Viv Moon's OUTDOOR & TRAVELLER'S eCOOKBOOK

Whole Baked 'Jacket' Potatoes & Toppings

Potatoes are Australia's largest vegetable crop, accounting for well over a third of total vegetable production. The cooler states of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania account for about three quarters of the total crop. Tasmania's crop is mainly used for processing.
A whole baked potato with some filling makes for an easy quick main meal, or is delicious as side dish.
Follow the hints below to make the perfect baked whole potato and try some of the fillings given. You can't go wrong!

Hint: Don't have time to bake the potato for an hour or so, then a good compromise is to cook the potato in the microwave (or in pot full of water on the stove top) until it's almost cooked through and then pop it in to a preheated hot oven to finish it off for 30 minutes or so. Whether you're cooking potatoes in the oven or microwave, always wash the potato first then prick it all over with a fork and dry. For a really crispy skin, you can rub a little oil over it (for oven cooking).

The Perfect Crispy Baked Whole Potato

4 large unwashed potatoes (Kestrel, White Star, King Edward & Red Star, Royal Blue & Russet Burbank potatoes are good)
course salt crystals
oil or spray oil
seasoning – garlic pepper, pepper steak, etc

Preheat your oven or camp oven, having it fairly hot (200°C).
Line the bottom of the camp oven or baking tray with foil or baking paper and sprinkle in a good layer of course salt crystals (or flakes, but they are a bit expensive). The salt helps to absorb moisture from the potatoes during cooking, making the skin crisp.
Wash the dirt off the potatoes and pat dry, then pierce the skin a few times with a knife, fork or skewer. If you don’t, the potato is likely to burst during cooking.
Rub a little oil over the outside of each potato, season and place on top of the salt.
Put into your hot oven/camp oven - put on the lid and add some coals to the lid to help brown the top of the potatoes.
Bake for approx 45 mins to 1 hour. Cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes (and the heat from your coals).

Oven: Place ingredients in a baking dish and bake in a mod/hot oven 200°C for approx 1 hour or until cooked.

Camp Oven: Keep a check and add or remove coals as needed. Don’t add too many coals though as it is very easy to burn the spuds, and you just want them nicely browned and crisp.

To serve, remove and cut a cross on top of each potato and peel back slightly. Or squeeze gently inwards to open up the cut.

Spoon on your favourite topping or try some of the suggestions given below.

Suggested toppings:
Butter, coleslaw, sour cream.
Salsa, sour cream, grated cheese, spring onions.
Thinly sliced ham or bacon, pineapple.
Tuna, pineapple.
Avocado, sliced chicken.
Roasted garlic, fried bacon pieces and onion.
Guacamole & sour cream.
Smoked salmon slices, mayonnaise or sour cream with chopped dill.
Savory Mince and cheese.
Chili Con Carne and cheese.

Or you could try any of the fillings suggested below.

Egg in Potato
A nice easy dinner and a great way to serve up an egg.

Ingredients:
Eggs
Cooked bacon
hot baked beans

Directions:
Place a hot cooked jacket potato on a flat surface.
Slice the top off (about 1/4 of the potato) and scoop out enough flesh to make room for one egg.
Break 1 egg in the hollow and place the potato/egg into a hot oven or camp oven and cook until egg is set to you liking. Serve with cooked bacon and beans, or whatever sides you like.

Tuna & Mayonnaise topping for Baked Potato
For something a little different which is really tasty and refreshing.

Ingredients:
1 x 125gm can tuna fish in water/brine - drained
1 to 2 small red onions - finely chopped
1 red capsicum or green - finely chopped
1 chili - seeds removed and finely chopped - optional
1 small handful of fresh basil - finely chopped - optional
2 sticks of celery - finely chopped
2 tspns English mustard paste
8 to 10 tblspns Mayonnaise salad dressing
few drops Tabasco sauce - optional if you like a bit of extra bite
1 tblspn lemon juice
salt, pepper to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.
Spoon into the open top of a hot baked potato.

Hint: Try adding some grated cheese if you like.