HAMBURGER STUFFED POTATOES 

For the meat and potato lover in your kid, this is a full meal in a potato boat. It combines the concept of “double stuffed potatoes” with a cheeseburger, offering ample opportunities for Sneaky Chefs to slip in some nutritious purees. Prep ahead, refrigerate, then simply heat through at dinnertime (I heat mine in a toaster oven).

 

Makes 6 servings

3 large russet potatoes

 

For the hamburger mixture:

One tablespoon olive oil

One-half pound lean ground beef or turkey

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 teaspoon Worcester Sauce

3 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ cup Green Puree (see Make-Ahead Recipe #_, pg._)

1 tablespoon oat bran

½ teaspoon salt

 

For the potato:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt

¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

 

Time saving tip: if you have leftover meat sauce or meatballs on hand, use either as a substitute for the ground meat mixture 

 

Prick potatoes several times with a fork and place them directly on oven rack. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until tender. 

 

While potatoes are baking, heat the oil over medium heat in a deep skillet or earthenware pot. Add the beef (or turkey), stirring to break it up, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the meat is no longer red. Stir in the ketchup, Worcester Sauce, tomato paste, Green Puree, oat bran, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Mix well. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

 

Remove potatoes from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, leaving some potato in the skin to keep shells intact. Mash potatoes lightly with a fork, adding the butter, yogurt, and salt. Set aside.

 

Fill each potato shell with about 2 tablespoons of the cooked hamburger mixture, then top with about 3 tablespoons of the potato mixture, mounding slightly. Spray tops with oil and place back in the oven for 5 minutes, to crisp the top of the potato. Serve immediately. 

 

Cheeseburger variation:

Follow same instructions for Hamburger Stuffed Potato above, adding one-half slice of American cheese to completed stuffed potato half and returning to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.