Prick a potato with a fork & prepare this decadent dish

Emily Monaco

Contributing Writer

Baked potatoes are a classic side for a reason: homey and comforting, they go well with anything from steak to pork chops. In the recipe below, a touch of olive oil creates a crispy skin to form the perfect contrast with the fluffy potato within. Topped with a simple broccoli-cheese sauce, it's just as tasty as a side or all on its own as a vegetarian main dish.
While the broccoli-cheese sauce on these potatoes is certainly a tasty topping, the crispy potatoes can also be topped with your choice of other seasonings. Consider bacon, caramelized onions, or spices to jazz up your potato. Or you could always set out a few choices to allow each guest at your table to dress up their potato as they see fit.

Cooktop Cove

Crispy jacket potatoes

20 minutes

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 50 minutes

4 large baking potatoes, scrubbed

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt, to taste

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup whole milk

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese

1 head broccoli, diced

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Use a fork to pierce the potatoes on all sides, then rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on a rack set over a baking sheet, and bake 1 hour 30 minutes, turning every 30 minutes.

When the potatoes have been baking 1 hour, begin making the cheese sauce. Heat the butter and flour together in a saucepan set over low heat. Whisk together until a smooth paste forms, then drizzle in the milk. Whisk to combine, and bring to a simmer. When the sauce thickens, remove from the heat, add the cheese, and whisk to combine.

Place the diced broccoli in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove the plastic, and stir the broccoli into the cheese sauce.

When the potatoes are fully cooked, split them and ladle the cheese and broccoli sauce on top.

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