With its ease of preparation, the jacket potato is redefining comfort food for families

From humble potato to comfort food: How South Africans can make the perfect jacket potato.

The jacket potato, a whole potato baked in its skin until the outside is crisp and the inside becomes soft, fluffy and warm, is a popular comfort food in the United Kingdom, and it is slowly gaining favour in kitchens around the world.

Unlike chips or mashed potatoes, this dish celebrates the potato in its simplest form. It is affordable, easy to prepare and can be topped with almost anything, making it a versatile meal for families looking for budget-friendly ideas.

Prepare the potatoes by washing them thoroughly and scrubbing the skin to remove any dirt. Dry them completely using a clean kitchen towel.

Keeping the skin on is important because it helps create the crispy outer layer that makes a jacket potato special.