I’m a flake.
Ok… maybe that’s a little harsh.
I flaked on plans I made last Friday night, and I felt guilty until exactly this morning.
See… (I’ll try keep this short) I was supposed to go to see a friend’s play on Friday night. You know, it’s just one of those things you do. Friend. Theater. You just go see it.
I was on the list. The play was showing walking distance from my house. I had no other plans. The weather was gorgeous. Really… I’d have to be a complete jerkface to not show up, right? Well I didn’t, and here’s why…
I threw on my favorite jeans. I was wearing my cute jacket and scarf. I walked myself over to the theater feeling pretty good about the world. That’s when I saw it: a crowd of strangers. I froze. All the charm and clever wit that I might have possessed simply drained out of my system. I suppose that happens to the best of us sometimes. In my case, rather than facing my spontaneous fear of strangers, I turned myself right around and walked back home.
On the way home I concocted an elaborate lie to tell my friend the next time I saw him. It was full of stress, drama, lost time and regret. I stopped myself. Literally. In the middle of my street.
Why lie? Why not keep it simple? Why not express a little vulnerability? Why not just say I couldn’t handle strangerdanger that particular night?
That’s just what I did. Next time I say my friend, I simply apologized, looked him directly in the eye and told him what a ‘fraidycat I was. It felt like one of those simply, human moments when you just lay it all out there for better or worse.
Life is complicated enough. Why disguise your vulnerabilities with lies? And why disguise your potatoes with a bunch of nonsense?
There are few things in the world more simple and honest that a potato.
These Oven Baked Fries with Herbes de Provence are a lovely way to celebrate simplicity. Herbes de Provence is a spice mixture that usually contains thyme, rosemary, basil, bay leaf, marjoram and lavender. It’s gentle and kind, and a classy touch to these oven potatoes.
Crunchy Oven Baked Fries with Herbes de Provence
inspired by Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes
serves 3 or 4 (about a potato per person)
3 or 4 medium sized Russet potatoes, rinsed and dried (you can peel them if you like)
2 Tablespoons grapeseed oil plus 1 teaspoon (or olive oil if you have it on hand)
1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
1/2 – 1 teaspoon sea salt (depending on how salty you like your fries)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Pour 1 teaspoon of oil on baking sheet and spread around with a paper towel, greasing the sheet before you add the potatoes.
Slice cleaned potatoes lengthwise into 1/3″ thick slices, then slice those slices into smaller potato strips. Place on the baking sheet and drizzle with 2 Tablespoons of oil. Toss the potatoes in the oil to coat. Place in oven for 25- 35 minutes, removing the tray every 10 minutes to toss and stir the potatoes, then returning to the oven. Cook until browned and irresistable.
Remove from the oven and immediatley add salt and Herbes de Provence. Toss and serve.
Helen
I came across this recipe a while ago while looking for an new way of doing potatoes and bookmarked it immediately as it looked fantastic.
Unfortunately, like one other poster, the potatoes stuck to the pan and so broke up whenever I tried to toss them.
After 45 minutes they still hadn’t coloured at all, though they were cooked – just quite soggy.
I ended up sticking them under the grill for about 10 mins to get a bit of colour and crunch.
The taste was nice, and I think it has a lot of potential, but the recipe as it stands just did not work for me. I don’t really see what I could have done wrong though!
Did everyone else really get crunchy, browned chips after 25 – 35 mins?
sophie
I soaked the sliced potatoes in water for half an hour, then spread them out on a large piece of cheesecloth (a cloth diaper – fantastic for various kitchen uses) to dry them well. Tossed with olive oil and herbes de Provence. Didn’t oil my (regular, black, definitely NOT non-stick) baking tray but heated it in the oven before throwing in the potato sticks. Wonderful recipe, a great success, our guests and the children all enjoyed. Thank you!
Hillary
As always, this recipe was FANTASTIC!!! I cooked mine slightly longer than suggested but they turned out super crunchy and just perfect. I have tried countless times to make good homemade french fries and they never turn out right! There was something about this recipe that did the trick for me though. When I get french fries out, my favorite ones are always the ones on the crunchy side, as opposed to more soft. That made these a perfect addition to my meal! Thanks!!
