When planning a healthy diet in your attempts to lose weight do not overlook the simplicity and versatility of the baked potato.
Baked potatoes are a great source of nutrients (especially the skin) and are a great comfort food on dark, chilly winter nights. Potatoes are an outstanding source of potassium, a substantial amount of vitamin C and are a useful source of vitamins B1 and B6, and are also so easy to prepare. By themselves, potatoes are low in fat and calories. Baked potatoes even lose weight as they cook!
Sweet potatoes can be cooked in the same way and go particularly well with spicy fillings/accompaniments.
When buying baking potatoes choose potatoes that are not wrinkled, have green patches or have started to sprout. Select ones that are evenly sized and shaped. They will keep for several weeks if you keep them stored in a well-ventilated, cool dark place.
When preparing the potatoes for cooking scrub them well under cool running water and prick them several times with a fork to prevent them from bursting and reduce the cooking time. Do not wrap them in foil as this holds in the moisture and steams them. Instead, place them directly onto a baking rack. Turn them halfway through cooking time to prevent them browning too much on the underside. The secret to a great baked potato is the heat of the oven. You can tell when your potato is ready when a fork easily pierces the skin. If it's too hard bake it a little longer being careful not to overcook or the skin will dry up.
Baked or jacket potatoes as some prefer to call them are so under rated as they can be delicious, complete meals if you bake them properly and have a tasty topping or filling. However, they can be just as delicious if sprinkled with salt and black pepper or herbs
The perfect jacket potato is steamy soft and fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside. Cut the potato length wise and using oven gloves or a clean kitchen towel squeeze from each end to make the inside erupt out of the center or make a cross along the top and heap over your topping.
Toppings as the name suggests are something that you simply put on the top of your baked potatoes. Fillings are when you scoop out the inside of the baked potato, place it in a bowl and mash it then mix it will your favourite filling and pile it back inside the shell again.
To complete your meal put your chosen topping or filling on the potato and serve straight away with a side salad.
