Cuisine: Italian

Baked Spaghetti

The concept of baking pasta with sauce, meats, and cheese has deep roots in the Campania and Sicily regions of Southern Italy. Historically, aristocratic and peasant households baked grand pasta dishes for festive occasions like Sundays and Easter. These early versions were often made with tubular pasta, hard-boiled eggs, meatballs, and regional cheeses layered together.

When Italian immigrants arrived in North America, they adapted these celebratory, labor-intensive dishes into a more accessible, convenient, and hearty weeknight casserole using spaghetti. The dish was highly economical, making it perfect for feeding large families and feeding crowds at community potlucks.

Today, baked spaghetti is recognized as a classic comfort food fusion. While traditional Italian versions use ridged shapes like rigatoni or ziti, the North American approach generally focuses on tossing cooked spaghetti with a rich meat or marinara sauce, mixing it with ricotta or cottage cheese, and baking it with a generous layer of melted mozzarella on top.

I have always preferred ‘baked’ spaghetti over just boiling it and adding the meat sauce. My favorite recipe is one I developed using a ‘secret’ ingredient, Classico fire roasted tomato pizza sauce. The recipe is basic and easy to prepare but has a wonderful flavor. Add some garlic bread and you have a winner every time!

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 Baked Spaghetti
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword baked spaghetti
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword baked spaghetti
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Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti & cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain & set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  3. Sauté ground meat, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, garlic & herbs & spices in a large skillet over medium heat until meat is browned, about 10 minutes; drain. Microwave broccoli florets until tender, crisp if using & add to meat mixture.
  4. Combine soup, water & pizza sauce in the pot you cooked spaghetti in. Stir in meat mixture & spaghetti; combine well.
  5. Spread mixture into a 11" x 7.5" x 2.5" baking dish (or baking dish of choice) & top with cheese.
  6. Bake until bubbly & cheese is lightly browned, 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven & serve.

Boursin Turkey Lasagna

Lasagna is not so much a recipe as a reflection of human taste, in all its many varieties. It has travelled the globe, evolving, and acquiring innumerable iterations. Its journey through different cultures and cuisines has influenced its preparation and ingredients, resulting in a diverse array of regional variations. From the classic Italian lasagna to the North American-style lasagna with its thick layers of cheese, each version tells a unique story of culinary heritage.

Lasagna is a culinary canvas that invites creativity. From experimenting with different pasta types and fillings to creating innovative sauces and cheese combinations, the possibilities are limitless.

Lasagna holds a special place in the hearts of many people as a comforting and nostalgic dish. Its rich flavors and warm, inviting aroma evoke memories of family gatherings, celebrations, and cozy evenings spent at home.

This Boursin turkey lasagna ticks all the boxes when it comes to a friends or family meal. Perfect for the holiday season get togethers.

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 Boursin Turkey Lasagna
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Boursin chicken lasagna
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Boursin chicken lasagna
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Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté leeks in olive oil. Add the mushrooms & red pepper flakes; cook until mushrooms are softened, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle in flour to coat the vegetables & cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the milk, chicken stock, & lemon juice; stir until smooth. Bring to a simmer, cook until sauce is thickened, about 5-8 minutes. Whisk the Boursin cheese in until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the dry, chopped Swiss chard.
  4. Spread a thin layer of sauce, about ½cup, on the bottom of a grease baking dish. Reserve ⅓ of the sauce for the top. Arrange 1/3 of the lasagna sheets over the sauce. Then top with sauce. Scatter 2 cups chicken, ½ the Monterey Jack cheese & 1/4 of the Parmesan.
  5. Repeat the next layer with another 1/3 lasagna sheets, sauce, remaining chicken, remaining Monterey Jack cheese, & 1/4 of the Parmesan. Top with remaining lasagna sheets, reserved sauce, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Bake uncovered, until brown and bubbly, 30-35 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  6. Bake uncovered, until brown and bubbly, 30-35 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Pepper Boursin, Bacon & Broccoli Gnocchi

Cracked black pepper Boursin, bacon and broccoli gnocchi is a match made in heaven because it balances rich, creamy cheese and smoky bacon with earthy broccoli and sharp black pepper. Each ingredient adds something special to this ‘comfort food’ meal.

