Toppings for baked potato bar?

[jen0610]

This thread is making me hungry! One of the very few foods that my wife genuinely dislikes is baked potatoes, so I rarely eat them, but I do love them!

I also second the mashed potato bar concept. I've been to a few events with the concept and they have been wildly popular (and a lot less messy to eat in a social setting than a full baked potato).

I agree with everybody who is saying to go heavy on the bacon, regardless of what you choose! I also love pulled pork on a baked potato.

The other plus thing I heard about going with the mashed bar instead of the baked, is with mashed people can try a lot of small combinations vs one larger baked option. I know at the wedding we were at, lots of people went back up there a couple of times. DD went up once and got the russet with butter, cheese and bacon bits. Second time, she got the red skinned that she stirred in the bacon before topping it with the brown gravy.

 

[Wendy31]

We've been to a wedding recently as well w/ a mashed potato bar, & it was the hit of the reception!

The mashed potatoes were served in martini glasses, & some of the toppings that I remember were cheese (shredded & melted), chives, bacon, gravy, & chopped broccoli.

 

[shoney]

love the mashed potato bar idea!!! I think i'll try it around the holidays next year.

I did the baked potato bar last summer and it didn't go over well!

I also served hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, rice, potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob and then cheese, bacon, broccoli, sour cream, chives and butter for the baked potatoes. I think only 2 were eaten and one was my SIL who is a vegetarian!

I had to make the chili and rice because that is what my birthday boy wanted. I thought the baked potatoes would go well with it!


I asked my parents and dh why they didn't eat the potatoes and I was told "they are not a summer BBQ food!"

 

[eeyoresmom]

OP here. The mashed potato bar sounds heavenly, but I can't peel potatoes, it kills my wrists ( May have carpal tunnel syndrome ).

 

[lorimay]

This morning on The Today Show, Gail Simmons from Top Chef was out on the plaza with a baked potato bar, she had some neat recipes and ideas.

One was topped off with a crispy onion ring.
If you go to their website, the recipes and ideas should be on there for you.

 

[LilyWDW]

Just had a baked potato for lunch today. I had butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, green onions and broccoli on mine. They also offered jalapenos, black olives, ham, chili, and salsa.

 

[Talking Hands]

Soy shredded cheese, soy sour cream and dairy free margarine, crumbled bacon, black olives, pico de gallo, chopped green onions, broccoli, sunflower seeds.

 

[disneyhand]

Lots of good ideas here. I've done parties with both baked potato and mashed potato bars with many of the toppings mentioned.

Another way to do potatoes with toppings is as more of a finger food. To do that just use small or medium red potatoes. Clean and dry them, then slice in half the long way. Use enough olive or veg oil (bacon grease is really good too ) on a cookie sheet to grease the pan and the potatoes. Salt and pepper the potatoes and place them cut side down on the cookie sheet. Bake till fork tender.

Your guests can top them with whatever they want. It's similar to a twice bake potato without the extra work. They are yummy and always a hit when I serve them.

 

[Sabeking]

Ranch dressing

 

[DeaverTex]

SOS. That's creamed chipped beef, usually served on toast (the shingle) but wonderful on baked potatoes.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Maybe you could offer sweet potatoes as well?

 

[Mom_Rides]

We did a baked potato/salad bar for my sisters baby shower. It was easy since many of the toppings could be interchanged. For the potato section we did:

Bacon
Cheese whiz
Shredded cheese
Steamed broccoli
Chili
Taco meat
Chives
Sour cream
Butter (REAL butter not margarine)

We baked the potatoes until almost done then put them in a roaster.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Maybe you could offer sweet potatoes as well?

Great idea, thanks!

 

[jen0610]

Great idea, thanks!

If you do the sweet potatoes, I only eat them with butter, sugar and cinnimon on them. My one friend likes hers that way, but also adds in the mini marshmellows. That's a couple more toppings to think about.

 

[tcufrog]

Shredded bbq beef or pulled pork