Hi everyone! I have some fun news, I was invited by the great folks at Alexia Foods to come up with a unique and fabulous new flavor combination for French fries. I am happy to say that these are baked not “fried” fries, maintaining the healthy cooking I like to share with you. Within the next four weeks I will be reaching out to you friends. Here is what I want to know…
Do you prefer Sweet Potato French Fries or ones made with Russet Potatoes?
My preference is for sweet potatoes, Garnet Yams to be specific. The brighter orange the better in my book. I do have a few recipes using each kind of potato. Grilled Potato Wedges are fun for BBQ’s. Or perhaps my Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Herbed Olive Oil? They are both super tasty.
As you visit other blogs online, you will see a number of bloggers posting about this event. We are all in friendly competition (right guys?) with each other to come up with the next Alexia Foods French Fry flavor to hit the supermarket shelves. The top 4 candidates (out of I think about 20) will get voted on and the winner will be wined, dined and LOVED by Alexia Foods. OK, maybe not that. The winner will be compensated, recognized and given a brag spot on that fry packaging which will premier in 2012.
So here is the deal, I want to at least make it to the final 4. I will work hard to do that. Any great tips, techniques, flavor combos or suggestions you would like to share within the next month I am all ears. Remember, my fry is your fry. We will all get to enjoy this ride together. Even if I don’t take home the win…we’ll at least have a great new recipe in the box. OK, now I am craving French fries, I think it is time to go heat up the oven!
To kick week 1 of this challenge, tell me if you are partial to Sweet Potatoes or Russets? Feel free to link up any fry recipes in the comments below.
There will be ongoing chatter & discussion on this topic over on my Facebook page & Twitter pages too.
French Fry Recipe Links
- Baked French Fries with Sea Salt, Pepper and Parsley What We Love Most
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Herbed Olive Oil MarlaMeridith.com
- Cajun French Fries Picky Palate
- Easy French Fries Willow Bird Baking
- Eggplant Fries Use Real Butter
- Grilled Potato Wedges MarlaMeridith.com
MarlaMeridith.com disclosure: I was invited and compensated for my time to create a new French fry recipe for Alexia Foods. I will share a number of posts that tie back to this online event. The opinions expressed on MarlaMeridith.com are my own. They are products and brands that I carefully choose to share with you.
Good course sea salt and amble fresh herbs on sweet potato fries! That is my favorite : ) Good luck, I’m sure you’ll win.
Georgia, the simpler the better for me too….gotta come up with something really creative though. My mind is a wandering!
Have to go with the classic Russet!
I’d have to go with sweet potato fries, for sure! I love anything with sweet potatoes or yams. Here’s one recipe I like to make for yam fries and chipotle dip: http://www.foodwhine.com/2010/05/yam-fries-with-chipotle-dip.html
Major congrats, Marla! I was on one other blog and read about this yesterday that she was part of the challenge.
Again, clearly, I am doing something wrong and you are doing something amazingly right… 🙂
This is a HUGE honor to possibly be considered to have your own fries? And you’re one of 20?! You’ve already won. And anything I can do to help you get to the final four, say the word, consider it done. You deserve it!!!!!!
Averie, you are such a sweetheart! I’ll let you know if I need some voting power down the road. As of right now I could use some of our Starbucks chit chat & baby sitters! 😉
We love Alexia in our house. Wedges, crinkle, sweet potato, etc. I think regular is best for that “french fry” craving!
Marci, I am gonna head to the market to pick up a bunch to taste test & compare. We have only tried 2 varieties so far. Think we need to sample all the flavors here. My kids are so excited about this challenge & all the fries they will get to eat!!
Those are beautiful sweet potatoes! Congrats.
I prefer my sweet potatoes in desserts, though…
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa, I ADORE sweet potatoes in desserts. One of my all time favorites being my Sweet Potato Crisp recipe. *hugs*
Sweet potato definitely!
How fun! I looove french fries…especially sweet potato fries. Tasty stuff! Good luck in the battle for the best fry 🙂
You will do great! I am sure your recipe is going to be AMAZING, as is everything you create!
Thanks Amanda! I always love your helpful boosts of self esteem. It will a fun community builder to be involved in this event.
Sweet potatoes all the way! I hope you take it all the way home!
Thanks Heather! I had a feeling we would be in the same page on this one 😉
I do love sweet potatoes!
I have a recipe for a good buffalo potato baked fry though…delish!
I am a huge fan of sweet potato ANYTHING.
Ah, such a hard choice because I truly love both sweet potato and regular fries. My favorite topping for russet is definitely lots of garlic with herb oil. Sometimes I like cajun with sweets.
Sweet potato fries!! I like to add cinnamon to my sweet potato fries, brings out their natural sweetness.
Fallon, I love ground cinnamon on my sweet potato fries. You are right, it greatly intensifies that delicate sweet flavor.
Sweet potato. I love how they almost caramelize in the oven. With some sea salt they bring out an awesome flavour!
Katrina, I am with you. LOVE when they get that kinda gooey meets crispy thing going on. Caramelization is the best thing ever.
I actually like the real sweet potatoes– y’know, the starchy kind. The yams don’t hold up that well as a fry, at least when I’ve done it. (I’m probably making them wrong.)
I’m excited to see what you come up with!
