LOADED BAKED CHEESY POTATO and AMERICAN WEDGE SALAD

Never underestimate the indulgent, comforting
value of a baked buttery potato. Instant sense of
home and self-care

LEVEL: SUPER SIMPLE
COST:  £
TIME: Approx 15 minutes (Oven on for 1.5 hours)
VEGETARIAN


A simple, easy supper as it was Thursday and the first day of the new term and we'd just got back from travels late the night before.

The humble baked potato is one of my all time favourites as it offers an instant warm hug.


NOTES: This was a great dinner as it had all the comforts of buttery potato filling you up warmly and the fresh, lightness of the salad. Was full and slept really well that night as I didn't feel like I was grinding food all night.

I've often relegated Jacket potatoes to side dishes or to the children's menu because they were too simple a dish, but actually, there's a real beauty in the simplicity of it, and as it was a really low time investment, I managed to get some writing done too, leading to a really productive night. The lack of wine helped with that, too.

INGREDIENTS: 
2 good sized baking potatoes
Butter
Handful of grated mature cheddar
Salt and pepper
Iceberg Lettuce
Paul Newman's ranch dressing
Tsp of capers for dressing

METHOD:
Bake the potatoes in the oven until you can slide a knife in (Approx 1-1.5 hours)
Scoop out the flesh (careful not to damage the skins) and mash in a bowl with butter, pepper, salt and a little grated cheese.
Spoon back into the jackets and then place back in the oven until crunchy brown on top.

Cut two good wedges out of an iceberg lettuce, pour on Paul Newman's Ranch dressing (the best we've found of the choices) and sprinkle with a spoonful of capers.


NOTES: This was a great dinner as it had all the comforts of buttery potato filling you up warmly and the fresh, lightness of the salad. Was full and slept really well that night as I didn't feel like I was grinding food all night.

I've often relegated Jacket potatoes to side dishes or to the children's menu because they were too simple a dish, but actually, there's a real beauty in the simplicity of it, and as it was a really low time investment, I managed to get some writing done too, leading to a really productive night. The lack of wine helped with that, too.