I simply love jacket potatoes – not only are they really quick and easy to make meaning you can make yourself a healthy and filling meal without much effort, they are really delicious too and I thought I’d share my method for one of our favourite dinners – cheesy stuffed jacket potato buffet!
Ingredients for the loaded jackets
- Jacket pototoes (I usually do at least 3 or 4 in one go to save for leftovers for the next day’s lunches)
- Veg – whatever veg you have in your fridge – my usuals are onion, pepper and muchrooms
- Reduced fat cheddar grated. I used 120g for 3 potatoes. Cheese is something I recommend portioning out and following recommended nutrition guidelines as it’s very easy to overeat and too much cheese will affect your weight losses.
- Any seasoning of your choice
You can obviously add whatever else you like into your ‘loaded mix’ such as cooked meats, tuna, other vegetables.
Step One
Put your potatoes on a microwavable plate and cook for 10 mins on high before turning and cooking for another 10 minutes (adjust accordingly depending on how many potatoes you are doing).
Step Two
Whilst the potatoes are cooking in the microwave, finely chop all of the vegetables you are using (and any of the other fillings you may be using).
Preheat your oven to 180
Step Three
Add a splash of water to a non stick pan (you can use low calories spray oil or olive oil if you prefer) and add your chopped veg and any spices or seasoning you are using. I added chilli and mixed herbs to these.
Step Four
Once your potatoes are cooked, cut them in half and allow to cool for a bit (so that you are able to handle them). Place the cut halves on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Step Five
Once your potatoes have cooled a bit, use a spoon to scoop out the middles and place them in a pan. Be careful not to dig too deep to break the skins.
Step Six
Repeat until you’ve scooped out all your ‘middles’ and leave the skins on the baking tray.
Step Seven
Mash the middles – you can do this with a potato masher or a fork as they will be quite soft and easy to mash.
Step Eight
Add the cooked vegetable mix to your mashed potato middles
Step Nine
It should look something like this. If you are adding cooked meat or fish, add this at this point and stir through.
Step Ten
Using a spoon, fill each potato skin with the mixture, press down firmly to fill them all up
Step Eleven
Sprinkle over your grated cheese
Step Twelve
Place in your oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the potatoes are hot again. If you want to, you can place under your grill for a minute or two (but remove from the baking paper first as this can catch fire under the grill!)
To Serve
I dish this meal up ‘buffet style’ so that everyone can help themselves to whatever they prefer but pretty much, we’ll usually have the standard jacket toppings of beans, tuna mayo and cottage cheese along with a big salad bowl – but it’s completely your choice as to what you serve them with – they go with anything!
I always keep some for leftovers for lunch the next day and to reheat, I just put back in the microwave for about 2 mins to warm them through.
Hope you enjoy!
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