Description
Sumptuous Mary Berry twice baked potatoes bring rustic British comfort to your dinner table. Rich cheese and chive filling nestled in crispy potato skins creates a delightful side dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 50 grams (1.8 ounces) butter
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) mature cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 rashers of smoked bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
Dairy and Cream:
- 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) double cream
Seasoning and Garnish:
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chives, finely chopped, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) with fan setting at 180 degrees Celsius or gas mark 6.
- Clean the potatoes meticulously under running water, then carefully dry them using paper towels, ensuring each potato is completely moisture-free.
- Using a fork, puncture multiple small holes across the entire surface of each potato to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and roast for approximately 60 minutes, or until they feel tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
- Remove potatoes from the oven and let them cool for 5-7 minutes to prevent burning while handling.
- Slice off the top third of each potato lengthwise, creating an open boat-like shape with intact potato skin.
- Gently scoop out the soft potato interior into a mixing bowl, being careful to leave a thin layer attached to the skin for structural integrity.
- Incorporate softened butter, grated cheese, crispy crumbled bacon, and rich double cream into the potato flesh, stirring until smooth and well-combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Carefully spoon the creamy potato mixture back into the original potato skins, mounding slightly.
- Return stuffed potato skins to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the tops become golden brown and edges crisp.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh chives before serving hot as a luxurious side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Bake potatoes just until tender, preserving their structural integrity for easy scooping and stuffing.
- Transform the classic recipe by experimenting with unique fillings like crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, or caramelized onions.
- Elevate the potato skins’ visual appeal by using a decorative piping technique when reintroducing the creamy filling.
- Create delightful crispy toppings with a sprinkle of panko breadcrumbs, sharp cheddar, or toasted pine nuts before final baking.
- Complement the hearty potato dish with light, fresh side accompaniments such as crisp mixed greens or roasted seasonal vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 399 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg