Oven Roasted Potatoes

This is a go-to side dish for us but I try to mix things up by cutting the potatoes in different shapes. I don't think it fools Chris but he likes these anyway. This time I cut them like large french fries but I've also done really skinny fries, which are probably my favorite. Cutting them into small cubes is great too - somehow it makes it feel fancier if they are not in french fry shape. The method comes from Jamie Oliver's "Cook with Jamie". He is probably my favorite tv chef so check out "Jamie at Home" or any of his other shows if you get a chance. Maybe it's the British accent??

Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 small or about 1/2 lb of russet potatoes (brown ones you use for baked potatoes)
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• olive oil
• course salt and pepper
• your choice of seasonings - fresh rosemary is my favorite but you can also just use the salt and peppter

Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 425.
2. Rinse your potatoes and scrub off any dirt.
3. Fill a large pot with cold water.
4. Cut your potatoes in half down the center, then make several, 1/2 inch slices in each half.
   
   

5. Cut each slice into 3-4 pieces, so they look like fries. Drop the fries into your cold water as you go.
   
   

6. When all of your taters are cut and in the pot, set the pot over high heat.
7. Line a baking sheet with foil and drizzle 1-2 TBSP of olive oil on the foil.
   
   

8. Smash your garlic cloves with the flat side of your knife but don't peel them. You'll also want to chop your rosemary here if you're using it.
9. Once your pot starts bubbling, add about 2 TBSP of salt.
10. When it's really boiling and bubbling, drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink and leave them there to steam for a bit.
11. While the potatoes are steaming, stick your foil lined baking sheet into your hot oven for 3-4 minutes.
12. Pull out the baking sheet and carefully add your garlic cloves, potatoes and any seasonings to the hot oiled pan. Be sure to add salt and pepper here too - probably 3-4 tsp of each.
13. Use a large spatula to toss everything around until all the potatoes are coated with the oil and seasonings.

Cook

1. Place your baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 10 minutes.
2. After 10 minutes, take out the baking sheet and flip the potatoes around with a large spatula.
   
   

3. Do the cook and flip thing 3-4 more times until the potatoes are done to your liking. Mine usually cook for about 40 minutes. Peel the garlic cloves and enjoy with the potatoes. As they roast in the skins, they'll get soft, mild and sweet. (Chris doesn't like them so, more for me!)