Twice-baked Potatoes
4 servings Twice baked potatoes are one of these great sides which can be almost a meal! On the top of that, my recipe is easy to make and is really cost effective. Have fun! x saved Tom the Chef Founder November 10, 2023 90 min.90 min.2/5 90 min. 90 min. 2/5 Ingredients: 4 potatoes of your choice - well rinsed with skin on (medium size) Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pinch of salt Pinch of pepper - ideally freshly ground2 TBSP of unsalted butter2 TBSP of milk½ cup of parmesan cheese - grated¾ cup of cheddar cheese - shredded (or substitute for other kind of cheese)¼ cup of chives - finely chopped (or substitute with green onion or 1 TBSP of dried chives)1 clove of garlic - peeled and grated (or pressed) 4 potatoes of your choice - well rinsed with skin on (medium size) Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pinch of salt Pinch of pepper - ideally freshly ground 2 TBSP of unsalted butter 2 TBSP of milk ½ cup of parmesan cheese - grated ¾ cup of cheddar cheese - shredded (or substitute for other kind of cheese) ¼ cup of chives - finely chopped (or substitute with green onion or 1 TBSP of dried chives) 1 clove of garlic - peeled and grated (or pressed) Tools: 1x Kitchen Towel1x Chef’s knife1x Cutting Board1x Measuring Cups1x Measuring Spoons1x Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper or Silicone Matt1x Small Spoon1x Medium Mixing Bowl (3 – 4 QT)1x Silicone Spatula1x Small Hand Grater or Garlic Press1x Pastry Bag with Pastry tips 1x Kitchen Towel 1x Chef’s knife 1x Cutting Board 1x Measuring Cups 1x Measuring Spoons 1x Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper or Silicone Matt 1x Small Spoon 1x Medium Mixing Bowl (3 – 4 QT) 1x Silicone Spatula 1x Small Hand Grater or Garlic Press 1x Pastry Bag with Pastry tips Directions: 1. Set oven to preheat to 350°F. 2. Prepare potatoes & first bake: 2.1. Thoroughly wash the potatoes under cold water to make sure that they will be perfectly clean before the next step. Then, dry them with a kitchen towel. 2.2. Cut potatoes in half with the peel still on and place on a baking sheet with parchment paper (cut side up). 2.3. Drizzle with olive oil and generously salt and pepper the top of each potato half. 2.4. Bake in a preheated oven until done (about 60 minutes). 3. Dig out potatoes: 3.1. Remove the potatoes from the oven (but keep the oven on). 3.2. Select the best looking 4 halves that will be dig out and filled (the other 4 halves will be used just for the flesh and will not be filled). 3.3. Hold the potato halves with mittens while digging them out in order to prevent getting burned. 3.4. Carefully dig out the center of the 4 best looking halves using a spoon (if some of them crack, you have back up options in the extra halves). Make sure that they will be able to hold shape after digging them out. Place the empty halves back on the baking sheet and the dug out the flesh into a medium mixing bowl. 3.5. Then, completely dig out the remaining 4 halves, place the dug out flesh into a medium mixing bowl and dispose of the skin. 4. Potato filling: 4.1. Add to a medium mixing bowl: 2 TBSP of butter 2 TBSP of milk ½ cup of grated parmesan ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup of chives – chopped 1 clove of garlic – grated Pinch of salt Pinch of ground pepper Thoroughly mix together with a spatula until the dugout potatoes are fully mashed and the mixture is completely combined. 4.2. If you have a hard time to properly mix it, consider short usage of an immersion blender to help you crush the potatoes, and then continue mixing with a spatula. 4.3. Fill the pastry bag with potato filling. 5. Finish & second bake: 5.1. Fill evenly the dugout potato halves by piping out the filling from the pastry bag. 5.2. Optionally, you can just scoop the filling into the halves with a spoon or disher (instead of using a pastry bag). 5.3. Place the second baked potato halves in a preheated oven and bake until the filling starts turning slightly brown (about 10 minutes). The Twice-Baked Potato: A Culinary Odyssey in Two Acts Read more Ah, the potato. That humble, earthy delight, a staple in kitchens across the globe. Often relegated to the supporting cast, a side note to the main culinary attraction. But what if we told you this unassuming spud could be the star of the show? What if, with a little culinary magic, we could transform it into a dish that commands attention, a symphony of flavor and texture that leaves a lasting impression? Enter the Twice-Baked Potato, a culinary odyssey that takes the ordinary and elevates it to the extraordinary. This isn’t just your average baked potato, mind you. This is a culinary adventure, a journey of transformation that will redefine your perception of this humble root vegetable. Act I: The Humble Beginning Our story begins, as all good stories do, with a careful selection of ingredients. The star of our show, the potato, must be chosen with discernment. Russet potatoes, with their rough brown skin and fluffy interior, are the ideal candidates for this culinary transformation. Their sturdy structure and ample space make them perfect vessels for the deliciousness to come. Once you’ve chosen your potatoes, give them a thorough wash, like a baptism cleansing them for their culinary rebirth. Scrub away any lingering dirt, ensuring every nook and cranny is pristine. Then, gently pat them dry with a kitchen towel, preparing them for their first encounter with heat. Now, for the stage upon which our culinary drama will unfold: the oven. Preheat it to a cozy 350°F (175°C), the perfect temperature for coaxing out the potato’s inner sweetness. Halve the potatoes lengthwise, taking care not to pierce the