Poutine With Oven Baked Fries

Ingredients

• 5-6 Medium Sized Potatoes Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and cut into quarters
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda For parboiling
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Smoked Paprika You can use any sort of Red Pepper based spice, I used chipotle pepper powder and Cayenne
• 5 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 3 tablespoons All purpose flour
• 2 cups Chicken broth Can be replaced with beef or turkey broth as well, stock is even better if you have it!
• 1 teaspoon Thyme Fresh or dried works
• Cheese Curds I used about half of the package, you could use mozzarella but you’d make a Quebecois cry

Instructions

1. FOR THE FRIES
2. 1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F/230°C (or 400°F/200°C if using convection). Heat 2 quarts (2L) water in a large pot over high heat until boiling. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (about 1 ounce; 25g), baking soda, and potatoes and stir. Return to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until a knife meets little resistance when inserted into a potato chunk, about 10 minutes after returning to a boil.
3. 2. When potatoes are cooked, drain carefully and let them rest in the pot for about one minute to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Transfer to bowl and coat with olive oil. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika (or whatever spices you want to use).
4. 3. Transfer potatoes to a large rimmed baking sheet and separate them, spreading them out evenly. Transfer to oven and roast, without moving, for 15 minutes. Using a thin, flexible metal spatula to release any stuck potatoes, shake pan and turn potatoes (or flip with tongs). Continue roasting until potatoes are deep brown and crisp all over, turning and shaking them a few times during cooking, for as little as 15 minutes more or as long as 40.
5. FOR GRAVY
6. 1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook until golden, then add 2 cups of broth.
7. 2. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently until slightly thickened.
8. 3. Stir in thyme then whisk in more broth if you need to thin it. Let simmer till desired thickness. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
9. FINAL STEP
10. Combine potatoes and cheese curds and mix. Add gravy and mix next, top with chives or green onions for illusion of health, Enjoy!