Dremel Engraver Potato Carving for Potato Fries

This instructable was brought about because of the Power Tool Kitchen Contest. Looking at the other instructables I see a lot of people finding cool uses for drills so I wanted to try to find a use for another power tool that I have laying around. I decided to go with a Dremel engraver. I figured if it can engrave glass then why not food. After testing it out on different food items in my apartment I found it particularly good at carving apples and potatoes.This instructable shows how to use the engraver power tool to remove the skin of a potato to create designs for oven style potato fries.

Step 1: Gather the Supplies and Materials

Food Ingredients:

-Potatoes (I used both red and sweet potatoes)

-Salt

-Pepper

-Olive Oil

-Paprika

-Chili Powder

Carving Tools:

-Dremel Engraver or the regular Dremel Rotary Tool with a Burr/Carving Bit

-A small Screwdriver

Baking Appliances:

-Oven

-Baking Tray/Sheet

Step 2: Wash Your Potatoes

Bring your potatoes over to the sink and wash them off. You do not want any dirt on your fries. Then place the potatoes onto the paper towel to dry off before carving.

Step 3: Carve Up Those Potatoes

1. Pick your design:

Note: the larger the shape the easier it will be to carve into and remove skin accurately.

I chose to do the outline of the great state of Massachusetts, the Bruins B emblem, standard jack o'lantern face, the Stark Sigil, a hedge hog and a few others.

2. Cut your Potatoes in half

3. Carve the outline of your design:

Set the Dremel to medium speed and draw the outline of your design twice. You want to outline the shape of the material you want removed.

4. Remove Skin and Material:

Use a screw driver or really any flat ended item that can act as a small chisel to remove the skin and potato to make your design.

5. Rinse off carved potatoes and admire your work

Step 4: Prep and Spice the Potatoes

1. Preheat your oven too 425 degrees F and place your potatoes in a baking tray.

2. Rub down the potatoes and tray with olive oil.

3. Sprinkle and cover the potatoes with the spices.

-Generously salt and pepper the potatoes.

-On the flat skinless side of the potato halves sprinkle paprika and chile powder. This is optional, flavor the potatoes to your liking or as desired. I like to add a little spice to my oven fries.

Step 5: Bake the Potatoes

Turn all potatoes over so that the flat skinless halve is on the bottom. This will result in a crispy bottom side and will keep your design intact.

Place the baking tray and potatoes into the oven and let it cook for about 40 minutes. Wait until the skin is crispy and if you stab it with a fork you meet little resistance.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the potatoes from the oven and tray then place potatoes on a plate. Taste test it to see if more salt or any other spices are needed to improve the potatoes. Serve with a nice grilled steak or in my case blackened chicken, spinach and rice pilaf. Eat up!

I have been a big fan of the Instructables website for a long time, but this was actually my first instructable. Please comment if you got any ideas for improvements or for other kitchen purposes with a Dremel engraver. And comment if you got thoughts on the cooking aspect as well. And please vote if you enjoyed and feel that this instructable is worthy for the contest, I appreciate it. Have a happy summer.

Best,

CJ Adam