Do You Want Fries With That? Recipes. Grooming.

But what else are you getting with your fries?

"Fries are not made from 100% potato.
When fast-food restaurants started, fries were made from real potatoes, which were peeled and sliced each morning. Today, nearly all fast-food fries arrive at the restaurants frozen and processed.

Since potatoes become discolored during the freezing process (when they are stored in temperatures below 45 F), they must be treated with sulphites at the production plant to avoid this natural phenomenon. Oh, and there is no peeling or slicing involved -- all fries are now made with machines.

Sulfur dioxide is also commonly used to bleach the fries, which gives them a nice, white appearance when frozen. Also, a sugar dip is sometimes used to improve the sugar content of the potatoes.

In addition to these preservative agents, the fries are cooked in hydrogenated oils -- molecularly changed oils that are used in a variety of processed foods and are toxic to the body. Hydrogenated oils preserve the consistency and longevity of the fries, which means that it takes a long time before they get soggy or moldy. Hydrogenated oils have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

So if you thought that you were on your way to getting your five-veggies-a-day by ordering fries, think again. You're not really eating only potatoes."

From: http://www.knowledgesutra.com/forums/topic/54117-fast-food-secrets/

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But we all know that regular French Fries are bad for us anyway, even if we make them at home.

Alternatives:

We all love fries, but have you tried sweet potato oven fries? Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins B6, C and beta-carotene, as well as a good source of fiber.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch strips or wedges and toss in the oil and salt. Arrange in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Place in oven for 30 minutes, turning once.

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ROBIN'S BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

4 sweet potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
nonstick cooking spray
salt to taste
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick strips. Toss with the olive oil.
3) Coat a large cookie sheet with the nonstick cooking spray. Arrange potatoes in a single layer.
4) Bake the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.
5) Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

("I spoke with a friend who is a chef and their restaurant only makes sweet potato fries in a convection oven. That's how I make them now and they come out great about 425 with olive oil and a little bit of salt".)

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Add 1/2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning, or you can add cayenne pepper, or Taco Mix if you like spicy.

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Peanut Butter Crusted Sweet Potato Fries

"It’s hard to explain what happens to the peanut butter in the oven. It doesn’t become hard like, say, breadcrumbs would but it doesn’t keep the normal peanut butter texture. There’s really not anything to compare it too. You definitely need crunchy peanut butter for this because the crunchy pieces are what make the fries. The crunch against the soft, pillowy sweet potatoes is… amazing.

Peanut Butter Crusted Sweet Potato Fries
from Oh She Glows

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fry-like strips
3 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium size bowl, mix together the peanut butter, olive oil, and salt. Take sweet potatoes and toss in bowl with your hands until fully coated. Line up on baking pan and cook at 400F for 20 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10 – 20 minutes or until crisp."

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Today:

 

Early this morning, Muffie, Claudia's neighbor's dog, came to stay until tomorrow evening, as he and Claudia were going to a casino.  Muffie stays in the house with me, but I closed the cage doors on the cat's cages when I gave them their breakfasts, as this was also the day I was to groom Mikey, my neighbor's white Poodle.   I didn't want to take any chances of the cats getting upset over boisterous Mikey, so that is why I locked them up.

 

Muffie, Misty and Paco got to know each other, and they all get along well.

 

So I picked up Mikey, and then drove down and picked up Jay.  Jay had left a bunch of heavy old lumber that came out of the cargo trailer in the big bin that we use for taking stuff to the burn pile, so I wanted him to empty it, as it was a bit heavy for me.  

We got the hoses strung out to the burn pile, and watered down the surrounding grass, and lit it.  We got some more pine needles raked up and on the pile.  I do the back yard, as that is my job.  The dry hot weather is making the pine trees shed their needles.  

We sure could use some rain, if you have some to spare.

 

Then I took Jay home, so I could groom Mikey in peace and quiet.  He doesn't mind being groomed, but he doesn't like to hold still.  As soon as I get him facing the way I need him to be, he moves, so it is very tiring.  And he insists on licking me, as if to say "I love you, but I don't want this".  Of all the dogs that I groom, my old Misty is the easiest to do.

Mikey's 'Dad' was very pleased with the groom, as usual.

 

Another very hot tiring day.