plateau

Then the right way to spell POTATO should be: GHOUGHPHTHEIGHTTEEAU