In honor of our boys in purple and gold, I’ve devised a healthy, well quasi-healthy, recipe for turkey bacon cheese fries.  This may sound like a snack you can find while watching any kind of sporting event, but this recipe was made specifically for the Lakers making the NBA Finals. What’s so different about these cheese fries?  They’re actually purple and gold!  Purple potatoes, melted sharp cheddar cheese and crispy turkey bacon make these fries a true Lakers classic. If you’re not a Lakers fan, no problem, just use regular potatoes!

4 purple potatoes (can find at any farmers market or Wholefoods)

2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 pkg turkey bacon

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp cayenne pepper

¼ cup whole wheat flour

Couple sprays of olive oil spray

Preheat oven to 450F.  Wash the potatoes but leave the skins on.  Cut into ¼ inch strips that resemble fries. Make sure potatoes are as dry as possible.

Place potato fries on two baking sheets lined with foil.

Cook turkey bacon down in a pan and drain.  Crumble bacon and set aside on some paper towel.

Coat fries with some olive oil spray then sprinkle on the whole wheat flour making a sort of light coating.  Then sprinkle fries with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne.

Place fries in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove fries from oven and toss with some tongs.  Then sprinkle the cheese on the fries and return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the fries are nice and crispy and the cheese is melted.

Remove fries from the oven and sprinkle with the bacon.  And Voila: Purple and Gold Bacon Cheese Fries!  Perfect to compliment any Lakers championship party.

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Jenn Harris is a former Anteater (that is, University of California, Irvine) and graduated with a degree in Literary Journalism.  Currently, she is a grad student at the University of Southern California pursuing a Masters in Print Journalism.  Jenn loves to cook and will one day sign a massive contract with the Food Network; but until then she is teaching us little folks at The Sports Union how to cook like a pro for our next tailgate.

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