What's For Dinner Tonight- Taco Baked Potatoes!

There was a disagreement in the house.

I asked what everyone wanted for dinner!

My daughter wanted baked potatoes and my son wanted tacos.

I said let's have both! 

I got an ..... "oooh kkk?"

I said let's combine them. The looks were skeptical.

I started to describe what I had hoped to be the end product.

They were so excited to make these with me!

We went grocery shopping:

russet potatoes ✔

ground beef ✔

taco seasoning ✔

sharp cheddar cheese ✔

lettuce ✔

tomatoes ✔

sour cream ✔

 I wrote about this in a previous blog. 

I found out the hard way, if you are making true baked potatoes, russet potatoes are a must!

You need patience to make true baked potatoes.

We started by washing the russet potatoes.

Run under water and you can use your hands to remove any dirt.

After washing them, using a fork, poke holes all over the potatoes.

Next take some aluminum foil and either spray vegetable oil on one side of the foil

 or rub the oil all over the potato. 

Then either sprinkle some salt on the sprayed foil or rub the salt all over the foil.

I prefer to spray the foil and sprinkle some salt on the foil- it is less messy.

Once this is done, roll the potato in the foil and place the potato on a baking sheet.

Put in a 375 degree oven and bake for 2 hours.

I have read lots and experimented lots with the baking process. 

This works the best.

If you remember, flip the potatoes after an hour.

Now it is time to cook the taco meat.

I used beef.

I normally use ground turkey or ground chicken, but the beef was a sale.

Start by spraying the pan with vegetable oil.

Add beef over medium high heat and brown.

Once fully cooked/browned add the taco seasoning.

I use the low sodium seasoning.

Drain off the excess liquid or use a slotted spoon when taking out the seasoned meat.

After the potatoes are cooked, unroll from foil.

Cut lengthwise.

 

Start scooping out the potato. Make sure to leave the skin intact.

Put the scooped potato in a separate bowl.

(Try not to sample.)

Put aside the skins.

I left them on the foil and placed back on the baking sheet.

Add the taco meat to the potatoes. 

Now add the cheddar cheese. There is no real measurement. 

Go by the looks. If you lots of cheese, add lots of cheese! 

Mix well!

Again, try not to sample too much!

Once mixed, use a use a teaspoon or tablespoon to put mixture back into skins.

Do not push down on the mixture.

Just fill the skins.

We left a few without cheese.

Top with a bit more shredded cheese.

Put back into 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and plate potatoes.

You may top with cut/shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream and/or crushed tortilla chips!

Some of us used the lettuce and tomatoes and made a side salad!

Now matter how you eat, it is delicious!

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!