Becky
I’ve made them twice now, and while they are always delicious, both times they’ve stuck to the pan. Each time I oiled both the pan and the potato strips liberally, and attempted to “toss” every 10 min. (Tossing is difficult when potato and pan become one.) Since none of the other comments mention this issue I assume I’ve done something terribly wrong. I realize this is an older recipe, but any tips would be much appreciated!
joythebaker
Hi Becky. Booo! Fries that stick! No good. You might try turning your oven down a tad. And also… parchment paper! Line your baking sheet with parchment, then oil the paper and the fries as usual. That should help!
Becky
Thank you! Will definitely try that next time. :)
Virginia
Great post, thanks (mouthwatering and it’s 6 a.m over here in Germany). I will totally make these potatoes and consider using olive oil, some sea salt and rosmary and serve with sour cream. Yummmmieh.
Mondo
fries never looked so good!
Pamela M
Just curious.. I’ve tried oven baking fries before, but they wouldn’t be crunchy all around, just the tops. Do you think these crisp evenly due to the tossing?
Annie
The white potato is my favorite vegetable and I have been looking for an alternative to deep frying for french fries…this is perfect! Thank you!
Jules
I made these today, they were in the oven a bit too long (I was so busy with the rest of the meal!) but they were lovely nonetheless. Thanks for the recipe!
TabzChewy
I love the way these look! I’m going to try it with sweet potatoes~ Hopefully it comes out as delectable-tasting/looking as yours!
Thanks for the recipe!
Kristen
Joy – I so appreciate your realness. And I never tire of looking at your site! Kristen
Nicole
Oh if only my kids had an ounce of your stranger danger! They go up to just anyone. I hear you though. I wasn’t much for going out on my own most of my life.
Your potatoes look great.
heidileon
these are the most perfect and delicious oven baked fries I ever seen in my life!!!!!!!!!!!
love it! muack!
My Sweet & Saucy
Oh Joy! I wish I could have a plate full right now!
Aunty m
I just stumbled onto your site and I am sooo impressed! I’ve been a foodie for ever (got through college with a catering company called the Butler Did it) faked my way through many a party.. I certainly understand fear of strangers! I do just fine if I’m “working” the party or having it at my home, some where else not as good. Don’t care how cute I may look in my jeans.
At present I am working on a book about Myer Lemons. No it’s not Myers, it’s Myer.. my husband will do the illistrations (he be the cartoonist) and correct my copy, me the recipes. Here is my question for you, I made up some fridg myer marmalade with 6 cups sugar, 6 cups water, 6 cups myer lemons. It was great! Next used the same recipe and processed it and it is bitter and does not have a very good texture. The texture part I think I figured out, meaning I added pectin and I don’t think I cooked it long enough. Got any ideas about why when processed it turned bitter??? Same amount of cooking time.
Also your lemon bread, try using lemon yogurt instead of cream I think you will like it.
Keep up the good ideas!
Regards
Aunty m
Kristacular
Yes yes YES! Herbs de Provence are my FAVORITE herb blend! :)
Amelia
I totally have been there. I have also been the one to pay, get inside, sit through an hour of torture and bolt. I recently told my mother that I had a daily limit on dealing with strangers and even people in general. It just takes too much energy some days and I need time alone to recharge.
Marina
THank you for sharing such a ‘human’ story Joy. I think people lie all the time to save their face & what i think it really does it alienate ourselves from having the freedom to have ‘human’ moments. We isolate ourselves & everyone by doing this, thinking we have to cover up all the time. And the truth is, sometimes in moments like you experiences, positive self talk doesn’t always do the trick & that is ok. If we are never the same person when we go to bed each night ,then that makes room for situations which we fear etc. I think if we all learned to share our insecurities & fears with people by just being honest, then others would feel comfortable when it happens to them. It creates a beautiful whisp of understanding for each other’s behaviours & actions etc. I don’t think it’s a fault at all…it’s just what happens to be part of being alive.
Thanks for being so honest Joy. It really touched my heart & inspired me to read this. Because sometimes i feel like i have to hide such similar things from people, then i realise i am only being part of an even bigger lie. That no one has the right, or an excuse has to be made for being who we are.
Great fries by the way ; )
Farmer Gal
Those taters sure look perdy. And healthy… Much healthier than coating them with cream and cheese and butter, as I’m fighting the urge to do today. Thanks for the inspiration!
snooky doodle
these look so good! have to try them thanks :)
Amy B.- Portland, OR
Hi Joy, my belly and soul needed some Potato Love last night so I made the fries. YUM! I also included some sliced celery root. I hit everything with Rub With Love’s Bengal Masala Rub. Thank you.