  • Crispy bacon provides a savory crunch that cuts through heavy cream.
  • Roasted or charred broccoli adds a slight bitterness and firmness that contrasts with soft potato dumplings.
  • Sharp cracked black pepper warms up the rich dairy and lifts the overall flavor profile.
  • Pillowy potato dumplings feature microscopic ridges or pockets that catch the coarse flakes of black pepper and thick cream, ensuring a balanced bite every single time.

Boursin cheese is highly popular for making gnocchi because it acts as an instant, all-in-one gourmet cream sauce. Instead of spending time building a separate roux, béchamel, or heavy cream reduction, you can simply melt a block of Boursin into the hot pan or baking dish to achieve a luxurious, velvety texture.

This specific skillet and tray-bake style gnocchi became a ‘go to’ meal around late 2023 and mid-2024 as a quick 30-minute weeknight dinner trend.

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 Pepper Boursin, Bacon & Broccoli Gnocchi
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Cracked black pepper Boursin, bacon & broccoli gnocchi
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Cracked black pepper Boursin, bacon & broccoli gnocchi
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Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Add the broccoli to a small baking tray & toss with 1 tbsp olive oil & 1/4 tsp salt & pepper. Roast in the oven for ABOUT 15-18 minutes, or until LIGHTLY charred & fork tender.
  3. Add the bacon to a large pan over medium heat & fry until crispy. Remove the bacon & place to one side, leaving the excess drippings in the pan. Add the shallots & mushrooms. Fry until mushrooms have released their moisture & shallots are tender-crisp.
  4. Pour in the broth then stir in the Boursin until it melts. Stir in the cream & parmesan, then gently simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
  5. During this time bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi & cook for 1 minute, then use a slotted spoon to transfer it into the sauce. Stir to coat the gnocchi in the sauce, then stir in the bacon & broccoli. Turn the heat to low; gently stir for another minute or so until the sauce re-thickens. If it over-thickens at any point just stir in a splash of the leftover gnocchi water.
  6. Check for seasoning & adjust if needed, then serve with fresh parsley if you desire.

Creamy Mushroom Orzo

Creamy mushroom orzo delivers the rich, comforting texture of a traditional risotto in a fraction of the time. Traditional risotto requires constant stirring and slow liquid addition. Because orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta, it absorbs broth and releases starch quickly. It produces a luxurious, velvety texture in just 20 to 30 minutes without the laborious stovetop maintenance.

Mushrooms naturally contain glutamate, which provides a satisfying savory taste. When sautéed with ingredients like butter, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, they create an incredibly deep, complex flavor profile.

The dish acts as an excellent standalone meatless main course or a luxurious side dish. Creamy mushroom orzo pairs best with proteins that complement it’s rich, earthy flavor without overpowering it. Top or mix in pan-seared chicken, seared scallops, garlic butter shrimp, or sliced steak.

Pork chops and creamy mushroom orzo are a match made in culinary heaven because they offer the perfect balance of lean, savory meat with a rich, earthy, and comforting starch. Searing the pork creates flavorful, caramelized food in the pan, which the orzo and cream sauce then absorb, tying the entire meal together.

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 Creamy Mushroom Orzo
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Course side dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword creamy mushroom orzo
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Course side dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword creamy mushroom orzo
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Instructions
  1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion & garlic, stirring gently. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent & fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add mushrooms, sautéing them for an additional 4-5 minutes or until they soften & release their moisture. Stir in the orzo pasta along with the vegetable broth. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat & allow to simmer for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender & has absorbed most of the broth.
  3. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the heavy cream & parmesan cheese. Mix everything together until well combined. Season the orzo with salt & pepper to taste.
  4. Serve it hot garnished with fresh parsley for color. This is a great accompaniment to creamed pork chops featured on the blog.

