Balsamic Baby Back Ribs With Truffled Twice Baked Potatoes Food

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Poke the potatoes all over with a fork. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and then drizzle with the oil, turning them over to coat completely. Bake until the potatoes offer no resistance when pierced with a paring knife, about 1 hour. Let cool completely (leave the oven on).
• Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, being careful not to break the skins (it's better to leave a little flesh in the skin than to risk breaking it). Rice the potato flesh into a large bowl and set aside.
• Stir the milk into the potato flesh along with 2 cups of the Cheddar, and the sour cream, scallions, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper to taste. Place the potato skins on a baking sheet and divide the potato mixture evenly among them. Top the potatoes with the chopped bacon and the remaining 1 cup Cheddar. Bake until the cheese is melted, the potatoes are completely heated through and the tops are just beginning to brown slightly, 20 minutes more. Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.

LOADED BABY POTATOES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife. Place the potatoes directly on the center oven rack and bake until the skins are crispy and a knife easily slides into the potatoes, about 40 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, put the bacon slices on a wire rack on a baking sheet and cook until crispy, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on the rack, then chop finely.
• Set the oven to broil. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the inside flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch rim intact. Set the flesh aside for another use.
• Arrange the potato halves skin-side down on a baking sheet. Brush the exposed insides of the potatoes with the melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Flip the potatoes and brush with the remaining butter, then flip them back over. Fill each potato with some of the Cheddar and a pinch or 2 of the bacon. Cook until the cheese is bubbly and melted, about 2 minutes.
• Top each potato with 1/2 teaspoon creme fraiche and a sprinkling of chives. Serve immediately.

HORSERADISH-BACON TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position racks in the middle and upper third of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees F. Scrub the potatoes and dry well. Bake directly on the middle oven rack until easily pierced with a knife, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven; let cool 5 minutes.
• One at a time, hold each potato with a kitchen towel and halve lengthwise. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Discard 2 of the potato skins. Mash the flesh with 6 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup sour cream until smooth. Stir in the chives, parsley and 2 to 3 tablespoons horseradish; season with salt and pepper. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter; brush the potato skins with 1 tablespoon melted butter and season the insides with salt and pepper. Set on a baking sheet.
• Mound the filling into the potato skins. Return to the oven on the top rack and bake until the filling starts browning and the skins are crisp, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
• Combine the remaining 1/4 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons horseradish in a small bowl. Top the potatoes with the horseradish cream, bacon and more chives.

MUSHROOM-TALEGGIO TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position racks in the middle and upper third of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees F. Scrub the potatoes and dry well. Bake directly on the middle oven rack until easily pierced with a knife, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven; let cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce the heat to medium; add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the sage and chicken broth. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high and cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 2 more minutes; set aside.
• One at a time, hold each potato with a kitchen towel and halve lengthwise. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Mash the flesh with the butter, taleggio and parsley until just combined. Stir in the mascarpone, then the mushroom mixture. Brush the potato skins with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season the insides with salt and pepper. Set on a baking sheet.
• Mound the filling into the potato skins and sprinkle with the parmesan. Return to the oven on the top rack; bake until the filling starts browning and the skins are crisp, 18 to 20 minutes. Season with salt.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED OVEN-BAKED RIBS

Steps:

• To prepare the ribs, heat the oven to 350 degrees. If the butcher has not removed the membrane on the back of each rack, gently pry it up by sliding a sharp implement (like the tip of an instant-read thermometer) under it, then lifting gently. Grab the membrane with a paper towel and peel it off.
• Spread a 24-inch sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side up, on a work surface. Place one rack on top, rub it all over with oil, and generously season both sides with salt. Place 2 parsley sprigs and 2 garlic cloves under the concave side of the rack and 2 thyme sprigs on top. Wrap the ribs in the foil, pleating the edges to seal well. Repeat with the second rack. Place the rib packets in a large roasting pan.
• Roast the ribs for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 250 degrees. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours more, until the meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch and the ribs are tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.
• Meanwhile, prepare the barbecue sauce. Place the balsamic vinegar in a large nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until reduced by a third. Add the remaining barbecue sauce ingredients with 1/4 cup water, bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thick, 30 to 40 minutes. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, add a little water. The sauce should be highly seasoned; adjust to taste by adding vinegar, brown sugar or salt.
• Remove the ribs from the oven and let cool briefly, then open the foil, being careful of the escaping steam. Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet. Turn on the broiler or raise the oven to 450 degrees.
• Slather the ribs on both sides with the barbecue sauce. Broil the ribs until the sauce sizzles and browns, 2 to 4 minutes on each side. Alternatively, bake in the oven 8 to 12 minutes. Baste with the barbecue sauce and serve at once with any remaining sauce on the side.