Karen B
I like to make fries this same way but have never tried these herbs on them. I think I’ll put them on the menu for this week sometime. YUMMY!
Claire Mason
Hm, I did not know that Herbes de Provence was made up of those herbs, I always just kind of assumed that it was a herb itself. Though that didn’t explain the different shapes of leaves in it.
Thanks for the information!
cindy
i would have done the same thing…and thought of some elaborate lie also…and possibly broken down and told the truth. possiblt stuck with the lie…
…as for the oven fries…i have been making them lately too, but not with herbs de provence, that will be my next venture. they look perfect!
The Duo Dishes
Would it be possible for you to talk about making your own herbes de Provence? :)
Hayley
We all have those moments, and I’m sure it’s nothing a little joy the baker baked good can’t fix! These fries sound so simple and tasty. You should try soaking them in water after they’re sliced (and before being baked), to remove some of the starch. It makes for a perfectly crispy oven fry.
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer
These look incredible and I actually use your formula but instead of fries make small wedges / cubes – Truth be told I think your way is much better – consider me converted !!
Ryan
Hey Joy!
I really enjoy your site and particularly enjoyed this post. Deanna at GreenGlancy and I are blog partners with 72mm and are mouths always water over your photos. Thanks for giving guys like me a hope of baking something decent for our wives when they’re tired of cooking for us. Keep up the good work.
Daily Spud
I get how you feel about strangers and, boy, do I get how you feel about potatoes :)
Cakespy
Here’s to honesty in our lives and on our plates. OK, maybe it’s ok to cheat on both counts sometimes :-)
Anna Mor
Afraid of strangers is my middle name; I get to the point of being ridiculous. Even placing comments gives me the shivers. Like somebody will scream at me GET OUT OF MY BLOG…. I know it’s a ridiculous fear, right? Always before I go to some event my husband gives me a shot of something strong, so I’ll be a bit more social. Now I don’t know what is worse… me being shy by myself in some corner or blabbing endlessly just because I’m tipsy.
Missie
I am a like that sometimes too…it is hard sometimes to step outside the comfort zone. The fries look great though!
My First Kitchen
One of my favorite herb blends; it’s perfect in chicken salad. Strangerdanger gets the best of us, and even when it does, what can go wrong with honesty in your favorite jeans?
Paula
I totally get your strangerdanger fear. Happens to me as well at times.Sometimes I just can’t deal with a room full of people I don’t know.
What I don’t fear are those fries…gimme a plate of those babies any time!
Esi
I have the exact same container of herb de provence from Cube and now I have a recipe to put it to good use!
Maria
I often get shy and reserved in big crowds, so I understand!!
The fries look incredible. I love baked fries. I will have to try them with the herbs. Sweet potatoes are my favorite, we just made them the other night!
soul-fusion
those look incredible!
And I can totally relate to the sudden social phobia. Every so often it strikes me and I agree – it is so much better to just fess up to it than lie.
unconfidentialcook
I make a similar crispy oven-baked potato, and I find the most important thing is to wash the potatoes first thing in the morning so they’re the driest they can possibly be before baking… and also sprinkle with kosher salt before baking (the bigger the kernal the better) to further “absorb” moisture and insure crispness.
Kati
I can never get my fries crispy like that! I will try your method :) Thanks~
bellaguinness
That handwriting on your tin of Herbes de Provence is exquisite – is it yours? I know that’s a silly comment to make on such delicious post but I love handwriting. Thanks for this post, btw. I’ve recently become borderline obsessed with Herbes de Provence and I’ve never thought of making HDP fries. Fries are my favorite, so I am sold!
Alisa - Frugal Foodie
Kudos for your honest and for those yummy fries!
anna
Those fries look incredibly good. I need to get some herbes de provence…I always consider it when I see it in shops and never buy.
I used to have serious issues with crowds. Well, I still do, but usually I can force myself to get over it. One of the only reasons I stayed in retail for as long as I did was that it forced me to have TONS of interaction with people every day. It was exhausting but it helped…most days.
bj
aww. i dont know how u do it but u sound like an incredibly sweet person. : ) to be honest, i dont read many blogs cuz more often than not i dont FEEL any connection with the writer, but you’re amazing! :)
Chocolate and Toast
Who knew there were so many of us with this fear?! Strangerdanger! I knew I was in love with my husband-to-be when he invited me to his friend’s wedding and I had to show up all by myself, knowing not a soul, and I totally did it! My entire body was probably a bright blushing shade of beet red, but I did it. Phew. Now I have to go buy potatoes, because I really need these fries for lunch today. Yay!
ingrid
Just got some herbs de provence and have a big bag of potatoes, yay for homemade french fries.
