Like chili cheese fries, but healthier, and no drive to the fast food place.
This is such a quick and easy dinner. The potatoes are microwave-cooked. The chili and optional bacon are leftovers. And the rest comes together in a flash -- I think the most time-consuming part is scrubbing the potatoes. These are a huge hit with my family, as it's a cross between home-cooking comfort food and diner fast service.
Ingredients:
potatoes, scrubbed, but still in skins
leftover chili (meat, vegetarian, canned or homemade)
grated cheddar cheese, about 3 to 4 tablespoons per potato
minced onions, or scallions, a couple of teaspoons per potato
leftover cooked bacon, crumbled, 1/2 to 1 slice per potato (optional)
Equipment:
microwave oven
microwaveable container for the chili
Method:
Pierce potatoes all over with the tip of a knife. Microwave on high, 2 to 4 minutes per potato, until cooked (check after the minimum time). In my microwave, I do 5 potatoes, on HI, for 9-12 minutes. I begin checking after about 8 minutes, and remove any potatoes that have softened. Then continue cooking until all potatoes are done. **Microwave time will vary according to potato size and microwave wattage.
Heat chili.
Split potatoes lengthwise, and squish to open. Add salt and butter, if desired.
Top with a couple of large spoonfuls of hot chili (so it pours over the sides), some grated cheddar cheese, and spoonful of chopped onions or scallions.
Pop back in microwave for 40 seconds, to thoroughly melt the cheese.
Optional -- if you want over-the-top-potatoes, crumble one slice of bacon over each.
Super simple supper for my hungry family. Do you have a favorite super simple supper?
