Oven Fries

Directions

1. 1
   Adjust oven rack to lowest position; heat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. 2
   Place potatoes in a large bowl and cover with hot tap water; soak 10 minutes.
3. 3
   Meanwhile, coat 18 by 12 inch heavy duty rimmed baking sheet with 4 tablespoons oil and sprinkle evenly with about 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper (this acts as ball bearings to help prevent potatoes from sticking so much). Set aside.
4. 4
   Drain potatoes.
5. 5
   Spread potatoes out on a triple layer of paper towels and thoroughly pat dry with additional paper towels.
6. 6
   Rinse and wipe out now empty bowl; return potatoes to bowl and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
7. 7
   Arrange potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet; cover tightly with foil and bake 5 minutes.
8. 8
   Remove foil and continue to bake until bottoms of potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating baking sheet after 10 minutes.
9. 9
   Using metal spatula and tongs, scrape to loosen potatoes from pan, then flip each wedge, keeping potatoes in a single layer.
10. 10
    Continue baking until fries are golden and crisp, 5 to 15 minutes longer, rotating pan as needed if fries are browning unevenly.
11. 11
    Transfer fries to a second baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.
12. 12
    Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve.