Pancetta And Pesto Twice Baked Potatoes Recipes

CREAMED SPINACH TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position racks in the middle and upper third of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees F. Scrub the potatoes and dry well. Bake directly on the middle oven rack until easily pierced with a knife, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven; let cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach (in batches, if needed) and cook, tossing with tongs, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, nutmeg, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to high and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a cutting board and finely chop; squeeze dry in a kitchen towel.
• One at a time, hold each potato with another kitchen towel and halve lengthwise. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Mash the flesh with the remaining 3 tablespoons butter until smooth; season with salt. Stir in the egg yolks and parmesan, then the spinach mixture. Brush the potato skins with melted butter; season the insides with salt and pepper. Set on a baking sheet.
• Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Stir about one-quarter of the whipped cream into the potato mixture, then gently fold in the rest.
• Mound the filling into the potato skins. Return to the oven on the top rack and bake until the filling is warmed through and starts browning, about 15 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until the filling is golden brown and the skins are crisp, 1 to 2 more minutes.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES WITH MUSHROOMS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using the tines of a fork, prick the skins of the potatoes all over and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours until tender and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool until warm enough to handle, about 20 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooling, in a medium skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the mushrooms are golden and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Put the mixture into a medium bowl. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and, using a small spoon, scoop out all but 1/4-inch of the flesh. Add the potato flesh to the mushroom mixture. Add the butter, oregano, and 1 cup of the cheese. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange the potato halves, cut side up on the baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the potatoes with the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season the inside with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon the mushroom mixture into each potato half. Arrange 1 half-piece of prosciutto on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the prosciutto is crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer to a serving platter, garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

BASIL PESTO TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C.
• Bake the potatoes in the oven for about an hour, until the skins are firm and the centres are soft.
• When the potatoes are cooked, remove from the oven. Halve them lengthways and scoop out the majority of the flesh with a spoon. Be very careful not to tear the skin- leave a quarter inch of flesh still in the skin to provide a firm shell.
• Lightly mash with a fork the flesh that has been removed from the skins. Mix in the mascarpone cheese and basil pesto sauce and season with salt and pepper if desired. Stir well to mix.
• Add the grated mozzarella and pine nuts and stir to mix.
• Scoop the filling back into the potatoes, smoothing the tops.
• Place on a foil-covered baking tray and bake for 10 minutes, until the filling is hot.
• Serve hot!