Serves 4
- 4 small baking potatoes
- Butter (optional) or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tsp. mustard
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Whipping cream (as needed)
- 2 hard cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
- 1 half large green pepper, chopped
- Fresh chives (optional)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Scrub potatoes and prick all over with a fork. If you wish to have softer skins, just rub in some olive oil. Bake about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
To make the potatoes stand up, cut enough off the bottom so they won’t tip. Cut a small bit off the top. Scoop pulp from the slices and discard the skin but do not break it. You want to be able to use them like a “bowl ‘ later on.
Place the pulp in a bowl and mash. Stir in the sour cream and butter (if using) cheese, mustard, salt and pepper. If needed, add a little cream to make the desired consistency. Stir in the hard cooked eggs. Carefully spoon this mixture into the skins of the potatoes equally. Stand the potatoes upright in a square baking dish.
Bake in your preheated oven for about 20 minutes until completely heated through and tops are browned. You can prepare these ahead up to putting them in the oven. Cover and refrigerate. Can be reheated in a 325 degree oven for about 45 minutes.
Besides looking pretty they taste amazing.
Red Pepper Spread
This is a wonderful spread to use when wanting a hors d’Oeuvre to put out.
- 1 tub spreadable Philadelphia cream cheese
- 1 can chunky crabmeat
- 1/2 cup Armstrong aged cheddar cheese (aged old )
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- Crackers such as Raincoast Crisps
Preparation: Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate at least one hour. Serve with Raincoast Crisps, crackers or toasted baguette slices. You want to be able to spread this on crackers so you might have to add a tsp or two of cream to make the right consistency.
You will need spreader knives for each guest.
Serving an elegant dinner doesn’t have to cost the earth, but with a different twist on things, it will be elevated to that level and you can see how easy it is to get into the groove.
Taste Rating: 9