This easy recipe is definitely worth putting at the top of the favorites list for family and friends. Just about everyone loves stuffed potatoes, as they are tastfully yummy and extremely easy to prepare. Not only are potatoes delicious, they and also healthy, and it is important for health conscious individuals to know that potatoes, when prepared in a healthful way, are an all-star addition to a balanced, healthy diet.
Healthy cooking methods for potatoes include baking and boiling. To make baked potatoes, scrub them clean, then use a fork to make several holes in the skin. Rub the skins with olive oil, and place the potatoes on a lined baking sheet. Cook for 60 to 70 minutes at 400°F until tender, rotating every 30 minutes. For boiled potatoes, add a pound of baby potatoes to a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until tender. To make mashed potatoes, drain the boiled potatoes and mash them in the pot with a dash of milk and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Chefs regularly include mashed or baked potatoes as a base for a nutritious meal, topped with ground turkey, bean chili, and other lean proteins. Instead of sour cream, many will add a dollop of Greek yogurt or chunks of avocado. And let's not forget to eat the skins, as they are an excellent source of added fiber and nutrients.
Types and Benefits
of Potatoes
There are many varieties of potatoes. Some of the most common include Russet, Yukon Gold, and baby red potatoes, while fingerling and purple potatoes are not as well known.
All potatoes provide energizing carbohydrates, mostly from starch, in addition to insoluble fiber concentrated in their peels. They are excellent sources of potassium, an essential mineral that’s important for healthy blood pressure, and also provide vitamin C and folate.
Furthermore, potatoes are rich in compounds known as polyphenols that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage that is assciated with disease development. Red and purple potatoes get their color from anthocyanins, which may help fight inflammation in the body and lower blood pressure, among other benefits.
Sliced Baked Pototoes
Ingredients:
6 large potatoes*
8 tablespoons butter, unsalted
6 tablespoons olive oil
Minced garlic, as desired
½ teaspoon salt & pepper or to taste
Optional Ingredients:
4 slices bacon fried and chopped
Sausage, any amount or type, as desired
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
Sour cream
Please note: (*) For this recipe we recommend selecting either Russet, Yukon Gold, or Hassleback potatoes.
Method:
Preheat: Preheat oven to 425°F.
Prep: Remove the skin and wash the potatoes well, dry completely and place on a cutting board between two chopsticks. Slice the potato into ½ inch slices, as pictured, but do not allow the knife to cut all the way through the potato, the chop sticks will help to prevent the knife from cutting the potato all the way through. Repeat with remaining potatoes.
Assemble: Generously rub each potato with olive oil and seasoning. Slice the butter and sausage into thin slices and place both in between the slices of potato. Drizzle with olive oil and cover lightly with salt and pepper, or as desired.
Place: Arrange the potatoes onto an oiled baking sheet with a well fitting lid.
Bake: Slide the covered baking pan into the oven and bake for about an hour, or until potatoes are fully baked and softened.
Finish & Serve: Top with cheese and bacon, and any other toppings, as desired. Place baking dish, uncovered, back into the oven until the cheese is melted and ready to serve.
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