Great Stuffed Spuds

They will be the star attractions at your dinner table.

These updated tubers are family-friendly additions to any menu. Chicken-Club-Stuffed Potatoes is a great entrée, while Apple-Pecan-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes makes a hearty side dish. -CHARLA DRAPER

Apple-Pecan-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

MAKES 8 SERVINGS; PREP: 20 MIN.;

BAKE: 1 HR., 35 MIN.; COOK: 12 MIN.

4 medium-size sweet potatoes (3 ½ lb.)

¾ cup coarsely chopped pecans

¼ cup butter

1 large Rome Beauty apple, chopped

¼ cup golden raisins

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

1. Place potatoes on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tender.

2. Heat nuts in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 5 to 7 minutes or until toasted. Remove from skillet.

3. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple and raisins; sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until apple is tender. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Remove from heat.

4. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop pulp into a large bowl, leaving shells intact. Add apple mixture to pulp in bowl; stir until blended. Spoon mixture into shells. Place on baking sheet.

5. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top with nuts.

Chicken-Club-Stuffed Potatoes

MAKES 8 SERVINGS; PREP: 20 MIN.;

BAKE: 1 HR., 25 MIN.; COOK: 10 MIN.

4 (8-oz.) baking potatoes (2 lb.)

1 ½ tsp. olive oil

2 tsp. salt

8 bacon slices

1 cup diced cooked chicken

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese, divided

½ cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

2 Tbsp. minced onion

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1. Rub potatoes evenly with oil; sprinkle with salt. Bake at 425° directly on top oven rack for 55 minutes or until potatoes are tender and skin is crisp.

2. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat 7 to 10 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon.

3. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop pulp into a large bowl, leaving shells intact. Stir together pulp, bacon, chicken, ¾ cup each Cheddar and Swiss cheese, and next 4 ingredients.

4. Spoon mixture into shells; sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Oct 2007
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