I love french fries. Thick cut, curly, shoestring, seasoned… you name it, I eat it. Here’s the thing, though: they have got to be fried. Believe me when I tell you that I’ve had my shared of delicious baked “fries.” I really have. But, if you ask me, they are a different animal (like how deep dish pizza is a whole other thing than NY style pie). You’ve got to be careful when working with a classic but, when it comes to making baked “fries” at home, I figure I have license to experiment.
My latest are Polenta “Fries” and they are gooooood.
Polenta is a kind of cornmeal that comes ground (think coarse to fine grains) or “prepared” (found in a tube in the refrigerator section). It’s a quick cook ingredient, similar to couscous, which makes these fries easy to make with an even easier to make version. Let’s start with EASY:
* Cook ground polenta according to package instructions (I like to use chicken or veggie broth instead of water and stir in lots of grated cheese at the end — parmesan or pecorino like in this polenta recipe, or try my Smoked Gouda Polenta)
* Spread a 1/2″ layer of cooked polenta on a rimmed cookie sheet
* Cool for at least one hour in the fridge
* Cut into “fries” and coat them lightly with oil (spray or use your fingers to rub olive oil on all sides)
* Lay them in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet
* Sprinkle with salt and bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown
Now here’s the EVEN EASIER VERSION:
* Cut prepared polenta into fry shapes and coat them lightly with oil
* Bake as per instructions above.
Serve with your favorite french fry dipping sauce and you’re, well, golden.
Oh, and BONUS: these are an awesome toddler finger food! Blot off the extra oil and hand ‘em over to your little one. If your Hungry Baby is just beginning to eat finger foods, bake their fries for less time so that they hold together, but are still soft on the outside.
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Kids change the way we cook, but they don’t have to change how well we eat. Read more of Stacie’s family-friendly recipes and tips at One Hungry Mama.