Baked Fries with Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

For the Fries:

• 2 large russet potatoes cut into thin wedges or fat match sticks
• 2 to 3 tsp starch like arrowroot or flour
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt, pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp or more dried oregano, or use fresh

Garlic Tahini Hummus Sauce

• 2 tsp oil
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced/finely chopped
• 3 Tbsp hummus, or use cooked chickpeas + lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp tahini
• 2 to 3 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• salt to taste, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp or more dried dill or parsley
• 2 to 3 Tbsp water as needed to thin
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or oregano for garnish

Steps

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F / 220ºc. Chop the potatoes and, if needed, press with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture.
2. Put the chopped potatoes in a large bowl and toss with the flour/starch. Mix in the oil, then sprinkle with the salt, pepper, garlic and oregano and mix again.
3. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet with at least a 1/4 inch gap between potatoes. Check the parchment's oven-safe temperature rating: do not use it if rated below 425. Use a greased baking sheet instead.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate the sheet and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes or until most edges are golden to golden brown. Avoid excessive browning, as burned potatoes become bitter.
5. While the fries bake, warm the oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat for the garlic tahini hummus sauce. Add the chopped garlic and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally.
6. Blend the remaining sauce ingredients with half the cooked garlic until smooth. Taste and adjust the salt, tang with lemon juice, and garlic.
7. Arrange a double layer of freshly baked fries in a serving container and cover generously with garlic sauce. Sprinkle cooked garlic over the sauce, garnish with chopped fresh oregano or parsley and serve.