Pork Roasted Tuscan Style

Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of cucina povera or ‘poor cooking.’ A concept that started very literally. It’s about meals traditionally hearty and made with simple ingredients that are inexpensive and could easily be made in large amounts – with bread, beans and roasted meats serving as the base of most traditional Tuscan meals. Today it remains largely the same – but by choice instead of economy.

Tuscan cooking doesn’t use complicated seasonings or elaborate creations because they’re not needed. Instead, it’s made using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring out the natural flavors in each dish, simple or not.

In Italy there is only regional Italian food. Each region offers delicious and unique dishes based on its long history and location. Tuscany’s world-renowned food is no exception! Famous for its local produce and meat and its simplicity and seasonal foods.

Today’s recipe features an easy technique for pork roasted inside a baguette with wonderful fresh herbs and of course garlic and olive oil.

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 Pork Roasted Tuscan Style
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Keyword pork roasted Tuscan style
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword pork roasted Tuscan style
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Instructions
  1. On a work surface, mince the sage, rosemary. In a small dish combine with thyme leaves, crushed fennel, pepper, garlic, salt. Add Dijon mustard to mixture .
  2. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Cook the pork, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Slather the entire pork with the Dijon mustard mixture.
  3. Cut the baguette in half the long way & minimally scoop out the soft insides. Brush the inside of the baguette with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Place the pork on the inside of the baguette so that the pork is completely enclosed. Tie the baguette, at 1-to 2-inch intervals, with kitchen string.
  4. Preheat an oven to 375 F. Place the pork on a baking sheet roast until done, 148 F. on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, 25 to 30 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven, let rest 10 minutes. Remove the strings & cut into slices. Serve.
Recipe Notes

Try to get a baguette (or French loaf) that is fairly round and not too flat in the middle because the bread has to ‘hug’ the pork as much as possible. Also try to scoop out as little bread as possible since that was the best part.
I made a thin pork gravy to serve with this meal. It made it real tasty!

Corn Gnocchi w/ Pork, Zucchini & Mushrooms

The other day when Brion & I had time to do a walk-about through Winners, we noticed some ‘corn’ potato gnocchi. Being gnocchi lovers we decided to give it a try. Of course, you might know I would inevitably have to research the company before making it just for interest’s sake…..

The corn potato gnocchi from Siena Artie are crafted using rehydrated potatoes (70%), corn flour, potato starch, corn starch, rice flour, salt, and acidity regulators.

The inclusion of corn flour and starch instead of wheat is designed to provide a gluten-free alternative that retains the traditional texture and flavor of Italian potato gnocchi. These gnocchi are produced in Italy, emphasizing a ‘traditional Italian recipe’. 

The corn potato gnocchi produced by Siena Artie is a modern commercial adaptation of a traditional Italian staple that traces its roots back centuries. While Siena Artie specifically markets these products as being made from old Italian family recipes, the use of corn and potato reflects the broader history of the dish. 

Gnocchi originated in Roman times, originally made from a semolina porridge-like dough mixed with eggs. Potatoes were introduced to Italy in the 16th century but only became the ‘star’ ingredient in gnocchi in the late 19th century. This shift occurred largely because potatoes grew more easily in the cooler climates of Northern Italy than traditional grains.

The inclusion of corn (maize) or corn meal in gnocchi is a regional variation found throughout the Italian peninsula. Like potatoes, corn became a vital substitute when wheat was scarce or too expensive for small landowners. 

Siena Artie’s recipes often use approximately 70% rehydrated potatoes, adhering to the 19th-century standard where mashed potatoes became the foundation of the dough.

By offering variations like whole wheat or corn-based gnocchi, the company mirrors the historical ‘cucina povera’ (poor cuisine) tradition of using whatever local starch—such as chestnut flour, breadcrumbs, or corn—was available.

