Let’s face it, the potato is a practically perfect food. It is abundant, inexpensive and a fantastic base for all kinds of other foods. I found this recipe for Pizza Potatoes on the Whole Foods site. I have made it several times exactly as the recipe is written and I am sharing it with you just like that. I love this recipe. It is really hearty, very nutritious and vegetarian! There are of course infinite possibilities for modifying this recipe.
Pizza Potatoes http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2566
Ingredients:
4 large baking potatoes
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 small yellow onion
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup jarred pasta sauce (the plainer the better)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Wash the potatoes and dry them. Peirce all over with a fork. Place in a baking pan (I use a square pan) and brush with the olive oil. Bake for about an hour until the potatoes are tender.
When the potatoes are almost done, cook the veggies (zucchini, squash, onion and mushrooms) in a small amount of olive oil just until tender.
Once the potatoes are done, remove from oven (change the oven from baking to broiling). Slice the potatoes open lengthwise and squeeze to open. Top each potato with a big spoon of the veggie mixture and a large spoon of the pasta sauce. Top with the mozzarella cheese if using.
Return the potatoes to the oven and broil for 3 or 4 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the pasta sauce is hot.
Cost:
I have not officially tracked the cost on this. I have been buying the zucchini and squash as well as the onions at the farmers markets. A quick check of Peapod grocery delivery gives me the following costs:
Potatoes a 5 pound bag (way more than 4 potatoes) runs $3.49 or baking potatoes are .79 each for a cost of $3.16
Zucchini .89
Yellow squash 1.00
Mushrooms already sliced 1.99
Onion .79
Jarred pasta sauce I like the Classico tomato and basil sauce $3.19/24 oz. I get 2 meals out of this for a cost of $1.60
Mozzarella cheese $3.49 of 16oz so I get many meals out of this. Let’s say I use about ¼ of the bag for a cost of $.87
This makes the total cost of the Pizza Potatoes $10.30. This serves 4 so the cost per serving is $2.58.
I love topping potatoes like this. I have done it as simply as adding a can of vegetarian chili (one can goes a long way). And there are endless ways to top a baked potato. I am planning to try a taco potato (refried beans with taco toppings or maybe black beans and salsa), and a Greek potato (something with kalamata olives and feta cheese).