Jacketed Potato

The last decade of last century was very crucial for India. India announced liberalization Foreign investments and products had less entry barriers. India attracted McD, KFC, Coca cola in this decade. KFC had problems to start with but for McD and Coke it was much smoother entry. McD adapted their product mix to suit the Indian cultural framework. Not only the menu underwent a change with beef finding no place in Indian menu, McD positioned themselves as a family restaurant. The fast food joint serving junk food in USA became a family restaurant in India. The pricing was designed to attract even those who would not otherwise spend that kind of money on fast food. It was still higher, as the Vada Pav that one would have for Rs.5/- was available in modified form as McAloo Tikki for minimum of Rs.25/- plus taxes. There was a segment available for this and McD established themselves well. The promotion was well designed to attract all age groups with emphasis on retro time frame for pricing. McD went ahead with home delivery in India. I haven’t seen McD doing home delivery in other countries. Not lagging behind were Pizza chaps, also cashed upon the changing food culture. The Pizzas also went in for adaptation and gave different local toppings for Indian consumers. Dominos brought in change with delivery in thirty minutes. A different standard in service industry was set in.

Baked and slightly roasted Potato with Cheese

Gadgets were getting popular. Microwave ovens were launched, but consumers had lots of reservations. Most of the fast food chains were using microwave ovens to reheat the food. The utility was more for reheating rather than cooking. It took a while to develop skills for microwave cooking. I got a microwave oven from Dubai in 1992 that’s still working. The newer versions of convection, grill, were not available in those days. They emerged in India little late. My passion for cooking made me experiment with microwave cooking. It was fun. I tried a simplest dish nearly twenty years back and I routinely make it for evening snacking, mostly during rainy season and winter. I got idea for this product in England.

On one of the weekends I decided to travel to south England, as there was nothing much to do in London. I drove to Sheepwash village in the county of Devon. Sheepwash village was adjusted as the best village in England. A very small village that was really well maintained. All possible amenities that a village would need were available. There was a small church, war memorial, piggery, bakery, grocer, post office you name it and everything was available. Sitting in the pub in this village that had about 300 population, yes just 300, I was looking for a vegetarian snack. There was none. The owner of the pub offered to serve a dish that did not figure in the menu. He called it as “Jacketed Potato”. I liked the name, it sounded interesting. I ordered the dish and was happy at my decision.

Ingredients for Jacketed Potato

Let’s see how I make jacketed potato. In the original recipe the entire process is done on a charcoal grill. As it is little difficult to have a charcoal grill in two BHK apartment, I make this preparation in microwave oven. Let us start, take a large potato, similar to one that we had when we made La Al Burto. Wash it properly. Prick it with fork all around. Wrap the potato in plastic film and microwave on high for two to three minutes. Turnover and microwave for another two minutes. Check, if done, be careful as it will be hot. If still hard then microwave for another minute. In maximum six minutes a potato will be done. (If not done then change the microwave or buy better quality fresh potatoes). Once done let it stand for two minutes. Get it out from the oven and remove the plastic wrap. Be careful again as it will be hot. Pierce a skewer through the potato, if skewer is not available then use a thin knife. Now roast the potato on gas flame, as charcoal may not be available. Let the potato skin burn a little to give a typical burnt smell. Next step is to cut the potato in half, vertical or horizontal, cut as per your choice. Scoop out little portion from the center of both the halves. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Stuff the hollow portions with cheese, cheddar or mozzarella or combination and a chopped clove of garlic. Place these two halves again in the microwave oven with stuffed portion facing upwards. Microwave for a minute or till cheese melts. Remove from the oven, allow cooling for a while, scoop out small portions at a time and enjoy. Discard potato skin if you don’t like. Enjoy with hot cup of Masala Chai (Read the blog)
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