While traditional gnocchi were hand-rolled—a time-consuming process often saved for Sundays or special occasions—Siena Artie provides a shelf-stable or vacuum-sealed version that maintains the classic ribbed texture designed to hold sauce. 

I crafted a recipe using a pork/beef combo along with some of our favorite veggies to go with the corn/potato gnocchi. This is what developed.

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 Corn Gnocchi w/ Pork, Zucchini & Mushrooms
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword corn gnocchi w/ pork, zucchini & mushrooms
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword corn gnocchi w/ pork, zucchini & mushrooms
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Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add gnocchi in a single layer & cook on one side for 2-3 minutes until browned & toasted. Shake the pan to toss the gnocchi & continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until both sides are toasted. Remove gnocchi to a plate & set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  3. Turn the heat to high & return skillet to stove. When the pan is hot, add the pork/beef combo & season with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika & mustard powder. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the meat starts to turn brown. Add the leeks, mushrooms, zucchini, corn & garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is cooked & veggies are tender-crisp. Drain if necessary.
  4. Add the tomatoes, broth, gorgonzola cheese & gnocchi back into the skillet. Stir to combine. Pour mixture into an 11 x 7-inch casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
  5. Cover with foil & bake for 20 minutes then remove foil & continue to bake another 10 minutes or until bubbling. Remove from oven & top with sliced green onions. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes then serve with some crusty bread.

Stuffed Gnocchi Bolognese

With origins dating back to ancient times, gnocchi hold a prominent place in Italian culinary history, where it has been passed down through generations as a cherished comfort food. Today, it continues to be an essential part of Italian cuisine, adopting different names depending on the origin.

Gnocchi (pronounced no-kee) are soft dumplings that may be made from wheat flour, rice, semolina, ricotta cheese, potatoes, or breadcrumbs.  Gnocchi are made throughout Italy, but the stuffed version is made mainly in the Piedmont region. The key to making delicate potato gnocchi is to add as little flour as possible but enough to keep the dough together. The filling should have a robust flavor so that it stands out from the potato dough. 

For our stuffed gnocchi today, I’m making an Asiago/ricotta filling served in a meaty Bolognese sauce. Yum!

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 Stuffed Gnocchi Bolognese
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Course Main Dish
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Keyword stuffed gnocchi Bolognese
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Stuffed Gnocchi
Bolognese Sauce
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword stuffed gnocchi Bolognese
Servings
Ingredients
Stuffed Gnocchi
Bolognese Sauce
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Instructions
Stuffed Gnocchi
  1. Boil the whole potatoes with their skins until you can easily pierce them all the way through (about 20-25 minutes, depending on the dimension of the potatoes), then wash them with cold water & remove the skin when they are still warm.
  2. Mash the potatoes while they are still warm & make sure there are no chunks; add a pinch of salt and ¾ of the flour. Mix well with your hands until a nice soft dough forms (but not sticky); if necessary, add some more flour. When the dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest & cool for about 10-15 minutes. In a small dish, combine finely grated Asiago with ricotta cheese.
  3. Cut the dough into 3 or 4 parts, take 1 part and cover the rest with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry. Dust the cutting board with flour & roll the dough with your palm to make a long thick cord about 2 cm in diameter, then cut chunks 2 cm long.
  4. Roll each cube between your palms to make balls then press them on your palm to make a disc. With a teaspoon, place a small amount of cheese in the center of the disc and close it on itself (make sure to cover the cheese well and close all the holes), roll it again between your palm to make the ball smooth & set it aside on a clean cloth.
  5. Bring to boil a large pot of salted water then slowly drop the gnocchi in & cook until they float on the surface. Drain, reserving 1 cup of starchy water. In a pan melt the butter and carefully add the drained gnocchi to sauté a little bit. Remove from pan, place in a dish until Bolognese sauce is ready.
Bolognese
  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced celery, carrot & onion. Cook until veggies are soft tender. Add ground beef & let cook, breaking it apart until fully browned. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in garlic & cook until fragrant.
  2. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water or stock, bay leaves & crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer & cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves.
  3. Add cooked gnocchi to Bolognese sauce & stream in reserved gnocchi water as needed if the mixture is too thick. Cook for an additional minute or so, taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
  4. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

