Beef and Taters TV Dinner

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
4 servings.

2 large baking potatoes (about 1 1/4 lb total), peeled, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/2″ thick)
3/4 C heavy cream, divided
Salt and pepper
1 lb ground sirloin
1 T flour
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 C beef broth
3 T steak sauce
1 (10 oz) box frozen petite peas
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1. In a small saucepan, combine the potatoes and enough salted cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, return to the pot and mash with 6 T cream, 1 t salt and a pinch of pepper. Set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with 1 1/2 t salt and 1/2 t pepper. Shape into 4 oval patties about 1/2″ thick. Coat with the flour.

3. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef patties and cook until browned, about 2 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

4. Add the onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Pour in the beef broth, steak sauce and remaining 6 T cream and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 4 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, cook the peas according to package directions.

6. Return the meat patties to the skillet and let simmer in the sauce for about 4 minutes. Arrange the patties on plates and spoon the sauce on top. Serve the mashed potatoes and peas alongside.

Baked French Fries

Better than fast-food fries, this healthy homemade version has lots of flavor with a minimum of fat. As a welcome bonus, the skins can be left on the potatoes for extra crispiness.

Serves 4.

2 medium baking potatoes, scrubbed (leave peels on if preferred)
2 t melted butter or olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Using a sharp knife, cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-thick slices, then cut slices into fry-shaped sticks.

Pour melted butter or oil into medium bowl. Add potato sticks and toss to coat. Spread on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, then turn potatoes and bake until crisp, about 30 minutes. While still warm, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Variations:
Sweet Potato Fries: Substitute sweet potatoes for the baking potatoes.

Spicy French Fries: Stir 1/4 t each cayenne pepper and chili powder into butter or oil before tossing with potatoes.

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Although this can be served as a dinner entree, you can fix it any time of day. It takes only minutes to cook potatoes in the microwave oven.

Serves 4.

4 large baking potatoes, scrubbed
1/4 C vegetable stock or canned broth
1 t olive oil
1/2 C finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C chopped red bell pepper
1/2 C chopped broccoli
1 T toasted sunflower seeds
1/2 C part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 C shredded low-fat Swiss cheese
2 T finely chopped green onions
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Pierce potatoes several times with a fork Microwave on high power until very tender when pierced with knife tip, turning once.

Meanwhile, in medium skillet, heat stock and oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, broccoli and sunflower seeds. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in ricotta. Set aside.

Preheat broiler. Remove potatoes from microwave, let cool slightly, then split tops open lengthwise. Transfer split potatoes to baking dish. Spoon vegetable mixture into potatoes. Top with cheese and green onions. Broil until cheese melts, about 2 minutes.

Loaded “Baked Potato” Soup

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
Makes: 4 servings, about 1 cup each

1 lb. baking potatoes (about 2), cubed
14-1/2 oz fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 green onion sliced, divided
1/4 cup sour cream
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Microwave potatoes in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min., stirring after 2-1/2 min. Stir in broth and milk. Microwave 10 min., stirring after 5 min. Carefully crush potatoes with potato masher.

Reserve 2 Tbsp. each bacon and cheese and 1 Tbsp. onions for topping. Stir remaining bacon, cheese and onions into soup.

Serve topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

Serving Suggestion: Serve this hearty soup with a bagged green salad tossed with your favorite dressing and a whole wheat roll.

Variation: Peel potatoes before cubing.

Warm Spinach Salad with Fried Egg and Potatoes

Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Serves 4

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 baking potatoes (about 1 pound total), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 shallot, minced
2 bunches flat-leaf spinach (2 pounds total), thick stems removed, leaves washed well and roughly torn
2 ounces Parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler
4 large eggs
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1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until potatoes are tender and browned, 12 to 14 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons oil with vinegar, mustard, and shallot; season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add spinach and Parmesan (do not toss); set aside.

3. When potatoes are done cooking, immediately transfer to bowl with spinach and dressing (reserve skillet). Toss salad until spinach is slightly wilted, and divide among four plates.

4. Heat skillet over medium, and gently crack eggs into skillet without breaking yolks; season with salt and pepper. Cook until whites are almost set, about 1 minute. Cover, turn off heat, and let stand until whites are just set but yolks are still soft, about 2 minutes more. Top each salad with a fried egg, and serve immediately.

Stuffed Potatoes

1/4 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1/4 t garlic powder
4 large russet potatoes
1 C part-skim ricotta
1 C reduced-fat shredded cheddar
1 C frozen spinach, thawed and drained
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Bake potatoes in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour or until soft. Remove from oven and carefully slice each potato in half. Scoop insides into a bowl, setting skins aside. Mash potatoes with a fork. Combine with ricotta, cheddar, spinach, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Spoon potato mixture back into skins. Warm in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serves 4.

Pepper Jack Stuffed Potatoes

Pepper Jack Stuffed Potatoes

4 medium baking potatoes
1/2 cup diced green onions
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
2 teaspoons 1% milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
Paprika to taste
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1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Scrub potatoes, pierce in several places with fork and arrange in baking dish.

3. Bake for 1 hour, or until tender when pierced with knife. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Meanwhile, combine green onions and oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; cook, stirring, until tender. Transfer to bowl.

5. Cut potatoes lengthwise in half and scoop out as much softened potato as possible, leaving shells intact. Add potato to green onion in bowl. Stir in cottage cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Stir in cheese.

6. Spoon mixture back into potato skins. Arrange in 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle tops with paprika.

7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are heated through and cheese is melted.