How To Make The Perfect Jacket Potato
Hiya Friend!
I wanted to pop in today to share with you how to make the perfect jacket potato!
What we Americans know as a baked potato, is known as a jacket potato over here in England and they can be found on almost every menu whether it be a tea house or a pub. The jacket potatoes are topped with all kinds of fun toppings and are so comforting on these cold english days.
One thing I love about England is the simple, rustic food. They really do not like much fuss and it makes my heart so happy. At any given point, you can see a mound taller than you of potatoes on the side of the road. Look how dirty these potatoes are!
They are easy, delicious, cheap and contrary to popular food fear beliefs, the potato is packed with nutrients. Seriously friend, don't fear the potato.
They make for great, quick lunches which to me as a busy mama, is incredibly helpful. This is why today I am going to share with you how to make the perfect jacket potato.
So here we go:
1. Scrub and dry medium sized potatoes.
2. On aluminum foil, coat each potato in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. The olive oil and salt leaves the crust nice and crispy, just like the outside of a french fry (or chip here in England).
3. Wrap each potato and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 375 degrees for an hour (or until the potato is fork tender).
Tips:
-Try to keep the potatoes in equal size when cooking together.
-Use a baking tray underneath in case oil leaks out of the aluminum foil.
-Scrub dirty potatoes with a sponge or scrub brush. There is so much dirt embedded in the little cracks, it is hard to get out.
-Cook multiple jacket potatoes at a time and keep wrapped in the refrigerator for lunches throughout the week.
Now for the fun part of the jacket potato.... the fillings!
I always use a pat of butter and any combination of the following:
-wilted spinach and parmesan cheese (pictured)
-beans and cheese
-any roasted veggies
-taco meat and fixings
-egg, tomato and avocado
-blt fixings
-and really anything your heart desires or what is leftover in the fridge.
