Get your fries and soda fix the healthy way with these baked battered fries paired with organic kombucha! Thank you to Safeway for sponsoring today’s post.
I have been shown again recently that I really need to get with the times. Safeway invited me to tell you about their new O Organic Kombucha, and my response was something like, “Kom-what-cha?” I asked around to see if others had tried this fermented tea drink. One friend said she tried it years ago in LA. Another friend said she loves it, and my husband said they have it on tap in his office. On tap right next to the beers! How have I only vaguely heard of kombucha when it seems like old news to everyone else? This always happens to me.
Before I could accept or decline the offer to write about Safeway’s kombucha, I needed to try the stuff first. I read the words “fermented tea, ” and I’m not going to lie. I was a little nervous to take that first sip…
There have been very few products that I have reviewed for sponsors that have become must haves, but this is one of them. This stuff is delicious! I’m not much of a soda or juice drinker because they are too sweet. I pretty much stick to water, coffee, wine, but now kombucha is added to my list of go-to beverages. It’s not too sweet at all; the bubbles are refreshing; and it has billions(!) of probiotics in every bottle, which are good for digestive health.
There are all sorts of health claims about kombucha that I won’t try to confirm or deny, but I do know that it’s an all-natural, organic, low-sugar drink that tastes great. I buy a couple bottles every time I’m at Safeway now (which is very often). It’s about $1/bottle cheaper than competing brands, and it comes in a whole bunch of flavors to suit everyone’s tastes. Since kombucha is a drink that is a healthy substitute for soda or wine, I thought it would be nice to pair it with a healthier version of french fries.
This homemade french fry recipe was not one that came easily. I wanted battered fries from the oven, but I had to figure out how to get the batter right. First, I tried dipping the fries in egg batter and then tossing them with cornmeal. That worked out, but the cornmeal was way too prominent. Next, I tried another egg batter version, but the batter was too thin, and all the fries stuck together like a big ol’ french fry disk. Not quite what I was after.
The third time really was the charm with these homemade french fries. The key is making the batter thick like a paste so it can coat the fries without puddling under them during baking. It should be just liquid enough to whisk together, sort of like toothpaste consistency, but not thin enough to pour. You can add a tiny bit of water or flour at a time if needed to adjust the thickness. As long as you are careful to get the batter right, these fries are easy to make and way healthier than their fried counterparts. Pour a tall, cold glass of your favorite flavor of kombucha, and enjoy “soda and fries” in a way that’s actually good for you!
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
adults
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- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes sliced into 1/2" strips
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons water
Ingredients
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Rate this recipe!
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- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat (if you have one), and spray with cooking spray.
- Whisk together milk, olive oil, chili powder, salt, and garlic powder in a container with a lid that is large enough to hold all the potatoes. Whisk in flour and water a tablespoon at a time until you have a paste about the consistency of toothpaste.
- Add sliced potatoes, cover the container, and shake VERY well. Shake them upside down, sideways, all around to evenly coat the potatoes.
- Transfer the potatoes to a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving any excess batter behind. Do your best to separate the fries so they aren't touching each other for best results.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if you'd like.
You can find O Organics Kombucha in the single-serve bottled juice section at your Safeway/Albertsons. I found mine near the produce section. Flavors include Ginger Lemon, Mango Mint, Guava, Pomegranate Hibiscus Lime, Cranberry Peach and Raspberry Black Currant. Which one is your favorite?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Safeway. The opinions and text are all mine.