The humble potato coupled with variations and toppings that are limited only by your imagination. A wonderful breakfast snack or a delicious side to your Sunday family roast. Simple and elegant, the Jacket Potato. Jacket Potatoes are simply potatoes baked in their skins and wrapped in aluminum foil. The aluminum foil prevents the potato from burning in the oven. The name, “Jacket,” is an English term for when 19th-century British consumers would purchase baked potatoes during the cold winters from street vendors. These consumers would then place them in their jackets and use them as warmers.
On their own, these potatoes are a low-cholesterol staple. This recipe, however, gives you options to try out a few toppings, namely buttered salt and pepper, sour cream and onion, and bacon and cheese.
Baking the Potatoes
Russet potatoes are the best option for baking given their low moisture content. This contributes to the skin crisping up beautifully, and giving way to a lovely, fluffy interior. To prep the dish, simply wash the potatoes well to remove any dirt on the skin and poke in several places with a fork. This allows steam to escape , which in turn makes the potato more fluffy. Season with salt and pepper, and coat with oil.
Wrap each spud in foil and place in a baking dish. This prevents the bottoms of the potato from burning and will help later on when plating up. Finally, score (cut) the tops of each potato with a knife in an ‘X’ pattern. This will allow for plenty of space for topping/fillings once cooked. Bake in a preheated, 300°F oven for one hour. Then, set the oven to broil and leave them in for a further 5 minutes to crisp up the skins.
Once finished, press in on the sides of the potato (use the foil to help you here) with a pair of tongs so that the ‘X’ opens up. Now you are ready to fill the potatoes with your choice of toppings.
The Fillings
For this recipe, I chose to put together three classics, the ingredients are as follows:
Buttered Salt and Pepper – Immediately season your cooked potatoes with salt and pepper and add 10g of Butter on top of the spud. Finish with a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
Sour Cream and Onion – Spoon a dollop of sour cream atop the potato and sprinkle with thinly sliced green onion.
Bacon and Cheese – Sprinkle grated cheese and pop back into the oven to melt. Top with crispy bacon bits.
Jacket Potato
Ingredients
- 3 Whole Potatoes Medium sized – 100g each
- To Taste Salt and Pepper About a pinch of each
- 10 Grams Butter
- 1 Tsp Olive Oil
- 10 Grams Green Onions Finely Sliced
- 10 Grams Sour Cream
- 10 Grams Bacon
Instructions
- Wash your potatoes thoroughly. Poke with a fork and season with oil, salt and pepper.
- Wrap each in aluminum foil. Slice an ‘X’ on the top of each and bake in an 300°F oven for 1 hour. Broil for 5 additional minutes.
- Once cooked through, squeeze the jackets with a pair of tongs in order to open the ‘X’s at the top of the potatoes. Top with your choice of toppings and enjoy while warm.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
-Do I have to use Russet Potatoes?
No. Any potato can be used. Russet potatoes simply yield the best results.
-Is there a faster way to cook them?
Yes. A microwave is the best alternative if you need a quick fix. Microwave the potatoes for 7 minutes, turning the potato halfway through. The potatoes will be finished when they are fork tender.
Tips to Improve or Alter the Recipe
The variety of toppings you can add are only limited by your imagination! Here are some of my favorites:
- Caramelized onions
- Gravy
- Sloppy Joe filling
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Olive tapenade
- Pesto
Things to Serve with your Potatoes
This dish could be a standalone snack. But, the dish is more widely regarded as a side dish to roasts, steaks, or other proteins.
Tips for Storage
Once baked, the potatoes can be chilled and used for up to 3 days. If you wish to keep them for longer, freeze the cooked potatoes before topping. Simply reheat the potatoes in the microwave before consuming or adding your toppings. Do not attempt to store after the toppings have been added.
Final Words
Impress your guests with wild variations and give this humble, easy to do recipe creative revamps! Just have fun with it!
As always, thanks for reading and be sure to keep your kitchen Hot and Salty!
