Since starting my new job I've not really been in the mood to cook after work. This isn't typical behaviour, I usually love whipping up something tasty in the kitchen, but I'm still getting used to these new shift patterns and as I'm learning lots of new things every day I'm pretty darn tired by the time I get home. I'm ashamed to say that we've been living off frozen food and take aways over the last few weeks, so I've been trying to think of quick cheap dinners that I won't mind making after a long day at work.
These tasty delights were inspired by a recipe I saw on the Yummly app and decided to play around with. I didn't look at the method the recipe itself gave and just made them how I thought they should be done, and added a few extra ingredients and seasonings to 'knock them up a notch'. If you're stuck for a dinner or lunch idea I'd definitely give these a go as they're delicious, and most of the time they take to make is in the cooking when you aren't actually doing anything so they're easy enough to put together when you're feeling less than chipper!
Serves 2-4
Ingredients
4 baking potatoes (I used Elfe spuds)
1 small head of brocolli, about 350g
a few slices of smoked ham
100g grated cheese
1-2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2-1 tsp granulated garlic
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to season
Method
Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F then take a fork and stab the potatoes a few times. Place them on a non-metallic plate and cook on full power in the microwave for 15 minutes. When they are done place them on to a baking tray and put in the oven to cook for another 20 minutes.
While the jackets are roasting but your head of brocolli into florets and boil or steam until tender. Chop the broccoli roughly into small chunks and put in a medium sized heat proof bow. Now chop the slices of ham into small chunks and add to the bowl with the broccoli.
When the jackets are done remove them from the oven and leave them to cool for about 10 minutes until they aren't too hot to handle, then cut them in half and scoop the insides out placing them into the bowl with the broccoli and ham and being careful not to tear the potato skins. Place the skins back on the baking tray and set aside.
Add the butter, garlic and cayenne to the bowl with the other ingredients with most of the grated cheese, leaving a little behind for sprinkling. Mash the ingredients together until thoroughly combined, season to taste with the salt and pepper and then spoon back into the potato skins. Now sprinkle over the remaining cheese and pop back in the oven for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve as they are or with a nice little salad and enjoy!