Salt and Pepper Oven Fries

I love seasonings. I love a well seasoned anything. These fries are very tasty and easy to make. They make a great side dish when paired with a juicy cheeseburger.

Salt and Pepper Fries are a tasty alternative to just plain french fries. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or just plain ketchup. For more oven fries variations click the Salt and Pepper Oven Fries link.

Salt and Pepper Oven Fries

MyRecipes.com and Southern Living, September 2009

Makes 8 to 10 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (26 oz) package frozen extra crispy French fries
• 3/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

And Action:

Cook the french fries according to the package directions. Once they are crispy and golden brown toss with the black pepper and salt. 

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Crispy Carrot Fries

I know. It has been less than a week since I posted a similar recipe, Cumin Carrot Fries, but to my defense these don't have ground cumin seasoning them. So there. They're different.

For those of you following the trend that is, "Meatless Monday", you could add these as a quick and easy side dish. I figured I would try the concept out on Mr. Sideline Chef and when the plate was set in front of him, Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes and Crispy Carrot Fries, he no longer had any reservations regarding the lack of a protein. The cheese in the scalloped potatoes counts, right?

The baking times for both the Cumin Carrot Fries and these are just guidelines. If you like them to have more of a crunch to them then leave them in the oven for less time. Check on them at 5 minute intervals until they are cooked to your desired texture. The longer you leave them in the softer they become. I like mine after they've been in the oven for the full 20 minutes.

Crispy Carrot Fries

Good Things: For Kids: 63 Fun and Easy Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Makes 8 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 16 carrots (about 2 lbs), peeled and cut into 4 inch long sticks
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

And Action:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the carrot sticks with olive oil and salt. Spread the carrot sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until fries begin to crisp about 20 to 25 minutes. 

Cumin Carrot Fries

Carrot fries how I love thee. I started making carrot fries when my itty bitty started on finger foods. He loved carrots and he loved french fries so I figured why not prepare carrots the same method I would for french fries. It went over without a hitch. To this day my itty bitty still loves his carrot fries with his meals or even on their own as a snack. It's nice not having to use trickery to get more veggies into his diet. Mind you, he is a toddler and getting him to eat any new items or just in general has become a battle of wills. Making a batch of carrot fries is a great go to option in our household.

Normally I would just toss the carrot sticks in olive oil and some salt but this recipe called for the addition of ground cumin. Brought back memories of the Sweet Carrot Salad I had made at the beginning of December 2010. It was my first time using ground cumin to flavor carrots and the recipe was a success so I figured this would go over just as well.

Sure enough they were delicious and itty bitty's seal of approval came with it. It's nice to add a new flavor combo to the rotation. With a quick roasting time these make a great snack or side dish. Give them a try!

Cumin Carrot Fries
MyRecipes.com and Real Simple, November 2002

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 lb peeled carrots, sliced into 3 inch sticks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt

And Action:

Combine the olive oil, ground cumin, and salt in a bowl. Add the carrot sticks and toss to coat. Lay the carrot sticks onto a baking sheet in an even layer and roast in a 400° oven for 10 minutes. Stir the carrot sticks around and continue roasting to your desired color of doneness. Mine were in for 15 minutes. I recommend setting the timer in 5 minute increments after the initial 10 minute roast time.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 88 (0% from fat)
Fat: 5g (sat 1g)
Protein: 1mg
Carbohydrate: 11g
Fiber: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Iron: 0mg
Sodium: 271mg
Calcium: 40mg