Twice As Nice

Are carbs still a no-no?  Honestly, we don’t really even care.  There’s a nip in the air and we’ve been waiting to stuff our faces with warming, stick-to-your-ribs food for way too long.  To finally kick off the changing of the seasons, here’s a recipe from our friends at Trader Joe’s that will warm you to your toes- your potatoes, that is.

Seriously Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 1 Hours

Ingredients

•    4 large TJ’s Russet Potatoes
•    1/2 cup TJ’s Milk
•    TJ’s Salt and TJ’s Pepper, to taste
•    1 jar TJ’s Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa
•    1 cup TJ’s Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
•    1 cup TJ’s Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips, crushed
•    1/2 cup TJ’s Fresh Cilantro, chopped
•    1/2 cup TJ’s Green Onions, chopped
•    TJ’s Sour Cream, to garnish

Directions
Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 425ºF. Pierce each potato several times with a knife. Pre-cook potatoes in the microwave on high for about 7 minutes or until they give when pressed. Remove from microwave, place into oven and bake directly on rack until tender, about 30 minutes. When cool enough to handle, transfer potatoes to a work surface and cut off the top (about 1/4-inch lengthwise) of each potato. Scoop center of potato from skins into large bowl, leaving about 1/4-inch of potato lining the skin. Mash with milk; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in corn salsa, chips, half of the cheese, half of the cilantro and half of the onions. Fill each of the skins with the potato mixture, mounding it in the center. Top with remainder of cheese. Return to oven and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Garnish finished potatoes with sour cream, remainder of green onions and cilantro.

Trader Joe’s is located at 610 S. Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena.  For more information please call (626) 568-9254 or visit http://www.traderjoes.com/