Tater Dinner Mates - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Did you know that taters (potatoes to be exact) are a great source of good nutrition?  An average 3 oz. potato has only 110 calories yet is Fat-free, Cholesterol-free, high in Vitamin C, high in Potassium as well as a good source of Vitamin B6 and Dietary Fiber.  Try these ideas for using potatoes in your family meals.

Herbed Twice-Baked Potatoes

2 medium baking potatoes                                         
1 1/2 oz. cream cheese, cubed                                   
1 Tbsp. chives                 
1/4 tsp. salt   
1/4 tsp. pepper    
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 Tbsp. fat-free milk
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter, melted and divided
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. paprika

Scrub and pierce potatoes.  Bake at 375 for 1 hour or until tender.  Cool for 10 minutes.  Cut potatoes in half.  Scoop out pulp, leaving a thin shell. In a bowl, mash the pulp with cream cheese, chives, salt, basil and cayenne.  Add milk and 1 Tbsp. butter; mash.  Spoon into potato shells.  Drizzle with remaining butter; sprinkle with garlic powder and paprika.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.   

Loaded Potato Salad

2 1/2 lb. red potatoes, cubed     
1 cup sour cream     
1/2 cup mayonnaise                              
1/2 bunch green onions, chopped  
1 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese                                                      
1 Tbsp. real bacon bits

Boil potatoes for about 10 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.  Drain, and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the onions, and half of the cheese.  Gently stir in the cooled potatoes.  Top with remaining cheese and onions, and sprinkle bacon bits over the top before serving.

Baked Potato Fans

4 medium baking potatoes
1 tsp. salt
2-3 Tbsp. melted butter

2-3 Tbsp. chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, thyme, sage)
-or-
2-3 tsp. dried herbs

4 Tbsp. grated Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Peel potatoes if the skin is tough, otherwise just scrub and rinse. Cut potatoes into thin slices but not all the way through. Put potatoes in a baking dish.  Fan them slightly. Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with butter.  Sprinkle with herbs. Bake potatoes at 425 for about 50 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake potatoes for another 10-15 minutes until lightly browned, cheeses are melted and potatoes are soft inside.