Stuffed Baked Potatoes I
Stuffed Baked Potatoes I Recipe - American Cuisine
Introduction
Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a delicious and hearty dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. These potatoes are filled with a savory mixture of mashed potatoes, bacon, cheese, and seasonings, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite.
History
The origins of Stuffed Baked Potatoes are not clear, but they have been a popular dish in American cuisine for many years. This recipe is a modern twist on the classic baked potato, adding in flavorful ingredients to create a more indulgent and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
- 8 potatoes
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1.5 cups sour cream (half and half)
- 1.5 tbsp Tony Chachere's cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp chives, snipped
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh fried turkey bacon
- 2 tbsp butter (margarine)
- 0.5 lb (227 g) shredded cheese (your choice)
How to prepare
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Prick the skins of the potatoes with a fork. Lightly oil your hands and rub the oil onto the potatoes with the fork.
- Place the potatoes in the oven and bake until they are done, about 35-40 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 325°F (163°C).
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. Cut each potato in half and carefully hollow out the centers, making sure to leave the shells intact.
- Mash the centers in a mixer with sour cream, Tony's seasoning, chives, bacon, and melted butter. Refill the potato shells, heaping the mixture high.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Bake on aluminum foil until heated through and the top is lightly browned, approximately 30 minutes.
Variations
- Try adding different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
- Mix in cooked vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrition.
- For a spicy kick, add diced jalapenos or hot sauce to the filling mixture.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Be sure to prick the skins of the potatoes before baking to allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting.
- Hollowing out the potatoes can be a bit tricky, so take your time and be careful not to tear the shells.
- Mixing the filling ingredients in a mixer will help ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Sprinkling cheese on top of the potatoes before baking will create a deliciously gooey and melty topping.
Serving Suggestions
Stuffed Baked Potatoes can be served as a main course with a side salad or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables.
Cooking Techniques
Baking, mixing, mashing, hollowing out, and filling are the main cooking techniques used in this recipe.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use olive oil or vegetable oil instead of the specified oil.
- Regular bacon can be used instead of turkey bacon.
- Butter can be used in place of margarine.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the filling mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. The potatoes can also be baked and hollowed out in advance, then filled and baked when needed.
Presentation Ideas
Garnish the Stuffed Baked Potatoes with additional chives, bacon bits, or a dollop of sour cream for a beautiful presentation.
Pairing Recommendations
Stuffed Baked Potatoes pair well with a crisp green salad, steamed vegetables, or a side of grilled chicken or steak.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftover Stuffed Baked Potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (177°C) until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each serving of Stuffed Baked Potatoes contains approximately 400 calories.
Carbohydrates
Each serving of Stuffed Baked Potatoes contains approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates.
Fats
Each serving of Stuffed Baked Potatoes contains approximately 20 grams of fats.
Proteins
Each serving of Stuffed Baked Potatoes contains approximately 15 grams of proteins.
Vitamins and minerals
Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a good source of Vitamin C, potassium, and calcium.
Alergens
This recipe contains dairy (cheese, half and half) and wheat (margarine) allergens.
Summary
Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a satisfying and flavorful dish that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Summary
Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion. With a creamy and flavorful filling, these potatoes are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
How did I get this recipe?
I remember the sense of anticipation I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Stuffed Baked Potatoes. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village nestled in the mountains. My mother had invited a distant cousin over for dinner, and she brought along this delicious dish that she called Stuffed Baked Potatoes.
I watched in awe as she whipped up the filling for the potatoes, a mixture of creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a hint of garlic. She then stuffed the mixture back into the hollowed-out potato shells and baked them until they were golden brown and bubbling with cheese. The aroma that filled the kitchen was simply irresistible.
I begged my cousin to teach me how to make the dish, and she gladly obliged. She showed me how to select the perfect potatoes, how to bake them just right so that they were tender but still held their shape, and how to create a filling that was both rich and flavorful. I was hooked from the first bite.
From that day on, Stuffed Baked Potatoes became a staple in our household. I would make them for special occasions, for Sunday dinners, and sometimes just because I was craving their comforting goodness. Over the years, I perfected the recipe, tweaking it here and there to suit my own tastes and experimenting with different ingredients to add a personal touch.
As I grew older and started a family of my own, I passed down the recipe for Stuffed Baked Potatoes to my children. They loved the dish just as much as I did, and it became a tradition in our home to make it together on lazy Sunday afternoons. We would gather in the kitchen, each of us with a task to do – one to wash the potatoes, another to cook the bacon, and another to grate the cheese.
I taught my children everything I knew about making Stuffed Baked Potatoes – the importance of using high-quality ingredients, the art of seasoning just right, and the joy of sharing a delicious meal with loved ones. They learned quickly, and soon they were able to make the dish on their own, adding their own twists and variations to the recipe.
As the years went by, I continued to make Stuffed Baked Potatoes for family gatherings, holiday dinners, and potluck parties. It became my signature dish, the one that everyone always asked me to bring. I loved the way that the dish brought people together, how it sparked conversations and created memories that would last a lifetime.
And now, as I sit here in my kitchen, surrounded by the aromas of garlic and cheese, I can't help but feel grateful for the recipe that has been passed down through generations. Stuffed Baked Potatoes may just be a simple dish, but to me, it represents so much more – it's a reminder of the joy that comes from sharing a meal with those you love, and the power that a good recipe has to bring people together.
So the next time you're looking for a comforting and delicious dish to serve at your table, why not give Stuffed Baked Potatoes a try? I promise you won't be disappointed. And who knows, maybe one day you'll pass down the recipe to your own children, creating new memories and traditions along the way.
Categories
| American Recipes | Baked Potato Recipes | Chives Recipes | Diabetic-friendly Recipes | Milk And Cream Recipes |