Need advice re:Baking potatoes and/or tomato-basil-mozzarella

[soccerchick]

Hi all,
I am having the family over on Saturday to help celebrate DS's 2nd birthday. I am cooking steak on the grill, baked potatoes, tomato slices w/mozzarella and basi, asparagus and of course, cake (Thomas the tank) and ice cream.

I have two questions:
1. Do any of you actually bake potatoes in a regular oven anymore? I usually don't, but I am having DS's family dinner/birthday celebration here on Saturday and thought it might be easier to throw a bunch in the oven instead of the microwave. Anyone have any special recipe/instructions you follow? How long do you think it will take to cook 16-18 potatoes? Thanks for any advice

2. Does anyone have a vinaigrette (sp) they love for the tomato slices w/basil and mozzarella? i could probably use the one I'll make for the asparagus, but thought there might be one especially for, and better with tomatoes.

TIA!!

 

[Spinning]

I usually nuke mine till almost tender and then pop them on the grill to crisp the skin.
Also for tomatoes, I dont' have a real recipe but in the past I cut the tops off, rub the tomatoes with just a tiny bit of olive oil. Then sprinkle the open part with garlic, fresh ground salt and pepper then cover with mozzarella cheese, pop on grill, lower lid cook till cheese is melted...That is yummy!!!!!

 

[ljb9539]

for the potatoes we usually wash them, wrap them in aluminum foli, poke a few holes in them and then put them on the grill for a while till fork tender..

Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil is my favorite... I usually slice both tomatoes and mozz (if you have the small balls of mozz - use an hard boiled egg cutter - they work great for the mozz) --- then layer them pretty ona place with tomato, mozz, basil, and continue around the plate. Then I drizzle olive oil on them, some balsamic, and some fresh black pepper - My FAVORITE summer time snack...

I have also taken some balsamic in a bowl - and slowly poured EVOO in the bowl while using my hand mixer on fast so that it would emuslify together then added some pepper, garlic etc. but really they have some great vingeretts on the market there is no need to add work before a big party

Have a great party...

Sorry for all the typos - I can't spell for beans...

 

[clh2]

This is going to sound really odd - so please keep an open mind. My DH did this for a pot-luck at his work, and everyone was really impressed. He fit as many as would fit in a 5 qt crock pot. Started them about 7am and lunch was at noon.

Crock pot baked potatoes

We also have 2 crock pots at our house (3 & 5 qt) so making the qty you are looking for wouldn't be a problem.

 

[soccerchick]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

chl2 - you don't sound crazy w/ the crock pot and that would keep my kitchen much cooler than using the oven.

 

[piratesmate]

I agree about the crockpot...much cooler than using the oven! If you don't think the skins are crisp enough you could always toss them in for 15 min at the end. I don't like whole potatoes done on the grill as DH always seems to burn at least one side. Being wrapped in foil it's too hard to tell when they need turning he says.

As for the salad - are they Disney people?

Marinated Tomatoes
Hollywood & Vine - MGM

1 lb vine ripe red tomatoes
6 oz vine ripe yellow tomatoes
8 oz Buffalo mozzarella cheese
2 Tbl fresh basil chiffonade
2 cloves fresh chopped garlic
¼ tsp Kosher salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 oz olive oil
2 oz Balsamic vinegar
1 oz roasted red peppers, diced

Wedge or slice tomatoes and mozzarella. Toss all ingredients and blend with tomatoes.