Italian Fries {oven baked}

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Aimee got a new camera.

I've wanted a DSLR for years so when a great deal came along, Jason urged me to 'just buy it'

(I think he has grown tired of hearing me rant about taking food pics with a basic p&s)

These are my first attempts at taking food pics using the new camera and while I know I have a lot to learn, I'm already so darn proud of how they look. Especially in comparison to my usual pics!

But enough about my camera. Let's talk about these fries! An Italian twist on the French fry, these babies are easy, versatile, and TASTY! We had a hard time restraining ourselves to not eat the entire baking sheet. They are very flavorful and the cheese forms a salty crust on top. Um, yum!

(psst - these also warm up in the microwave well, which is unusual for fries!)

You could swap out the Italian flavorings for something else - maybe cilantro, cumin, monterey jack for a Tex Mex inspired fry? Possibilities are endless!

*I used 2 large Russets, didn't bother peeling, and it made just one large baking sheet worth. I may have sliced mine thinner - as I love shoestring potatoes - so I just kept an eye on them to avoid burning

Italian Fries
6 or 7 Idaho potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/3-inch-thick French fry-style strips, soaked in cold water (to avoid browning)

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or some combo of dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, and basil

2 cups freshly grated Romano cheese

1/4 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter, cut into 6 cubes

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Drain the potatoes and pat dry with paper towels. Spread 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on each of 2 rimmed baking sheets and spread out the potatoes. Overlapping is fine.

Sprinkle the dried herbs evenly over the potatoes. Liberally spread the cheese and parsley on top. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the cheese. Scatter the cubed butter around the pans.

Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, rotating the pans after 30 minutes, for 45 to 50 minutes total. Use a spatula to lift off the potatoes with all the crusty cheese adhered to them. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Source: Martha Stewart