Spicy Baked French Fries

A few weeks ago, Aniell was visiting, and we decided to order cheese steaks for dinner. After we placed the order for delivery, we realized we didn't order any fries. So, instead of calling back to adjust the order, I decided to just make a quick batch. Aniell LOVED them. I think he ate more fries than cheese steak! I thought, wow, doesn't anyone ever MAKE fries anymore? Apparently not. All anyone ever does is buy a bag of frozen ones, and pop them in the oven. It's totally not the same! And seriously, does it really take that much longer to make them yourself???? Um, no. It doesn't. So, that settles it. If you've never made fries at home, you simply must. There's just no comparison!

4 large red potatoes
drizzle of vegetable oil
salt and pepper
any combination of spices:
paprika
garlic powder
chili powder
onion powder
cayenne pepper
old bay

Preheat oven to 400F.
Wash potatoes and dry them thoroughly. Cut potatoes into wedges, or French fries. Place in a large bowl. Drizzle`with oil. Sprinkle with as much and as many of your favorite spices as you like. Using your impeccably clean hands, gently toss until well coated with oil and spices and place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, turning once about halfway through. Serve immediately.

Tips:
If you like a much crispier potato, go ahead and leave them in the oven for a little while longer. Just be sure to keep an eye on them so as not to burn them.
You can bake them peeled or unpeeled. It's your call. I think they're more appetizing with the peels on. Just my preference.
To speed up the cooking process, place whole potatoes in the microwave and cook on high for 5 minutes, then cut into fries and proceed as directed.
Of course, you can also deep fry them, but that would require MUCH more oil instead of using just the little drizzle required for baking them.
For a different variation, omit the spices altogether and just bake them plain. Then when you remove them from the oven, sprinkle with kosher salt and a little vinegar.