Oven Fries (Stefanie)

Works with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash

5 potatoes (washed and scrubbed)                         

1 tsp. cornstarch                                                   

Salt and Pepper, to taste

1 - 3 tsp. olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400°.  While the oven is heating spray the baking sheet lightly w/olive oil spray and place in the oven.  Mix cornstarch with salt and pepper (and other spices and herbs if desired to flavor your potatoes).   Cut each potato in half, and then cut each half into 5 wedges.  This is an important number.  These sizes are just right, not too skinny not too fat. (For butternut squash, peel, cut the squash into thirds, then cut each third in half, then each half in 5 wedges.)

Place the potatoes in a bowl and sprinkle with spice mixture and toss until spices are completely distributed.  Add 1 - 3 tsp. olive oil (depending upon how many potatoes are being prepared) and toss to evenly coat all the potatoes.  Take the hot pan out of the oven and put potatoes on baking sheet, making sure they do not touch each other. Watch out, it is hot!  Replace pan and bake for 15 minutes WITHOUT OPENING THE OVEN.  Leave them alone for the first 15 minutes.   After 15 minutes, turn potatoes and bake 10 - 15 minutes more without opening theoven.  The potatoes will be very crispy on the outside, and very tender inside... perfect every time.