Mariko, I have tried to love those but am never as swooned by them as the bright garnet yams. I am always on the hunt for bold flavor & I can’t find it in those. Besides starch & me don’t have the most loving relationship. My kids however love starchy things, so I can cook those SP’s up for you guys! xo
Love the baked sweet potatoes..most of the times I steam and serve it. This looks exciting as a starter and for my kids snack time food. Love the picture, Marla. Best wishes for the competition.
Congratulations Marla – what a fun “competition” this will be. My kids like both sweet potato and regular fries – they love Alexia fries and I like them because they bake up so nicely. How about a Spanish inspired fry? Smoked paprika, olive oil, toasted garlic? Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Jeanette, usually that is the way I love to season our SP fries. I pretty much put smoked paprika on everything I can. The toasted garlic is a great idea too. If you have anything else you think up please let me know. You are great with flavor combos!
Oh that’s a very, very tough question, Marla! You’re going to make me decide between the two? Okay, if I was stranded on an island and I could bring one type of fry with me for all eternity I would choose… russet. Yep, I would.
Congratulations are in order too 🙂
Leanne, I hope you are never stranded on a dessert island….but if you are then I hope you have access to lots of russet french fries 😉
I love SWEET POTATO FRIES!! 🙂
I like to make mine with olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper. Simple but delicious! 🙂
I think I would have to go with the sweet potato!
I would go with the sweet potato version. I’d try pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Barb, I agree…..that spice combo thrills me too. Made some like that last night!
love these. Have a great weekend!
Sweet potatoes all the way! And my favorite combo with the taters are rosemary! Best herb ever 😀
Sweet potato, definitely. Even better with a savory seasoning (taco seasoning, maybe?)
How fun, Marla! We like to bake fries with one of two flavor combinations – either garlic and Parmesan cheese, or red chiles and cilantro. I look forward to seeing your recipes!
Dara, I have tried the Parmesan (love) but not the chile & cilantro combo. Love the sound of that too. I need you as my wingman on this project!
What a fun contest! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. I like to roast mine with Herbs de Provence.
Sylvie, I love the complex yet simple flavors of herbs de Provence. Elegant, yet rustic. Perfect way to roast fries!
I’m equal opportunity when it comes to fries- I love both kinds of potatoes, depending on my mood and also what I’m eating with them. Sweet potato fries are nonexistent though in the markets near me, so it seems to be the best choice if you’re looking to come up with something unique. I like a little spicy “kick” to my sweet potato fries to contrast with the sweet flesh. Good luck in the competition! 🙂
Sweet Potatoe Fries for sure! Much healthier. Good luck!
Sweet potato “fries” hands down! I love to toss them in chili powder and a little cinnamon. Soo good!
Those taters look so pretty! Good luck Marla!
Thanks Morgan! I love the idea of the sweet cinnamon and the chili powder combo. What would we call those….hmmmmm
Lovely ingredient shots! I like some olive oil, sea salt, and spices. Cumin, paprika, whatever I”m in the mood for.
ooh… this is going to be fun!!!! Well I do love both (hey I’m Irish) but have to go with yams!!! Love them with garlic and cilantro or just a little salt!!
I’m a huge fan of sweet potatoes in general. I remember having my first sweet potato fry when I was in grade school at an amusement park, falling in love, and never looking back! I’ve tried numerous times at making my own (but I don’t deep fry anything – unless absolutely necessary) and I can’t, for the life of me, figure out how to get a crispy, crunchy french fry. Mine always turn out to be a soggy mess. Not pleasant. Hopefully you find a fry that has a great crunch factor if you choose sweet potatoes – or at least give me a tip on how to make the fries crispy!
Gotta give it up for sweet potato fries! I love a good fry of any kind but I prefer a sweet potato fry over a russet any day…
Smoked paprika is always a good start, or maybe a fry with lime salt with coriander and cumin with a roasted poblano and lime dipping sauce?
-or sea salt, oil and vinegar fries (like oil and vinegar chips)
Good luck. I could never pick. But the talent comes through in your simplicity. GREG
Ooo…how exciting! I am OBSESSED with sweet potato fries! I will make a batch and eat the entire thing by myself!
i’m definitely partial to sweet potato fries!!
I will go for the sweet potato!
I love sweet potato fries. Sometimes I find that making them can be a bit inconsistent. However, when they come out perfect, they come out perfect!
Susan, I know that is the funny thing about baked fries. Some end up mushy, others just right. Thankfully around here we love them all!
Good Luck, Marla!! I’m going with sweet potato!!
Wahoo!! This is going to be so much fun. I like mine spicy 🙂
Of course you do Red. I would think nothing else 😉
Either sweet potato or russet buffalo-style! Buffalo sauce and bleu cheese flavored 🙂
Melissa, I love the idea of buffalo style fries. With the blue cheese of course 🙂
I’m a russet girl. Drown them in garlic butter gravy and I’m happy.. Sweet potato fries are good with a little coarse sea salt. Yum!
Courtney….garlic butter gravy?! Bring it!
I’ve never been a huge potato girl…until I met sweet potatoes. Then I met yukon gold…still though, would have to vote for sweet!
i’ll take sweet potato fries over regular fries any day of the week. sometimes, even a sprinkle of cinnamon finds its way onto a batch. 🙂
I’m with you. I’ve almost completely switched to sweet potatoes.
You must be very happy to be a part of this challenge. If you asked me, I love to have regular sweet potato fries with simple mayonnaise dip with a sprinkle of black pepper or chili powder.