I really do like a good baked potato but they get pretty routine so I thought I’d change it up a bit. I LOVE freshly grated Parmesan cheese and put it on a lot of things-roasted broccoli, freshly popped pop corn-the list is endless. I always have a block in the fridge to use for whatever. That ‘whatever’ happened to be the potato that night. And it was absolutely delicious!! The soft inside of the potato, some crunchy outside bits from the baking and then the salty nutty Parmesan makes one awesome potato. I would also consider topping with bacon pieces, chives etc..
Since it was just me eating dinner that night I only made one but you could make as many of these as you need.
Smashed & Baked Parmesan Potato
Ingredients:
- 1 russet potato
- 3-5 pats butter (to taste/size)
- 3-6 tbsp parmesan cheese, freshly grated (to taste/size)
- salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Pre-heat oven with broiler.
- With a fork poke holes all over the potato and nuke in microwave for 5-8 minutes until fork tender.
- Place the potato in a small, foil-lined baking pan. Smash it with a masher or meat tenderizer-flattening it but leaving it rugged and airy.
- Place the pats of butter on top and then sprinkle with the Parmesan.
- Place under boiler, watching carefully, until cheese melts and the ends of the potato get crispy.
- Serve with additional grated cheese if desired.
Note: use a microplane to grate the cheese if you have one. If not use the grater that will give you the finest grate.
Sparks from the Kitchen 