This isn’t just your average baked potato. This is a culinary adventure, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling completely satisfied. We’re talking about a fluffy baked potato, loaded with tender steak, succulent shrimp, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, velvety cheese sauce. It’s a dish that’s as impressive to look at as it is to eat, perfect for a special occasion or a satisfying weeknight meal.
Yields: 2 servings Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
For the Baked Potatoes:
- 2 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Broccoli:
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Steak:
- 2 (8oz) sirloin steaks, about 1 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Shrimp:
- ½ pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Chives, chopped
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Large pot
- Steamer basket
- Large skillet
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure your potatoes cook evenly and become perfectly fluffy.
- Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly. Remove any dirt or debris.
- Pierce the potatoes several times with a fork. This will allow steam to escape during baking and prevent them from bursting.
- Rub the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. This will create a flavorful and crispy skin.
- Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack. This allows for even heat circulation and better baking.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until tender. You should be able to easily pierce the center of the potato with a fork.
2. Steaming the Broccoli:
- While the potatoes are baking, prepare the broccoli. Cut the broccoli head into florets of roughly equal size.
- Fill a large pot with about an inch of water and bring to a boil. This will create the steam for cooking the broccoli.
- Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket. Make sure the water level is below the basket.
- Steam the broccoli for 5-7 minutes, or until tender-crisp. You want the broccoli to be bright green and slightly firm to the bite.
- Remove the broccoli from the steamer and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. This will add flavor and prevent the florets from sticking together.
3. Cooking the Steak:
- Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. This will help achieve a good sear.
- Season the steaks generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be shimmering hot.
- Add the steaks to the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side. This will create a beautiful crust and lock in the juices.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 3-5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the steaks are cooked to your liking.
- Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender steak.
4. Sautéing the Shrimp:
- Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about a minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and toss with lemon juice. This adds a bright and zesty flavor.
5. Preparing the Cheese Sauce:
- While the steak and shrimp are cooking, prepare the cheese sauce.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This will create a roux, which is the base of the cheese sauce.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and thick.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, if using. This adds a tangy complexity to the sauce.
6. Assembling the Loaded Potatoes:
- Once the potatoes are baked, carefully remove them from the oven.
- Cut a slit down the center of each potato and fluff the insides with a fork.
- Generously pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes.
- Top with the steamed broccoli, sliced steak, and sautéed shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and chives.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can add a pat of butter and a dollop of sour cream to each potato before adding the toppings.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking. You can add bacon bits, caramelized onions, jalapeños, or any other ingredients you enjoy.
- To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the steak and shrimp and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions.
- You can bake the potatoes ahead of time and reheat them when ready to serve. This is a great time-saving tip for busy weeknights.
- To make the cheese sauce even richer, you can use a combination of different cheeses, such as Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Fontina.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can boil the broccoli in salted water for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
- To make this dish even more decadent, you can drizzle the finished potatoes with truffle oil.
Why This Recipe Works:
This recipe is a winner for several reasons:
- It’s a complete meal in one. With protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, it’s a balanced and satisfying dish.
- It’s incredibly flavorful. The combination of tender steak, succulent shrimp, vibrant broccoli, and rich cheese sauce is a symphony of flavors that will please even the most discerning palate.
- It’s customizable. You can easily adapt the toppings to your liking, making it a versatile dish that you can enjoy again and again.
- It’s impressive. This loaded baked potato is not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it perfect for a special occasion or a celebratory meal.
Enjoy the process of creating this culinary masterpiece! Take your time, savor the aromas, and have fun with it. This loaded baked potato is a celebration of good food and good company, so gather your loved ones and enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal together.
