How to Make the Love of Your Life Believe He Can’t Live Without You

Elvy Howard's
Cheese Stuffed Potatoes

or How to Make the Love of Your Life Believe He Can’t Live Without You

This was the Valentine’s dinner I made for my husband. Next to the blue plates you can see them (although small and difficult to see in this photo). 

They are easy, delicious, and great accompaniment to the filet mignon and Caesar salad we had. You can make these ahead of time and heat right before serving, which makes it great company food.   

Here’s the recipe:

One russet potato for each person (if you’ve got big eaters in the group, go for some additional ones). I use organic because they have a much better flavor. Do not peel.  Poke a hole in the top and bake them at 400 degrees until an inserted knife lets you know they are soft and cooked.  

If using large potatoes, cut in half. Smaller ones need an oval cut from the top of the potato.  Scoop out insides, and with a mixer add any (or all) of the following to the hot cooked potato:

Grated extra-sharp cheddar, Asagio, Parmesan (not the canned type), Swiss or other cheeses you like. The amount of cheese per potato is not fixed but make sure you use the cheddar. It’s hard to put too much in, but I probably end up with a 3:1 ratio of potato to cheese.  

Add Franks hot sauce to taste (even if you are not a hot sauce fan, put a little in. It boosts the cheese flavor and you won’t taste it at all), seasoning salt (I like Cavenders), celery salt (optional) and fresh ground pepper. 

Repack the potato shells with this mixture and bake until beginning to brown in a 350 degree oven. 

That’s it. Men love these, so if you are trying to make a special meal for someone, try this. You won’t be sorry, and neither will he. 

This is one of the recipes from Love on a Half Shell due to come out soon!

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Watch for Elvy Howard's debut novel, Love on a Half Shell, coming soon from Edward Allen Publishing. Three parts love, two parts grit...the perfect recipe to save a family.