I am by no means a social butterfly so I hear ya. Kudos to you for being honest with your friend.
~ingrid
Chelle
Oh these look fabulous! I can’t wait to try them, I have yet to find a great recipe for oven fries.
SP
I’m newish to your blog and have loved it from first click – it’s part of my daily morning routine at work (shhh…). I love this post. It’s nice to hear other people have “human” moments and can be real about it. The fries look fab and your dad’s buttermilk pancakes were delicious a couple of weeks ago!
Mazobob
Bah! I guess being in the Marines cured me of my shyness. I used to be only able to talk to good friends and immediate family, but now I can strike up a conversation with a complete stranger.
Instead of walking over empty handed, bring a plate of those fries! …or anything else you make. Use food as the icebreaker.
Memoria
I’m glad I’m not alone about the strangerdanger :). I feel the same way, and I would have done the same thing as you did. I made oven-baked fries two days in a row this past week. I guess I will have to make some more hehe.
Culinarywannabe
Awww, Joy! You should try and think of strangers like us, the people who love you and your little musings out here in blog land. You obviously are brave enough to tell us the truth, which is way scarier than just standing around some people you don’t know.
Kate
Hey, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet, right? Yeah! … Well, at least that’s what I try to embody, when I’m not busy trying to muster up enough courage to leave the house. Weee!
Just like potatoes are delicious fries I haven’t made yet…
Lemmonex
Joy, these look fab. I adore herbs de provence and I like how thin these fries are.
Also, I am a stranger but I swear if we met I would be nice to you. I may hug you, too. I hope that’s ok.
Evan
Sometimes you just have to be a grown-up and tell the truth. It actually feels better afterward. Good for you!
Jennifer
Those look amazing! So crisp and fresh! Herbes de Provence takes anything up to a new level of greatness :)
Nirvana
I honestly don’t know what I like most about your blog: the writing, the gorgeous pictures or the food :) Great post and delicious looking potatoes :)
Jodye
Oh, I do love a good potato, and combined with Herbs de Provence, you really can’t go wrong!
Elyse
Good for you! Way to tell your friend the truth. Plain and simple is the way to go. And while we’re on the topic of simplicity and honesty, can I admit to you how amazing these potatoes look? I mean, they look so delicious that I’m coveting the fact that you have them and I don’t. I have to make these soon!
Lizzie
i absolutely love how you related your personal anecdote to potatoes so succinctly. and just to let you know, i have absolutely done the same thing in such an awkward circumstance, but i usually follow through with the elaborate fabrication/lie. you did the right thing!
(ps. potatoes look good too! )
(thoroughly modern) tilly
Never fear- I’m the same way. Granted, I live in NYC, so I’m constantly surrounded by strangers… but if I’m supposed to go to an event filled with people I don’t know I get a major case of the willies. I’m completely awkward and uncomfortable at parties, unless I know a good chunk of people there. I like to pretend I’m all suave but the fact of the matter is I’m pretty darned awkward. haha. I find it funny that it’s so easy to be so open on one’s blog, or perform in front of thousands of people with relative ease but, man, try to get me to go to a quasi strange place with strange people and I’m suddenly chicken. If I have to go, sometimes I’ll try to channel one of my brazen friends. Sometimes it helps. I also like to wear something that is interesting, because it can be a good ice breaker.
Anyway, the fries look delicious (i’ve definitely been craving some lately), and I *love* your site. You make me want to bust out my (as-yet-unpurchased) rolling pin and dive into my grandmother’s rugelach recipe. It’s so awesome it inspired little me to speak my first word (and bang on the fridge).
Anjali
Oh, I feel exactly the same way. About strangers and potatoes.
I’m new to your blog and am really loving it. I live in LA too and happy to know I share this city with such an interesting, talented person!
Iceni
The next time you get stranger jitters, just take a deep breath, and say to yourself, “I AM AWESOME!”. We all think you are. Clearly, these fries are proof positive of your awesomeness.
Nags
Oh these look so good. I made something similar with sweet potatoes, minus the herbs.
Sugar Duchess
What a relief to find out that there are others in the world with a fear of strangers. I probably would have done the same thing. And kudos for keeping things simple. Your oven baked fries look delicious!