Never underestimate the power of a Healthier Oven-Baked Poutine! Not deep-fried, but baked to perfection! Enjoy it for Canada Day, serve it on Super Bowl night, or any other night. It's so good, you'll definitely want to have it more than just once or twice a year!
5-6russet potatoeswashed/scrubbed, skin on (or peeled if you prefer)
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonground black pepper
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1teaspoonItalian seasoning
3tablespoonsvegetable oil
For the cheese you'll need:
2cupscheese curds or 2 cups chunks from Mozzarella cheese block
For the gravy you'll need:
4tablespoonsunsalted butter
1/2teaspoonground black pepper
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1/4cupwheat or all-purpose flour
1 1/2cupsbeef broth
1/2cupchicken broth
Instructions
Prepare the fries:
Preheat the oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse the Russet potatoes well to get rid of any dirt. Cut the potatoes: place the potato on a cutting board and cut each potato lengthwise into approximately 1/4" rounds. Stack the round slices, two or three at a time, and cut lengthwise into 1/4" sticks.
place sliced potatoes on the parchment paper-lined sheet and season with salt, ground black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle with three tablespoons of vegetable oil and toss well with your hands to combine.
Distribute potatoes evenly in one layer and bake at 450°F for approximately 40 minutes, flipping them over about 25-30 minutes into baking - while potatoes are baking, prepare the gravy:
Prepare the gravy:
In a medium-size saucepan melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Whisk well to combine.
Slowly stir in 1/4 cup of flour, whisking the flour in the butter until well combined. Continue whisking for approximately 1 - 2 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.
Slowly pour in 1.5 cups of beef broth and 1/2 cup of chicken broth, whisking well until combined. Set gravy aside. Stir in more flour if you prefer thicker gravy - stir 1 tablespoon at a time, checking for consistency.
Assemble:
Reheat the gravy in the saucepan, over medium-low heat, stirring.
Place the French fries on a plate, or serving platter, and top with the cheese curds. Pour the hot gravy over the cheese curds so they soften under the heat. Serve while hot.
Notes
For more flavor, top the cheese curds with bacon bits, or fried bacon pieces, before pouring gravy on top.
You can store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat the oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Heat the leftover poutine for 10 to 15 minutes.