Last Updated on May 18, 2021 by Chef Mireille
I am not a big fan of Microwave Cooking. I generally only use it to reheat food. Microwaves give off radiation and uses radiation to warm up the food.
Drained into my head from a child, my Mom always screams at me to this day if I stand in front of the microwave while it is on. She is a nurse and she is always warning me of the direct radiation that your body is getting when you do this. Even though she has one, she only uses it when she really needs to. If she has time, she warms up her food the old fashioned way on the stove.
However, even with this knowledge, I can’t deny the modern convenience and time saving that the microwave is. For busy working parents, it definitely is a necessity. Baked potato is one of the very few things I use my microwave for, other than warming up food. An hour in the oven is reduced to about 12 minutes in the microwave.
When I decided to do this theme of Kid’s Delight, I went back to my Nursery Chef days and decided to show you what were the kid’s favorites….where leftovers were non existent. Melted cheese over anything is a kid favorite – why do you think Pizza is a kid favorite worldwide? Melted cheese over nutritious broccoli and potato is a sure way to get them to eat every bite.
How to make Broccoli Baked Potatoes
- Cook potatoes in the microwave.
- Make Cheese Sauce.
- Cook the broccoli in the microwave.
- To serve, split the potatoes.
- Add the broccoli and then the cheese sauce on top.
- Sprinkle a little chive on top.
Of course, if they’ve never eaten baked potato before, you will have to show them how to spoon it out of the skin, so they do not eat the shell.
At the nursery school, even the 2 year olds were able to do this, once taught.
Some may say I am being hypocritical because first I warn your about the health hazards of microwaves and then I show you a recipe that utilizes the microwave, like anything in life – all things in moderation. I am not one of those hard line advocates that say you should get rid of the microwave, but I do think you should try to limit your use of it, if possible.
Broccoli Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 potatoes
- 1 cup broccoli chopped
Instructions
- Prick potatoes with a fork around the whole potato. Most microwaves have a baked potato button. Place potato in microwave and press this button. Even though my microwave prompts me with how many potatoes, I still find I have to run the baked potato button twice. For two potatoes, it went for two cycles of 5 minutes and 45 seconds.
- Meanwhile, let's make the cheese sauce.
- In a saucepan, cook butter and flour until you have a light colored roux.
- Add 1 cup of the milk and cook on low heat, stirring constantly until the roux has been completely dissolved; about 2 minutes. Add the rest of the milk, cheese and paprika.
- Cook, stirring constantly until all the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
- When the potato is done, put the broccoli in the microwave for 1 minute.
- Cut the potato in half lengthwise. Sprinkle with a little salt and with a fork, break up the potato a little bit.
- Add a little broccoli on top and press into the potato using the back of a spoon.
- Then pour the cheese sauce on top.
- Sprinkle a little chive on top.
Nutrition
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Wow Mireille, that surely looks so sinful, it's not just kid's delight, even we would love. There is so much awareness on microwave cooking. Though initial those were the points that were against mw cooking, I read that it's no longer so. If it was harmful why would gov approve it?..just my view and in no way enforcing on others.
looks awesome.. very different recipe..
yummy baked potato with cheddar cheese really looks delicious … kids will love this for sure…
Omg, wat an incredible way to sneak broccolis,with cheese am ready to have anything.
Baked potato looks yummy and delicious.
looks totally yum ! I had a version like this in my drafts, and those potatoes look totally healthy and cheesy..
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Looks awesome!!!!love to have one…..
looks fabulous and yummy..
happy to follow u dear:)
pls visit and join my space in ur free time:)
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Mireille, even my mother-in-law was like your mom. She lived in UK and they did not own one and bought a microwave only after moving back to India after retiring. The first time she came to visit us, she always warned us not to use it. Anyway, just like you, I use my microwave extensively for heating up food.
broccoli cheddar potatoes look sinfully delicious!
Am sure kids will love it…
i have had baked potatoes / jacket potatoes many times Mirielle…but never found them lookign so beautiful….the picture has come perfect…loved the clicks and recipes
Same thought here Mireille. I use microwave only for heating and occasionally cooking potatoes…totally agree on the cooking time being reduced. The baked potato looks awesome, love the brocolli cheese combo…amazingly healthy too.
Baked Potatoes with Broccoli sounds very delicious…sure a kid's delight recipe!
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Delicious looking baked potato.. Love the cheesy broccoli topping.. yumm.
My Husband sometimes raises concerns about microwave. I too use mostly for heating and very occasionally cooking.
Baked potato and broccoli looks delicious. My daughter was near me when I was reading the post, She said, "Amma this looks nice, I want to eat this". So have to make it for her sometime.
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I do most of my cooking in the MW ,getting the veggies done,soups,some Indian desserts and even cakes.
The potato bake sounds delicious.I would love to try this…
Delicious nutritious baked potato. Love the filling/topping!
awesome and innovative recipe for me
Very interesting. I love that you have added broccoli to the mix! Reg MW usage, there are always pros and cons for anything 'modern'. But then it is a matter of individual choice, preference and convictions. I use MW almost everyday but refrain from using plastics. I use only ceramic and glass and make sure I am not standing too close to it when it is on.
We have always eatin the shell of the baked potato, although maybe not from the microwave. It's one of the best parts of a good baked potato. And with the cheese and broccoli, and just about anything else, it's even better.
Alot of nourishment in the skins as well.