TV is funny because it's creating little realities that many times seem to exist in a parallel universe, one that includes food and brands that don't exist in our world. Sure, we're used to really obvious and maybe less obvious product placement at this point, but it's more fun when things are made up, or in this case, a TV industry-wide inside joke. There have been a few different stories (and even a now-defunct blog) about the famous Let's potato chips that pervade TV—spanning networks, genres and decades, and it's fun to compare how the fictional brand is used in different fictional worlds.
I've been wanting to find an easy baked potato chip recipe for a long time, and I found it. Next time, I would slice mine one setting thinner on my mandolin (I did it the thickest available) because they came out a little heavy, but in every past attempt at chips I've burned them and they actually turned out this time. I made them when I made BBQ cauliflower and used the leftover sauce for dipping because I'm from Cincinnati and my Montgomery Inn habits run deep.
Oven Baked Potato Chips
inspired by the TV universe prop department
serves about 1 person per potato, 4-6 snacking people
- 3-5 lbs russet potatoes
- cooking spray
- salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Wash, scrub and peel potatoes. Use a mandolin or thinly slice potato but not so thin that the slices will burn in the oven. Use a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the slices. Spread them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet that's sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Spray the tops of the potato slices as well.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, and flip halfway through. Keep an eye on them towards the end, if some are done earlier, remove them before time is up. They should be crispy and golden brown at least around the edges. Once they're out of the oven, sprinkle them with salt and pepper and once they're cool enough, toss them around so they're evenly seasoned. Add any other seasoning you might like on your chips, throw them in a bowl and enjoy on their own or with a dip you have handy.
recipe slightly adapted from momables.com.
[made while watching The West Wing (season 2).]
Check out our chips in different flavors on Two Broke Girls, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, New Girl, Orange is the New Black and Sons of Anarchy. But keep an eye out next time you see chips on TV, they'll likely be Let's.
I'm just sad this giant bag of chips on Gilmore Girls isn't on the Let's resume because it's amazing. Maybe for another potato chips post...