Mini Stuffed Potatoes

Mini potatoes have always been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. While they may not be the best choice for practical, everyday use (a five pound bag of russet potatoes often costs less than a bag of minis), they are a great choice when the timing is right. Mini potatoes are very versatile. They are easy to prep, easy to cook, tasty, and they come in a variety of colors. Really, what’s not to like about them?

This particular recipe is a perfect example of how well their miniature size comes in to play. I put this recipe together as an appetizer for a recent get together with friends. The dish is very similar to stuffed mini button mushrooms, only we are using the mini potatoes in place of the mushrooms. Being that I’m not so much of a mushroom fan, this recipe is a good alternative for me.

You can adjust the serving amount to your need, so I decided to make enough to use with two different fillings: a traditional bacon and cheddar filling, and Trader Joe’s Artichoke Antipasto, which happens to be one of my favorite condiments. A pepperoni pizza filling would be a fun option, and a crab filling that you would use with stuffed mushrooms would also work really well with this recipe – and I plan on giving both a try some day. I also chose the multi-color mini potatoes for a bit of variety. You can also go with all red or all white…whatever you prefer. Because this recipe can be adjusted according to how many you need and what filling you would like to use, I am only going to share the basic steps. You can easily adjust measurements and ingredients according to how much you prefer to make. I encourage you to get as creative as you like!

1. The first step is to slightly soften the potatoes so that they can be easily sliced in half and the filling scooped out, leaving a thin layer of potato in tact (in other words, do not scoop it out all the way to the skin). Start by poking the potatoes with a fork a few times. Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave for 2 minutes. Move the potatoes around a bit, and microwave for another 2 minutes. Remove the potatoes, slice in half and scoop out most of the filling.

2. Place the potatoes cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush the potato skins with olive oil, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes or until the skin starts to brown. Remove from oven and carefully flip the potatoes so they are cut side up.

3. You are now going to add your filling to the potatoes. As mentioned earlier, I chose to sprinkle some shredded cheddar topped with bacon pieces, and I also used a dollop of Trader Joe’s Artichoke Antipasto. Whatever filling you prefer will work well. Place the stuffed potatoes back into the oven for another 8-10 minutes, until your fillings are heated and melted to your liking. Carefully remove from oven, plate, serve and enjoy!