Don’t hate potatoes just because those irresistible crispy French fries are loaded with fat and sodium. Spuds are not your enemies, but the grease they’re cooked in and the tons of salt sprinkled on them!
French fries are actually good for you if they weren’t deep fried and they’re not strewn with a lot of salt. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C that keeps your skin looking young and healthy, as well as makes your immune system stay strong. Compared to bananas, potatoes also contain more potassium — a mineral that’s good for the blood pressure and your heart. What’s more, those starchy plant tubers contain plenty of dietary fiber that helps ward off not only constipation, but also colon cancer!
We all agree that French fries are a delight to munch on. However, they can cause your arteries to get clogged up and your waistline to end up really wide. Fortunately, you don’t have to turn your back completely on those golden-brown strips of heaven. That’s because you can make up your own version of French fries at home that are undeniably healthier (even tastier!) than the ones available at your favorite fast food joint.
The secret is steering clear of animal fat and the deep fryer, and considerably reducing the amount of salt. By baking strips of potatoes and adding a healthy ingredient that adds a dash of saltiness, you can enjoy French fries that are not as bad for your health as the ones that are packed with fat, cholesterol, calories and sodium that everybody loves.
Here’s the super easy-to-follow recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- 4 teaspoons of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Procedure:
- Scrub your potatoes very well because it’s a great idea to keep the peel intact — that’s where much of the health-giving nutrients of potatoes can be found.
- Chop up your clean potatoes into 1/2-inch thick strips. Try to slice your spuds evenly so that they will cook evenly.
- Grab a large bowl and fill it with water. Add some ice cubes. Dunk your sliced potatoes in cold water and leave them there for about 20 minutes. This will help remove some of the starch, allowing your French fries to end up really crispy.
- While soaking your potatoes in cold water, get your hands on a large baking sheet and line with aluminum foil. Brush with olive oil.
- Take your sliced spuds out of the cold water and pat them dry with paper towel. Make sure that you remove as much water as you can.
- Stash your potatoes in a plastic container together with the remaining olive oil. Cover and gently shake to have the strips coated with olive oil.
- Remove the cover, sprinkle your potatoes with salt and ground black pepper. Cover the container and shake once more.
- Neatly arrange your potato strips on the baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake your potatoes in an oven at 45 degrees for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, turn the strips and bake again for another 12 minutes or until they are already golden-brown.
- Transfer the baked French fries on a serving plate and sprinkle your grated parmesan cheese on them.
That’s how trouble-free it is to make French fries at home that won’t ruin your health! They’re the perfect snack because potatoes contain vitamin C, potassium and fiber, and they are not packed with fat like the ones fast food joints offer. Grated parmesan cheese adds a dash of saltiness so you don’t have to sprinkle a lot of salt on your French fries. As a bonus, your body is supplied with protein, calcium and phosphorous, courtesy of the added parmesan cheese.
