Since I was small, I’ve found comfort in a hearty jacket potato! For years, I was scared of them, however, I am enjoying them now every Sunday, in a bit of an odd way to many I’m sure! Whether you like them with just melted butter or a good dollop of your favourite dressing, here are five ways to jazz up your jacket!

Good Morning Lovelies, 

I don’t think there is anyone in England who can’t say that they haven’t had a jacket potato! From the moment you are on solid foods, it becomes a right of passage to enjoy one at least once a month. Even my school canteen would serve them up for lunch! 

Podcasts I listen to often have guests on them speaking of their love for a good jacket potato. That includes celebrities. There was a time though, where I was truly scared of them, yet, I’ve managed to overcome this fear twice. Once whilst in hospital and now at home. 

For a very long time, my topping of choice was beans. When I was young this included cheese. As an inpatient, it was plain Branston beans. Whilst at home it was low sugar and salt Heinz ones or even a good dollop of Marmite. When I got scared of them again, this stopped. Going into them again, I’ve taken an easing in approach. Now, I top my jacket with thick gravy and vegetables. A bit like a giant roast potato if you will. 

There are literally thousands of ways to top the classic spud dish, however, if you have never had one or are stuck in a cycle of the same topping, I have five ideas to inspire you to change things up a bit. They are…

Tinned Chicken Curry: At least once a month when I was little, we would all go to a place called North Weald Market. I can remember in the dead of winter, having been dragged along by my mum and dad, it being absolutely freezing. To warm me and my brother up, we would all get jacket potatoes off a stall there. The topping of choice for all of us, apart from my dad, was chicken curry. The kind that came out of a tin with raisins in. I can still smell and taste the little kick that it brought to the dish. 

The Roast Dinner Jacket: Grab your favourite meats, all the vegetables, some flavoursome stuffing and even a Yorkshire pudding, add them all onto your jacket and smother in gravy. Honestly, a jacket potato with all the veg and gravy has become a real winner for me. I love the real hearty feeling it brings to the meal! 

Cheesy Beans But With Marmite: You can’t make a list of jacket potato toppings and not include beans or cheese. However, there is a twist to this. Grate the cheese, add it to the saucepan with the beans to let it melt, then whack in a teaspoon or more of Marmite. Even if you normally hate the stuff, it can really lift the potato. 

Ham and Cheese: Another British staple growing up is the ham and cheese toastie. However, you don’t ever really see the hot filling being used anywhere else other than in the sandwich. Change it up by making the melted mixture a jacket potato topping instead. Forget the bread, embrace the spudwich!

The Doner Potato: After a heavy night out or as Saturday night takeaway, we love a kebab! We don’t need a pitta bread to enjoy it though! Grab some juicy, flavoured lamb and make your own homemade kebab meat or get the ready made stuff, add a salad, some sauce and bung them all on top of a jacket potato. You won’t need chips when this dish makes two in one. 

These are just a few ideas that will get you through any situation lovelies! You can change them up to suit your dietary requirements or mix and match them even. I can definitely see the marmite idea working in with the roast dinner one, minus the beans, however, it is entirely up to you lovelies! It’s time to dig up the best spud dishes around! 

Joey X