This isn’t a super detailed recipe, in fact, there are no details. I saw videos of this dish on my TikTok, super popular dish in England. Jacket Potatoes are basically their version of baked potato but I think jacket potato sounds so much cuter. Never made jacket potatoes before, heck, I’ve never even made baked potatoes before but I was super curious. The ones I see on TikTok, the potatoes come out of the oven so freaking crispy on the outside and soft on the inside…I just had to do it!!!! Their toppings are a bit unique…one had tuna mayo and baked beans with melted cheese on top. Curiousity got the best of me.

The worst part about this recipe? Having to poke holes into the potatoes. I use a metal fork and I meticulously stab it, I don’t play around. It’s a nightmare.

LOL, did you know they sold pork and beans this size! I saw it at Don Quijote and just had to get it. We barely made a dent, still tickled me!

After I prick the potatoes and dry them off I generously oiled them (olive oil) and salted each side. Place it on a wire rack and into the oven at 425° for 2 hours. After one hour, you turn the potatoes over. Now this is for the big russet potatoes and baking time makes it perfect. So crispy on the outside and nicely fluffy on the inside. This picture is after I sliced it open and added slabs of butter in. What they do is, they add the butter with a butter knife and cut it into the potato flesh. You’re like making mashed potatoes basically within the skin. Then you add salt and pepper to taste. Is this how you make American baked potatoes too? IDK!

I added the tuna mayo, heated baked beans and shredded cheese on top and covered the plate with foil to achieve…

THIS! A few minutes of foil-age, you get the ooey gooey jacket potato! How was it? NO THANK YOU. LOLOLOL. It was super bland. Sorry, I know this is an English dish so I should have known better. Honestly, I am already not a huge fan of potatoes so I did not enjoy this dish. Luckily I had chili on the side, so the others had chili cheese potatoes. I had a few potatoes left over and made it american style after that which was enjoyed. That’s my adventure into jacket potatoes. If anyone really wants the recipe, let me know but there isn’t much to it!

Let me start this post off with a funny and TMI question. And if you’re not a woman, please feel free to browse past this paragraph. How do you put on your bras?? I’ve been having really bad shoulder problems (rotation issue) and when I could no longer put on my bra like before, I took action and got a referral to PT. That’s when I started talking to other women that I found out…it’s hard for a lot of people to put on their bras that way? I thread my arms through and reach my arms to my back to put on the clasp. I learned that a few of you clasp it up front, then turn the bra to the back and then put on the straps? How many of you do this?? Just genuinely curious.

Anyway, so yes. I have now completed 2 weeks of PT. Two more to go and I gotta say, this week really showed me how effective it has been. I haven’t realized how my shoulders have really been holding me back and making me feel miserable. I mean, when I sit still, my shoulders don’t ache but movement is super inhibited by the pain. I feel like I got a burst of energy back this week and I know my shoulders are so much better and looser than before. So right now, I can’t speak highly enough about PT and its benefits. If you have body aches that are bothering you, please consider doing PT if that’s an option. You’re worth it!

Okay, here’s another recipe that I found online. I needed another way to eat broccoli, getting tired of the two ways I eat it. Well, I’ve always liked balsamic veggies in the restaurants so I gave this a try. It was great! I love it. I also decided to add zucchini and green beans to the party. Thank god for our farmers market at work, I really hope they continue to come during the summer time.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Vegetables

Broccoli (I buy the ready to use bags from Sam’s Club or Costco)
2 medium zucchini, chopped
1 bunch of green beans, cleaned with the ends cut off, chopped

Balsamic Marinade
3 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried basil
freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried basil, and pepper. Set the marinade aside.

Lay out vegetables onto a baking sheet (single layer if able), drizzle marinade all over the vegetables.

Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven, give the vegetables a good stir, then return them to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and have browned on the edges. Don’t be alarmed if the marinade blackens on the baking sheet, that part will not be scooped up with the vegetables.

Recipe Credit: Budget Bytes