From Spud to Supper - Transforming a Potato Into A Meal

<h1>From Spud to Supper - Transforming a Potato Into A Meal</h1>

<p align=right>by Christine Steendahl</p>

<div align=justify>Potatoes are a standard of the American diet. This is because they are such an all-around food. Potatoes can be boiled, fried, mashed, baked, or turned into chips. We won’t be frying any potatoes today, but by using the other ways a potato can be prepared, you can turn it into a meal your kids will love. Let’s create a baked potato deluxe. To make the skin of the potato peel back easier rub them with olive oil prior to baking them. I personally like that better than utilizing the aluminum foil wrap. I’ve seen people cut the potato before removing the foil and I wonder how many small pieces of that foil are in that potato. While the potatoes are baking, get the aid of your little ones to help you make ready the potato bar. Let them add a few of their favorites to your list. I would recommend that a good list start with: shredded cheese, bacon crumbles (they taste better than bacon bits), chopped green onions, salsa, butter spray or reduced calorie margarine, and sour cream. While the potatoes are piping hot, split them open and add the butter spray and the cheese to allow it a chance to melt. Then, add the other items if desired. This loaded baked potato won't require anything else unless you want a salad. Kids will like that fact that they get to prepare their own meal. For a light lunch, dig the potato out of the baked skins. Mash the potato and mix it with shredded cheese, bacon crumbles, green onions, and reduced-fat margarine. Refill the potato skins and reheat again until the cheese is melted. Slice the potato into four pieces to make it more manageable for your little ones to handle. These twice baked potatoes are delicious. Soup anyone? Potato soup is tasty. It is best in the fall or winter to warm you up on a chilly day, but on a spring evening, it can be a delight. But, potato soup can be bland with just the potatoes. Here’s another chance to make a meal for your little ones using a potato. Add a few tasty items to your soup. You can almost add the same things to the soup that you can add to top a baked potato. My favorite toppings for potato soup are shredded cheese, broccoli florets, bits of ham or bacon, chives, and green onions. The meat gives it more protein to sustain your kids until the next meal. Potato soup can be eaten as a lunch meal or a light dinner. All of the additions give it great taste for the little ones. The potato even works in a salad. Everyone makes their potato salad slightly different, but however they prepare it, it is great to eat on a warm summer’s day for lunch. Potato salad is generally a side dish item at picnics or housewarming parties. Here we will transform it into a light meal for the little ones and you. To give it a little crunch, add chopped celery and onion to the salad. For the meat, use chopped shrimp for a seafood twist or ham pieces. The potato chunks should still be the biggest thing in the bowl since it is the star of the dish. Mayonnaise and mustard round out the list of ingredients with salt and pepper added to taste. Potatoes are enjoyable and economical. There are so many ways that they can be cooked which contributes to their appeal. If you are searching for a way to prepare them that will be yummy and satisfy your kids, try the suggestions above along with some of your own. </div>

<p align=center>Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/food_and_beverage/quick_meals/article-78076.html">ArticlePros.com</a></p>
 
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