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Original poster

My teenager is 'making' jacket potatoes

75 replies

SouthWestmom · 18/06/2019 17:54

So far he has not believed me that we use a brush to clean them and not a cloth (as per his recipe). Now I have to check how clean they are and whether they have been brushed enough. Next his recipe calls for a 'cloth' to dry them. I am 'ridiculous' for suggesting kitchen towel and not having a dedicated potato drying cloth.

So far the potatoes have not got anywhere near the oven....

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 18/06/2019 19:44

IME young people start off by being very precious about recipes, but lack basic skills, so screw up. Then they get confident and try to adapt or make up recipes, but lack judgement, so screw up.
Eventually they hone skills and develop judgement and turn into better cooks than me.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 18/06/2019 19:50

Ok he went out Hmm so I've just squeezed them and turned them up. They are a bit over cooked looking on the outside and not quite in the 'squeeze'.

Back soon so hopefully he won't notice I've touched them Smile

OP posts:
orangeshoebox · 18/06/2019 19:50

my dc (pre teens) cook dinner once a month.
I have to hold my tongue a lot.
it was until now mostly edible and last time positively tasty.
that's how they learn.

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H2OH20Everywhere · 18/06/2019 19:51

But how will he learn? I really do think you should have just left them.

Teddybear45 · 18/06/2019 19:53

Oh dear. I have started to teaching my 7 yo neice and 4 yo nephew how to make jacket potatoes / mash potato. How on earth can a child become a teenager without knowing basic recipies?

FirstTimeDogParent · 18/06/2019 19:53

Good food reckons 1hr-1hr20 on 200?! They must be tiny potatoes? I buy big baking potatoes and they are nowhere near done at an hour. I also don’t prick, never had an exploder in 25yrs of cooking them. I used to prick them but found it dried them out a bit.

Teddybear45 · 18/06/2019 19:55

If you salt the outsides then you don’t need to prick.

FirstTimeDogParent · 18/06/2019 20:00

I don’t do that either

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 18/06/2019 20:06

Aw I couldn't face him being starving. They are quite small I think.

He seems quite pleased (he has returned) while inspecting them.

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 18/06/2019 20:09

I have a veg washing bag thingy from Lakeland.

blaaake · 19/06/2019 02:03

I've honestly never heard of washing/brushing potatoes Shock slattern

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 19/06/2019 06:18

This is how they learn!

This is a great book - aimed at students so it's fairly idiot proof. I still use my copy now. There are also budget and veggie versions from the same series. Beyond Baked Beans: Real Food for Students www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1899791833/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9uCcDbW2KKTR8?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Pixel99 · 19/06/2019 06:33

How was your tea OP? What did you have with them?

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 19/06/2019 06:49

Classic - beans and cheese. Another success for the teenager after mastering the cheesy eggs.

Maybe I will buy him one of the books recommended

OP posts:
ithinkmycatistryingtokillme · 19/06/2019 06:58

I was taught by dm to put them on metal skewers, the skewers heat up and help to ensure the centre of the potato is cooked while also reducing cooking time

LittleFairywren · 19/06/2019 07:01

Bloody hell I know this is meant to be light-hearted but why is it such a big event for a teenager to make jacket potato with beans?

orangeshoebox · 19/06/2019 07:02

ministry of food is quite good.
very basic but that's what you need to built up on.
some student cookbooks are excellent too.

Veterinari · 19/06/2019 07:10

I was taught by dm to put them on metal skewers, the skewers heat up and help to ensure the centre of the potato is cooked while also reducing cooking time

Yup and if you don’have a skewer just use a butter knife (all metal of course)

Horsemad · 19/06/2019 07:47

www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenCraft-Aluminium-Potato-Baker-Rack/dp/B0001IX382?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

This is what he needs OP! 😉

Kerberos · 19/06/2019 07:55

Good on him. Your description made me smile as it's just like my teens to decide I'm an idiot and The Recipe must be obeyed to the letter. To their credit they've made some really good food.

Original poster
SouthWestmom · 19/06/2019 09:15

He would treat a potato baker as heresy!

It is funny; I've fed them all for years and yet he doesn't trust me above The Recipe.

I know it's not a big deal (pp mentioned it) it's just nice chatting about something that amused me.

OP posts:
Horsemad · 19/06/2019 09:41

Well at least he's having a go! 🙂 Neither of my DC are interested in cooking (mind you, nor am I but I do it so we don't starve!! 😆)

orangeshoebox · 19/06/2019 09:55

I think it's great, too.
especially that he wants to do it.

now make it a regular feature Wink

x2boys · 19/06/2019 09:56

I just microwave mine, whilst oven baked potatoes are nice, they are not nice enough for all the faffing around and waiting around imo.

WhiteLightTrainWreck · 19/06/2019 10:07

Gosh I haven't made jacket spuds since I left home... 7 years ago 😳 I think me and dp will be having them for dinner tonight with tuna and cheese 🤤

Good on your son for doing it, I remember how regimented I was with making spag bol as a teenager, now I'm a chuck it all in girl...

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