A baked potato with butter is nice, but you can really get creative with stuffed baked potatoes.
From a traditional cheddar and ranch stuffed potato to a fancy spud adorned with smoked salmon, there is a stuffed baked potato idea to suit anyone's taste. Before you start stuffing, bake your potatoes at 400 degrees F for an hour to an hour and a half or until they are tender.
Traditional Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Classic stuffed baked potatoes are an instant crowd-pleaser, and kids love them as well. Serve these favorites up with burgers, steaks or even barbecued chicken--you really cannot go wrong with traditional stuffed baked potatoes. Bake your potatoes and allow them to cool. Slice in half and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch in each potato shell. Mix the potato flesh with equal parts of your favorite shredded cheese and sour cream. Add a pat of butter or margarine.For added zest, mix in some spices, maybe an envelope of seasoning mix. Spoon the mixture into the potato shells and garnish with more shredded cheese and crumbled bacon, ham, sausage or hamburger if desired. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until fully heated.
Fancy Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Potatoes stuffed with savory blue cheese and rosemary would be a natural accompaniment to a perfectly grilled steak. Bake the potatoes and allow them to cool until you can handle them. Slice off the top third and scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch remaining. Mix the potato flesh with equal parts blue cheese, butter and sour cream. Add garlic and fresh or dried rosemary to taste. Either pipe the potato-blue cheese mixture into the potato shells using a pastry bag or carefully spoon the mixture in, dividing equally between the potato shells. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper as desired. Bake the potatoes at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned. For an unexpected twist on the stuffed baked potato, use flavorful smoked salmon as a filling. This stuffed baked potato would be a tasty addition to a brunch, or serve it as a side dish to roast salmon.
Vegetarian or Vegan Stuffed Baked Potatoes
If you or your guests eschew meat, that does not mean you have to avoid stuffed baked potatoes as well. Try using delicious roasted or grilled veggies as potato toppings and you will not be disappointed. Bake potatoes and allow to cool. Slice each one in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4 inch shell. Mix the potato flesh with about 1/2 cup of sour cream, or tofu for vegans, and 2 cups of cooked vegetables of your choice.
Sweet Stuffed Potatoes
Baked potatoes are traditionally a savory dish, but in these cases you are in for a sweet surprise. Bake your potatoes and let them cool. Cut each one in half and scoop out most of the flesh, reserving about a 1/4 inch on each potato shell. Mix the potato flesh with 1/2 cup of milk, 5 tbsps. of melted butter and the cooked fruit of your choice. Mash the mixture thoroughly. Add 1 beaten egg, a 1/2 tsp. of salt, cloves and nutmeg to taste. Mix again and either pipe or spoon into the potato shells. Top each potato with brown sugar and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Bake the potatoes at 425 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Tags: potato flesh, about inch, Bake potatoes, flesh with, potato flesh with
