Fried Potatoes! We used to have them when I was a kid. Especially in the summer, during our holidays on the island, my mother prepared them with fried eggs! Then she became an advocate of healthy food, and the fried potatoes drifted into oblivion. Years later, on a trip to Madrid I had fried potatoes and eggs in an upscale tapas restaurant. This was my madeleine  moment! And then, again, I lost the fried potatoes thread for more years. Now we sometimes have them as a treat for our son ( I mean how can he grow up without knowing what real fried potatoes are? ).  Nevertheless, we always feel that we are pushing the envelope of what is acceptable a little too far.

After rigorous research we concluded that we found a very good alternative. They taste really good. 

Besides the default way to prepare them, we suggest another three alternatives : with feta, garlic (optional) and oregano, with paprika and garlic and with truffle oil and parmesan.

Sometimes we go for a oven baked fries extravaganza and make all 4 alternatives. It’s fun to taste and compare. Of course you can choose just one version and go with that, or even improvise.

Serves 4 as a side dish

6 large potatoes (1,2kg) skin on (you can peel them if you prefer), cut into 1,5 cm wide fries

For the default oven baked fries

• 15ml olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fine semolina
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

For the feta cheese and oregano oven baked fries

• 15 ml olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fine semolina
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

For the paprika oven baked fries

• 15 ml olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fine semolina
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika

For the truffle oil and parmesan oven baked fries

• 15ml olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fine semolina
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp truffle oil
• 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese,  finely grated

Preheat the oven to 220ºC (fan).

Place a large saucepan of salted water over a high heat. Bring to a boil, add the potatoes and boil for 5 minutes.

Drain and set aside to dry out for 5 minutes. Divide into 4 batches and transfer into 4 different bowls.

For the default baked fries, mix all the ingredients gently together and set aside.

For the feta cheese and oregano baked fries mix the olive oil, semolina, sea salt, black pepper, minced garlic and dried oregano and set aside.

For the paprika baked fries mix all the ingredients gently together and set aside.

For the truffle oil fries mix the olive oil, semolina, sea salt, black pepper and set aside.

Prepare two large baking trays by dividing each of them into two compartments with foil and line each compartment with baking parchment.

Spread each batch out onto a parchment lined baking tray compartment. Take care to spread the potatoes in a single layer, evenly spaced so that the potatoes are not touching each other. 

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.

Take the cooked fries out of the oven and place each batch into a separate bowl.

For the truffle fries, sprinkle with the truffle oil and the grated parmesan cheese.

For the feta cheese fries, add the crumbled feta ontop.

Serve immediately as a side dish or as finger food with our homemade ketchup.