Baked Potato Night - Cooking With Kids

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

23 Jul 2007 03:52 PM

My husband is one of those rare people who don't like potatoes. He'll eat just about other vegetable, but except for french fries, he doesn't eat potatoes.

My kids and I love potatoes any way they are made - boiled, baked, twice-baked, mashed, or creamed. So sometimes, when we know my husband won't be home for dinner, we plan on baked potato night.

If it's been awhile since you really oven baked a potato, not just microwaved it - let me persuade you. Bake the potato. Turn the oven on 400 or so and wait an hour. If you are in a hurry, you can microwave them first for a few minutes, then throw them in the oven. Oven baked potatoes have a marvelous texture and flavor that the microwave just doesn't provide. Once you've had real oven baked potatoes you will appreciate the difference. And oven baking doesn't take any more effort than microwaving, just a little more time.

The kids feel like it's a treat for dinner, so that makes it fun. And while it's not perfectly balanced - at least it's cheese and a vegetable. It's also a really easy night for me. There aren't many dishes to clean since the potatoes cook by themselves in the stove.

The boys help wash and poke the potatoes, grate the cheese, and set the table with salt, pepper, sour cream, and butter. Even little children can do those kitchen tasks and it's fun to have everyone help with the meal.

Other things that go well with baked potatoes are salad or soup. Either will help round out the meal. You can also top the potatoes with other things - salsa, chopped onions, green olives, or steamed broccoli. You can also use different kinds of cheese besides cheddar. A combination of Colby and Monterey Jack is particularly nice. Dieters can try cottage cheese instead of regular cheese and sour cream. Cottage cheese may sound horrible, but it's actually pretty good.

Tonight might be a good night for potatoes.

Also See: Cooking With Kids

Cooking With Kids - Fruit Salad

Fun in the Family Kitchen

A Hearty Baked Potato Idea

The Frugal Baked Potato

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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