Matt's Twice Baked Potatoes

By: Matt Armendariz
Twice Baked Potatoes

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I could sit down to a meal of twice-baked potatoes and nothing else. Something about that cheesy, moist mashed potato inside a crispy potato skin sends me over the top. However, common sense (and the voice of my mother) tells me that's not the wisest meal choice — I should have some balance! Ok, so a twice-baked potato with some delightful steamed veggies or a green salad? Now we're talking.

In this recipe I've loaded it up with herbs in the form of thyme and chervil and added goat cheese for tanginess, fontina for its saltiness. I've also decided to throw caution to the wind with a cup of cooked pancetta and a topping of cooked chorizo. Perhaps now you can see why I’m having trouble sharing my plate with anything other than these loaded spuds.

You can easily substitute bacon for pancetta, but use Mexican-style chorizo for this recipe and not the Spanish variety. For my vegetarian brothers and sisters, omit the pancetta and top with a vegetarian Mexican chorizo — it'll add spice, color and flavor.

Twice Baked Potatoes

(Serves 4)

6 large russet potatoes

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup sour cream

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup cooked pancetta, chopped

2 tablespoons chives, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

1 tablespoon fresh chervil, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup cooked chorizo
1/4 cup fontina cheese, grated salt and pepper to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Using a fork gently prick holes throughout each potato and individually wrap them in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped potatoes onto a baking sheet and place in the oven.
  4. Bake for 40 minutes to an hour, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  5. Remove the foil from the potatoes and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
  6. Carefully make an insertion halfway through each potato and carefully scoop the flesh into a large bowl.
  7. Once all the potatoes have been hollowed out, add the butter, milk and sour cream to the bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Gently fold the goat cheese, pancetta, chives, thyme, chervil, and garlic into the potato mixture until fully incorporated. Adjust the seasonings.
  9. Carefully scoop the mixture back into four of the potato skins, discarding the other two skins, until each potato is barely overflowing. Set aside. (If a piping bag is available, the mixture can be piped back into the skins.)
  10. In a small bowl, combine the chorizo and fontina, toss together.
  11. Top each potato with 2 tablespoons of the chorizo and cheese mixture.
  12. Place the prepared potatoes onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  13. Transfer the potatoes to the broiler and broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until the tops become golden brown and develop and light crust.
  14. Allow the potatoes to cool for 5 minutes and serve hot.
More posts from Matt:
Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Queso Fundido
Fig and Blue Cheese Flatbread
Ice Cream Terrine with Sautéed Peaches
Matt’s Ultimate Summer Salad
Matt’s Cherry Galette

Find Matt at mattbites.com.

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