Healthy Jacket Potato Guide: Nutritious Dinner Options

Jacket potatoes are an easy and versatile meal option that can be customised with a variety of fillings to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer classic white potatoes or the sweetness of sweet potatoes, this healthy guide will show you how to create a satisfying dinner with nutritious filling options.

1. Choose Your Potato: Start by selecting your potato base. Options include:

• White Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes

2. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 200°C. Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce them several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Rub the skins with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.

3. Prepare Your Healthier Fillings: While the potatoes are baking, prepare your nutritious fillings. Here are some filling options for both white and sweet potatoes:

1. Tuna Salad: Mix canned tuna with Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), diced celery, red onion, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the tuna salad over the baked sweet potato and sprinkle with chopped fresh dill.

2. Greek-Inspired: Toss diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives with crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Spoon the mixture over the baked sweet potato and garnish with fresh oregano or mint.

3. Vegetarian Chilli: Heat up homemade chilli with beans, diced tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. Spoon the chilli over the baked sweet potato and top with sliced avocado and chopped cilantro.

4. Baked Beans: If you're looking for a quick meal, choose baked bean tins with reduced salt. Or use the recipe below to make your own, you can choose any beans but my personal favourite is butter beans:

Ingredients:

• Butter beans: 1 can (about 400 grams), rinsed and drained

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced

• Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
  

• Tomato: 1 can chopped tomatoes

• Cumin: 1 teaspoon

• Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon

• Salt and pepper: To taste

• Fresh parsley: A handful, chopped

• Lemon juice: From 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

2. Cook the Beans: Stir in the can of tomato and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the rinsed and drained butter beans to the pan. Sprinkle in the cumin and paprika, stirring to combine all the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer for about 10-15 minutes. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little water to achieve your desired consistency.

3. Season and Serve: Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste. Just before serving, stir in the fresh chopped parsley and squeeze over the lemon juice for a fresh, zesty finish.

4. Assemble and Enjoy: Once the potatoes are baked, slice them open and fluff the insides with a fork. Fill each potato with your desired healthier toppings and enjoy!