Family Cooking: The Baked Potato Bar
December 4, 2012
•Emily Murray
•Chicago
• 0 Comments
Family Cooking: The Baked Potato Bar
What are the best family dinners? They are the ones that are interactive and fun, where kids can have hands on approach to the meal. It’s also one where you have choices. I’m talking about create your own meals, some of these infamous dinners are pizza, tacos and of course The Baked Potato Bar. Perfect for big family gatherings or just a fun night with the kids. After all, you can’t please everyone, so why not let them create their own. How do you make a successful Baked Potato Bar? It’s easy.
The Star Ingredient: Potatoes
Figure out the number of potatoes you’ll need for your potato bar, then rinse and scrub the potatoes. After your potatoes are cleaned, it’s time to bake. There’s two different ways to approach baking a potato, a lot depends on the amount of time you have. If you have time than the oven is the way to go. Heat your oven to 350 degrees and place the potatoes in until soft – usually about an hour to an hour and a half. If you’re in a bit of a hurry the microwave is a good way to go. Just stick your potato in and heat it up for 2 to 3 minutes on each side and presto your potato is cooked. To avoid any exploding potatoes, you should poke holes in the potato with your fork.
Toppings: Where the Fun Starts
Here’s where the good times begin. Get as many toppings as you like and start piling on. Toppings can be whatever you or your family likes.
Some popular toppings include:
Sour Cream
Cheese (Cheddar or other grated cheese)
Onions
Chives
Chili
Sliced jalapeños
Tomatoes
Bacon Bits
Ham
Black Olives
Salsa
Hot Sauce
The list is really endless, that’s the fun of it, let loose and be creative with your toppings. It’s a meal that you don’t have to stress over.
A Meal Everyone Will Enjoy
If you want to make a great meal that everyone will enjoy, pick up some potatoes and a few toppings and have a baked potato bar. It’s a great way to get the kids involved and everyone will be happy with the meal because when it comes down to it, they’re the ones making it. It’s fun, easy and tasty.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs.. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Chicago for more information.
Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer.