Oven-baked chips with flavored tomato sauce

Oven-Baked Chips with Flavorful Tomato Sauce

Discover a delicious and healthy recipe for oven-baked chips, perfect for a quick snack or as an appetizer at a gathering with friends. Inspired by modern cuisine, this simple recipe is not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavors that will delight your taste buds. I will share every step of the process with you, along with helpful tips and variations to customize this recipe to your liking.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Necessary ingredients:

- 3 medium potatoes (preferably "Carmen" or "Russet" for perfect crunch)
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 large ripe tomato
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- Dried basil (1-2 tablespoons)
- Dried rosemary (1-2 tablespoons)
- Extra virgin olive oil (3-4 tablespoons)
- Grated Parmesan (optional, for intense flavor)

Preparing the potatoes:

1. Cleaning and slicing the potatoes: Start by rinsing the potatoes under cold water. Use a sharp knife to slice them into thin rounds, about 2-3 mm thick. The thinner they are, the crunchier they will become. If you have a slicer, it can be very helpful.

2. Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the potato slices with olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and basil. Make sure all the slices are well coated with the seasonings, then arrange them evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Baking the potatoes:

3. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C. This is the ideal temperature for achieving a crispy and golden texture.

4. Placing in the oven: Put the tray in the oven and let the potatoes bake for about 15 minutes until they turn golden and crispy. After 5 minutes, remove the tray and add the whole garlic cloves in the middle of the potatoes. This will infuse the garlic flavor into the chips.

5. Finishing the baking: When the potatoes are browned, take the tray out of the oven. Now, sprinkle the grated Parmesan on top of the potatoes and return the tray to the oven for another 2 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes slightly crispy.

Preparing the flavorful tomato sauce:

6. Blending the sauce: In a blender or food processor, add the peeled tomato (you can quickly blanch it to remove the skin if you prefer), the roasted garlic cloves from the potato tray, salt, pepper, and basil. Blend everything until you achieve a smooth paste. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.

7. Serving: Serve the chips warm alongside the flavorful tomato sauce. You can add a sprig of fresh basil on top for a more attractive presentation and to enhance the aroma.

Nutritional benefits: These oven-baked chips are a healthy alternative to fried ones, with lower fat and calorie content. Potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamin C, and fiber. Garlic not only adds a delicious taste but also benefits the immune system.

Tips and variations:

- Spice variations: You can experiment with different spices such as smoked paprika, onion powder, or even curry for an exotic touch.
- Chips from other vegetables: Instead of potatoes, you can use beets, carrots, or zucchini to create chips with different flavors.
- Alternative sauces: Instead of tomato sauce, you can try a yogurt herb sauce or a blue cheese dip for a different culinary experience.

Frequently asked questions:

- *Can I make chips from sweet potatoes?* Yes, sweet potatoes are an excellent choice and add natural sweetness.
- *How can I keep the chips crispy?* It is recommended to consume them immediately after preparation, but if you need to store them, make sure to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.

These oven-baked chips with flavorful tomato sauce represent a perfect combination of health and taste. Whether you prepare them for a movie night or as an appetizer at a party, they are sure to impress everyone. Enjoy!