Recipe Idea: Baked Potato Bar

A baked potato bar is not a new idea and I am sure you have done it many times… but recently we “rediscovered” this dinner idea and it continues to be a huge hit around here!

I like potato bar’s because they are easy and cheap. We usually can find many toppings in the fridge and I rarely have to pick anything up at the store for it, the only thing I have to do is get them in the oven in time 🙂

I always butter and salt the potatoes with kosher salt and wrap them in foil, my husband tells me this is why he loves me! This is a good job for the kids. ** I think they turn out better when you don’t wrap them in foil, but it makes a mess of my oven and smokes even with a pan underneath…

A month or so ago I got a great deal on this BBQ. I usually make my own but it was so cheap I thought I would try it. I bought a bunch and threw them in the freezer. When we have baked potatoes we use 2 for my family. I toss them in the microwave and we top the potatoes with it.

This is a picture of my daughters plate, I forgot to take one of mine and my husbands, we had ours TOPPED with everything! It was prettier that way! We usually have sour cream, cheese, butter, green onions, pulled pork, and salt and pepper.

Here are some ideas of what you can put in your bar:

Vegetables mushrooms, sauteed fresh or frozen peas onions celery carrots tomatoes olives avocado slices or chunks broccoli cauliflower florets sweet bell pepper jalapenos

Sauces and Dressings flavored sour creams, such as chipolte, truffle, cilantro Ranch dressing sour cream dips seasoned butters garlic butter cheese sauces Meat sauces such as stroganoff Marinara sauce Alfredo sauce chili nacho cheese or chili con queso

Meats flaked tuna smoked salmon bacon bits shredded ham grilled or creamed chicken shredded or crumbled ground beef stroganoff or beef tips chopped barbecue blue cheese shredded Parmesan cheese tiny shrimps scampi

Exotic and Gourmet toppings chopped fresh herbs pesto sauted spinach with garlic stir fried baby vegetables roasted red peppers mixed grilled vegetables caviar or fish roe dipping oils truffle oil sliced toasted almonds chopped water chestnuts

Baked Potato bars are really good to serve to big groups and company, Ellen’s Kitchen has methods on how to transport and arrange Potato Bars for large crowds.

What are you having for dinner tonight?