Craving a hearty and satisfying meal that looks impressive but requires minimal effort? Look no further than twice-baked potato boats! These beauties are filled with a savory meat mixture, topped with melty cheese, and baked to golden perfection. They’re perfect for a weeknight dinner, a potluck contribution, or even a casual gathering with friends.
Ingredients:
500 g (18 oz) potatoes
2 l (68 pt) water
30 g (1.1 oz) butter
10 g (0.4 oz) salt
5 g (0.2 oz) black pepper
25 g (0.9 oz) dill, chopped
100 g (3.5 oz) tomato sauce
20 ml (0.7 fl oz) olive oil
5 g (0.2 oz) oregano
5 g (0.2 oz) salt
600 g (21 oz) minced meat
2 onions, finely chopped
1 egg
70 g (2.5 oz) bread crumbs
5 g (0.2 oz) black pepper
10 g (0.4 oz) salt
5 g (0.2 oz) garlic powder
5 g (0.2 oz) sweet paprika
100 g (3.5 oz) cheese, grated
5 g (0.2 oz) dill, chopped
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Peel and boil the potatoes in 2 liters of water with 10 g salt until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced meat to the skillet and cook until browned. Season with oregano, 5 g salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and sweet paprika. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the meat mixture, bread crumbs, egg, and dill. Mix well.
Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out a portion of the center to create a cavity. Place the potato halves in a baking dish.
Fill each potato half with the meat mixture, pressing down slightly to pack the filling.
Sprinkle the grated cheese over the filled potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Garnish with additional chopped dill before serving.
Choosing Your Potatoes:
- Russet potatoes, also known as baking potatoes, are ideal for this recipe. Their fluffy texture and thick skin hold their shape well during baking and scooping.
- If russet potatoes are unavailable, Yukon Gold potatoes can be used as a substitute. However, their slightly waxy texture may result in a denser potato “boat.”
Perfecting the Meat Filling:
- Browning the meat is key to developing rich flavor. Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the meat. Cook the meat in batches if necessary to ensure proper browning.
- Feel free to customize the spice blend in the meat filling to your preference. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, or a teaspoon of ground cumin for a warm, earthy flavor.
- This recipe is a great way to use leftover cooked ground meat. Simply reheat the cooked meat and incorporate it into the filling mixture.
Tips for Assembly and Baking:
- Don’t overcook the potatoes during the initial boiling stage. You want them to be fork-tender but not mushy.
- When scooping out the potato flesh, leave a good border around the edges to prevent the potato skins from splitting during baking.
- To prevent the potato boats from drying out during baking, tent them loosely with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking. Then remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown on top.
- If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can substitute crushed crackers, rolled oats, or even crumbled potato chips for the breading element in the filling mixture.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these twice-baked potato boats hot with a dollop of sour cream, plain yogurt, or your favorite salsa.
- A side salad or steamed vegetables would perfectly complement this dish for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Leftover potato boats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until warmed through.
With a little planning and these helpful tips, you can create this impressive and delicious dish that’s sure to become a new favorite!
Conclusion:
Twice-baked potato boats with meat filling are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re not only delicious and comforting, but also surprisingly simple to make. With a little planning and these helpful pointers, you can transform ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary dish that will become a staple in your recipe repertoire.