Using a mandoline to slice the potatoes is quick and easy. You can do so up to four hours ahead; to prevent browning, place matchsticks in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator until ready to use, then pat them dry with paper towels.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　Vegetable oil cooking spray

　　2 medium russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into matchsticks

　　3 tablespoons olive oil

　　Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray; set aside. Toss together potatoes, oil, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheets.

　　

Step 2

Bake, turning potatoes with a metal spatula 2 or 3 times and rotating sheets halfway through, until potatoes are crisp and edges turn golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Arrange potatoes on a large piece of parchment paper; let cool 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group.Buy the full book from Amazon.