FAT-FREE FRENCH FRIES

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't enjoy French fries. They are loved not just by kids, but also by adults - though many adults have been conditioned to fear potatoes, haven't they? Potatoes often face negative criticism, being labeled as a dish that contributes to weight gain or contains too much sugar, which supposedly raises blood sugar levels and so on. However, the truth is that potatoes are among the healthiest plants, rich in vitamins and minerals and they provide a sense of satisfaction (I once read a study showing that a large portion of the world's population considers potatoes to be one of the most satisfying foods!). Potatoes are also rich in the glucose we need and serve as an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy gradually and steadily. The problem isn't with potatoes themselves; rather, it's how they are prepared - typically fried in oil or cooked with other fats (like French fries fried in oil or mashed potatoes made with butter or cream, etc.). Potatoes often get blamed for the crimes of fats, but that's a topic for my seminars, not here. People frequently ask me how to prepare potatoes without using fats. I'm sharing a very simple and easy recipe that we make at home quite often!

Ingredients

• 5-6 potatoes

• 3-4 cloves of garlic

• Spices: salt, cumin, turmeric, paprika

Instructions

I wash and cut the potatoes into sticks or wedges.

I soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, but ideally for an hour. Then, I drain the water and thoroughly dry the potato pieces with a towel.

I sprinkle on some spices, press in garlic cloves and mix everything well.

I place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they don’t overlap - this way, they’ll bake up crispier.

I bake them in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 50 minutes.

I serve them with a favorite dipping sauce - there are so many options available (check out the sauces section!) but some of the most popular in our family are beet ketchup, hummus, refreshing creamy sauce, guacamole, cashew white sauce or tzatziki.

I recommend trying them all. This dish is loved both on weekdays alongside watery vegetables and on weekends or during celebrations!

BON APPETIT!