Jacket potatoes - which are actually baked stuffed potatoes - are not peeled and can be enjoyed in their own tasty wrapper. They are delicious with a simple topping of butter and salt, but also with a topping of cheese, bacon and vegetables that makes them a complete meal. Jacket potatoes can be cooked in a traditional oven, microwave oven and slow cooker (also called a slow cooker or crock pot).
Ingrediants
- Potatoes (dry and floury variety, 1 per serving)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- Optional ingredients for the filling: butter, sour cream, grated cheese, chopped chives, crispy crumbled bacon, stewed meat, mixed vegetables
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190 ºC
Step 2. Scrape the potatoes
Use a vegetable brush to scrub the peel of the potatoes carefully and remove all traces of impurities. Since you will not be peeling the potatoes, it is important to clean the surface.
Step 3. Dry the potatoes completely
If you want your potatoes to have a crisp skin, make sure they are perfectly dry before baking.
Step 4. Pierce the potatoes with a fork
Make 8 to 12 small holes in each tuber. The steam will thus be able to escape during cooking.
Step 5. Season the potatoes
Rub them with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with salt. You will give way to the peel to flavor. If you don't intend to eat it, you can skip this step.
Step 6. Bake the potatoes in the oven
Place them directly on the center rack of the oven and cook them for about 1 or 2 hours, depending on the size. The potatoes will be ready when the peel appears crunchy and, if pierced with a fork, their inner flesh will be soft.
- It might be useful to insert a pan under the grill in the oven to collect any cooking liquids.
- If you prefer the skin of the potatoes to remain soft, you can wrap them in aluminum foil and then prick them before placing them on the grill for cooking.
Step 7. Serve the potatoes
Cut each potato in half lengthwise. With a fork, lightly mix the inner pulp to make it soft and airy. Fill them with your favorite ingredients, such as a generous serving of butter, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chives. Serve immediately.
- Jacket potatoes can be both an excellent complete meal and a delicious side dish. To turn them into a single dish, add roasted meat or vegetables (for a vegetarian version).
- Also try a tasty variant made with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Scrape the potatoes
Use a vegetable brush to scrub the peel of the potatoes carefully and remove all traces of impurities. Since you will not be peeling the potatoes, it is important to clean the surface. Dry them thoroughly before continuing.
Step 2. Pierce the potatoes with a fork
Make 8 to 12 small holes in each tuber. The steam will thus be able to escape during cooking. By omitting this step, you risk them exploding in the microwave.
Step 3. Season the potatoes
Rub them with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with salt. You will give way to the peel to flavor. If you don't intend to eat it, you can skip this step.
Step 4. Arrange the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish
Be careful not to overlap each other.
Step 5. Cook them on high for five minutes
The top half of the potatoes will cook and become soft.
Step 6. Flip the potatoes over and cook for another three minutes
Then, stick one in the center to test its doneness. If it is still tough, continue cooking at one minute intervals until they are completely softened.
Step 7. Serve the potatoes
Score each potato vertically. With a fork, lightly mix the inner pulp to make it soft and airy. Fill them with butter, salt, pepper, cheese or your favorite ingredients.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Slow Cooker
Step 1. Scrape the potatoes
Use a vegetable brush to scrub the peel of the potatoes carefully and remove all traces of impurities. Since you will not be peeling the potatoes, it is important to clean the surface. Dry them thoroughly before continuing.
Step 2. Pierce the potatoes with a fork
Make 8 to 12 small holes in each tuber. The steam will thus be able to escape during cooking.
Step 3. Season the potatoes
Rub them with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with salt. You will give way to the peel to flavor. If you don't intend to eat it, you can skip this step.
Step 4. Wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil
It will prevent them from overcooking in the slow cooker. Note: The next time you light the barbecue, use this method and wrap the potatoes before placing them on the coals. After two or three hours on the hot coals, your potatoes will have turned into delicious jacket potatoes.
Step 5. Cook the potatoes at the lowest available temperature for 8-10 hours
You can cook them before going to work to find them perfectly cooked when you return.
Step 6. Serve the potatoes
Remove the aluminum foil and score each potato vertically. With a fork, lightly mix the inner pulp to make it soft and airy. Fill them with butter, salt, pepper, cheese or your favorite ingredients.
Advice
- If you wait a long time before eating them, the skin of the potatoes will lose its crunchiness.
- If you want to stuff the potatoes with melted cheese, remove them from the oven as soon as they are cooked and cut them in half. Soften the pulp with a fork and add a small amount of cheese. Put them back in the oven for a few minutes, then add the butter and chives.
