Oven Baked French Fries

Who doesn't love french fries?? Especially a delicious baked version?! These would be great with any sandwich type meal!

Oven Baked French Fries
Source: Allrecipes.com

Ingredients
1 large baking potato - I used 2
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Cut potato into wedges. Mix olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder and onion powder together. Coat potatoes with oil/spice mixture and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 45 minutes in preheated oven.

Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Extremely cold... single digit January day.... Indulgent mashed potatoes. AHH - does that sound good or what?! I definetly wouldn't use this as my regular mashed potatoes but for special occaisions or extra comfort... why not.

Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Source: Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed and quartered
4 cloves garlic
Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, warm
1 stick cold butter, cut into 9 pats

Directions
Place the potatoes and garlic in a large sauce pan. Cover with 1 to 2 inches cold water and season generously with salt. The water should taste like the sea. TASTE IT! If the water is under seasoned at this point it will be hard to have a well seasoned end product. Bring the pot of water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes and garlic well and pass through a food-mill or ricer. (I just used a hand potato masher and it worked great). DO NOT use a food processor or blender. It will result in a very sticky and rubbery end product.

While passing the potatoes, bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Once the cream has come to a boil remove from the heat.

While the potatoes are still hot add 1/3 of the cream and butter and stir vigorously into the potatoes. Repeat this process 2 more times until all of the cream and butter has incorporated. Taste the potatoes for seasoning and add salt, if needed. Serve immediately or cover with foil and keep warm in an oven on low heat.

Pan-Seared Pork with Potatoes and Lemon

I am not sure where I got this recipe.  It was one of those little torn out recipes that lays around.  I am glad I found it.  A nice, different, easy weeknight meal.

Pan-Seared Pork with Potatoes and Lemon

2 TBSP. olive oil

1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

coarse salt and ground pepper

3 scallions, thinly sliced (I did have scallions so I used a sweet onion)

1 pork tenderloin - 1 lb (I used boneless pork loin chops, it's what I had)

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

~ In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat.  Add potatoes;  season with salt and pepper.  Cook, tossing occasionally, until golden brown;  8 to 10 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup water;  Cover and cook until potatoes are tender and the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.  Add scallions;  Cook 1 minute.  Transfer mixture to a bowl, and keep warm.  (since I used some onion, rather than a scallion, I added it earlier)

~  Using a sharp knife, cut tenderloin crosswise into 12 slices.  Press pork slices between your hands to flatten evenly.  (I just pounded out my chops to be thinner and equal in size)

~In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat.  Working in two batches, cook pork until browned, about 2 minutes per side, adding lemon slices in the last 2 minutes of cooking.

~  Serve pork with lemons and potatoes.  Top with chopped cilantro.

Potato Slabs

Who doesn't love potato skins?? Much less an easier version. Thanks to Amber's Delectable Delights for the recipe! Perfect Super Bowl fare!

Potato Slabs

Source: Amber's Delectable Delights

Ingredients

2 russet potatoes

Salt, to taste

Black pepper to taste

Paprika, to taste

1/3 cup colby-jack cheese

5 slices of bacon, cooked & diced

Green onions for garnish, if desired

Sour cream, if desired

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375. Clean and scrub potatoes well. Slice the potatoes into 1/4" thick slices. Place potatoes on lightly buttered baking sheet and season each side with salt, black pepper and paprika. Cook for 30 minutes. Flip potatoes over and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

2. Remove plan from oven and place a pinch of cheese and bacon on top of each potato slab. Return the pan to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Serve with green onions and sour cream, if desired.