Wok's For Dinner: Broccoli Baked Potatoes

I made this meal a couple months ago, and it was a hit with the entire family. I don't usually "hide" vegetables in our meal since the kids are pretty good about eating their veggies. And they love broccoli "trees". These broccoli trees are actually mixed into the mashed potatoes, which turn a lovely shade of pale green. I guess they'd make a great meal for St. Patrick's Day! Another plus about this meal is that it's definitely not a budget buster. It can be made for very little money out of pocket.

Broccoli Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 large baking potatoes

1/2 bag frozen broccoli (you could use 1-2 stalks fresh broccoli)

1/4 cup milk

1-2 Tbsp sour cream

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

Scrub potatoes then poke with a fork about 4 or 5 times all around. Make shallow slits around the middle as if you were cutting the potatoes in half lengthwise. Place potatoes on a paper towel in the microwave; cook in microwave for 10-15 minutes until fork tender.

Meanwhile, cook broccoli according to package directions. If using fresh broccoli, peel broccoli stems. Cut florets from stalk and steam florets until tender. Place cooked broccoli into a large mixing bowl.

When potatoes have finished cooking, carefully slice them in half. Using a spoon, scoop the potato insides out of the potato jackets. Place potato insides into a bowl with the broccoli.

Using a potato masher or an electric mixer, mash potatoes and broccoli. I prefer using a mixer; the potatoes come out a lot creamer.

Add the milk, sour cream, 3/4 cup cheese and pepper.

Mash together until the mixture is pale green with dark green flecks.

Allow your 2 1/2 year-old daughter (who is a really good helper!) to lick the mixer paddles. She'll love licking them clean, and you'll love the extra dose of veggies she'll be getting!

Heap the mixture into the potato jackets and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake in 350 F oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

These are really, really good! You can go as healthy as you want (using skim milk, fat free sour cream, less cheese) or load it up with bacon bits and butter. Hubs surprised me by not requesting butter on his (I mean seriously, the man is a Butterton). But he did go back for seconds and thirds. :)