skin, and lay them cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Before they embark on their transformative journey, anoint the potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a generous grind of fresh pepper. These simple seasonings will enhance their natural flavor, preparing them for the grand transformation that awaits. Into the oven they go, these potato halves, embarking on their first act. For an hour, they’ll bask in the warmth, their flesh softening, their skins turning a beautiful golden brown. This is where the magic begins, as the humble potato starts its journey towards culinary greatness. Intermission: A Moment of Transformation As the potatoes emerge from the oven, their aroma filling the kitchen with a comforting warmth, it’s time for the real magic to happen. But first, a word of caution: these spuds are hot! Protect your hands with oven mitts as you carefully handle them, like precious jewels emerging from a fiery furnace. With a gentle hand, scoop out the fluffy insides, leaving a thin shell of potato within the skin. This is where the Twice-Baked Potato truly earns its name. The scooped-out potato flesh is not discarded but rather transformed into a luscious filling, a symphony of flavors that will elevate this dish to new heights. Act II: A Symphony of Flavors In a mixing bowl, the potato flesh meets its supporting cast, a carefully chosen ensemble of ingredients that will transform it into a culinary masterpiece. Creamy butter, a splash of milk, grated parmesan cheese, shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese), finely chopped chives (or green onions, or even dried chives), and a clove of grated garlic, each playing a crucial role in this flavor symphony. A pinch of salt and pepper completes the ensemble, ensuring every note is perfectly balanced. With a spatula or a sturdy spoon, blend these ingredients together, creating a harmonious mixture that is both creamy and flavorful. If you prefer a smoother consistency, a brief blitz with an immersion blender can help achieve the desired texture. Now, for a touch of elegance, a flourish that elevates this dish from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip with the potato mixture. This will allow you to pipe the filling back into the potato skins, creating a visually appealing presentation that is sure to impress. Of course, if you prefer a more rustic approach, simply spoon the filling back into the skins. The Grand Finale: A Second Bake and a Culinary Triumph The Twice-Baked Potatoes, now filled to the brim with their flavorful stuffing, return to the oven for their final act. This second bake is brief, just long enough to melt the cheese and create a beautiful golden crust on the filling. Ten minutes should suffice, but keep a watchful eye to ensure they don’t overcook. As the potatoes emerge from the oven, their aroma fills the kitchen, a tantalizing invitation to indulge in this culinary creation. The cheese is bubbly and golden, the filling is creamy and flavorful, and the potato skin provides a sturdy vessel for this symphony of textures and tastes. The Twice-Baked Potato is more than just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience, a testament to the versatility of the humble potato. It’s a dish that can be customized to your liking, with endless variations of fillings and toppings. Serve these Twice-Baked Potatoes alongside your favorite main course, or let them take center stage as a satisfying vegetarian meal. They’re perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a cozy night in. So, the next time you find yourself with a few potatoes, remember their potential for greatness. Embrace the Twice-Baked Potato, and elevate this humble spud to a culinary masterpiece. Read less About the Author: Tom the ChefFounder # 1 120 Followers Published Recipes: 268Av. Recipe Evaluation: Location: Iowa, USAMember since: 2023-02-02 Published Recipes: 268 Av. Recipe Evaluation: Location: Iowa, USA Member since: 2023-02-02 Disclaimer All content and information (including recipes, articles, and other materials) on CookingHub.com are the opinions of the authors and are not intended to provide dietary, medical, legal, or political advice. Consult with a professional before deciding to follow these opinions. Authors and www.CookingHub.com (operated by CookingHub Foundation) are not responsible for any part of any possible outcome or its consequences, which include (but are not limited to): Any health risk related to the handling of food, food quality, and/or not following USDA recommendations (including minimum safe serving temperatures and other guidelines). 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Safety during preparation, including the handling of equipment and the equipment’s suitability for food preparation. Improper performance of cooking techniques. Sourcing of ingredients, providing tools, equipment, and anything else related to the preparation and consumption of the products of this recipe. Nutritional data and information and diet-related information (and their accuracy). It is important to consult with your medical provider to ensure that the diet you are considering is suitable for you and to verify the information provided before proceeding. The overall outcome of following recipes, including the look and taste of the final product. Possible errors in articles and recipes (including incorrectly or unclearly explained steps and directions). Typos. All readers (users and visitors of www.CookingHub.com) are responsible for evaluating the recipes and articles and making their own decisions about whether to follow the steps and recommendations. 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