Ranch Home Fries

Ingredients:
*5 medium potatoes, scrubbed
*butter spray
*salt
*1 packet Ranch dressing mix
*parsley

Directions:
1.  Cut potatoes in to cubes.

2.  Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray.

3.  Spread cubed potatoes on baking sheet.  Spray with butter spray.  Lightly sprinkle with salt.

4.  Sprinkle Ranch mix over potatoes.

5.  Bake at 400-degrees for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

6.  Transfer potatoes to serving dish, sprinkle with parsley.

Tater Skins

Tater Skins, or Tater Wedges as they're sometimes called, have quickly become a favorite among most at our house. I always seem to underestimate the amount we'll eat because we are always left wanting more.

Ingredients:
*potatoes, scrubbed (You probably want two per person, at least.)
*salt
*butter spray
*garlic salt
*cheese, shredded
*bacon pieces (imitation)

Directions:
1. Salt skins of potatoes. Place on baking sheet.

2. Bake at 400-degrees for 20-40 minutes, make sure taters are really tender.

3. Slice taters into halves or fourths.

4. Scoop out most of the potato, leaving about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch along the skin.

5. Spray skins with butter spray, sprinkle with garlic salt. Top with cheese and bacon pieces.

6. Return to oven. Broil until cheese melts (only a couple of minutes). Don't let them burn!

Serving Suggestion: Serve with fry sauce (recipe coming soon) or your favorite dipping sauce.

Homemade French Fries

Ingredients:
*potatoes, as many as you want, scrubbed clean
*butter spray (like Parkay or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
*salt (regular or season salt

Directions:
1. Slice potatoes to desired size. (Keep in mind, the thinner, the fast they bake.)

2. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Arrange fries on baking sheet. They can be touching but don't put them on top of each other.

4. Generously spray with the butter spray. (If you don't have butter spray, you can substitute cooking spray.)

5. Sprinkle with salt.

6. Bake at 400-degrees for 20-30 minutes, depending how thick the fries and how crispy you like them.

Au Gratin Casserole

*1/2 - 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef, cooked and seasoned
*5 medium potatoes, sliced
*1-2 cups frozen green beans, thawed
*1/2 - 1 cup cheese, shredded
*2 cups milk
*2 Tbsp. cornstarch
*1/8 tsp. garlic powder
*1/4 tsp. pepper
*1/2 tsp. salt

In a small saucepan, boil milk, add seasonings and cornstarch. Stir until thick, remove from heat. Grease large casserole dish. Place layer of potatoes on bottom, pour 1/4 sauce over potatoes, sprinkle with half of cheese. Layer meat and beans and more potatoes. Pour remaining sauce over casserole and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender.

Note: You may want to season your potatoes a little before putting the casserole together.

From the Critics
Brittany: 5 "I liked it except the beans."

Brooklyn: 5 "I liked this a tiny, tiny bit."

Damon: 1