Smoked Turkey w/ Guacamole & Monterey Jack Cheese Panini

In the fall of 2005, Brion & I spent a month in Rome where we rented a furnished apartment in a lovely hilltop neighborhood. This was our first trip to Italy so every morning we would choose a different destination for the day. It was relatively easy to get around the city by using the public transit system (Rome Termini is the city’s main transport hub). We paid 18 Euros for a 7-day pass, and you could use it as many times as you wished. To rent a car to see the sights of Rome would be an exercise in frustration or to say the least, taking your life in your hands. So many of its legendary sites are the original article that to see them is to fulfil a lifelong dream. In no other city can you see so much in such a short space of time and merely scratch the surface.

It was at that huge ‘Rome Termini’ station that we experienced our first panini sandwiches. Very often when we returned to the station after our day’s adventure, Brion & I would stop into one of the eating places and have something to eat. One day the person making our lunch asked if we wanted our sandwiches ‘grilled’. We were familiar with the basic grilled cheese sandwich but had never had them made as a grilled panini before. The taste was so incredibly good. Strange, how something as minor as a sandwich can be so memorable.

Paninis and their presses arrived in North America around 1956 but didn’t become mainstream until the 1970s and 1980s. Elevating the standard grilled cheese sandwich, paninis have become vessels for culinary creativity. It would be easy to assume a panini and a sandwich are the same—a panini is a sandwich—but not all sandwiches are paninis. So, what makes the panini stand out from the sandwich? Bread and pressing them in a hot grill give paninis their signature presentation and amazing taste. You can serve paninis for breakfast or lunch with limitless combinations for the perfect filling.  

One that really works for Brion & I, is this smoked turkey with guacamole & Monterey Jack cheese. I guess its because it combines contrasting textures and savory flavors … smoky, creamy and crunchy into a warm, satisfying meal.

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 Smoked Turkey w/ Guacamole & Monterey Jack CheesePanini
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Course Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword smoked turkey & guacamole & Monterey Jack cheese paninis
Servings
PANINIS
Ingredients
Guacamole
Other Ingredients
Course Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword smoked turkey & guacamole & Monterey Jack cheese paninis
Servings
PANINIS
Ingredients
Guacamole
Other Ingredients
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Instructions
Guacamole
  1. In a bowl, mash avocados & lime juice. Stir in garlic, onion & cilantro: blend well. Ser aside.
Paninis
  1. Slice red onion thinly. In a saucepan, add butter & heat to melt. Add onion & sprinkle with salt. Cook until onion has softened. Remove from heat & set aside.
  2. Slice cheese & butter one side of each slice of bread.
  3. With buttered sides down, Generously spread guacamole over the 4 slices of bread. Divide the turkey slices between 2 of the slices. Next, divide the cheese & place it on the turkey along with the red onion. Place the 2 remaining slices on top with the buttered side on the outside.
  4. Grill on panini maker until heated through & crispy on the outside. Serve.
Recipe Notes

If a panini grill is not available just use an ordinary skillet to get the job done!

Pork, Apple & Cheddar Baked Frittata

There’s nothing earth shattering or insanely unique about a frittata. It’s not trendy or cool but if you master the art of this versatile throw together dish it can help make your life a whole lot easier. That’s because there is virtually no time of day that this eggy filled, no-advance-planning-necessary, favorite doesn’t work.

Frittatas are great because they’re a little less fussy than omelets – no delicate folding required. Unlike its cousin, the strata (which typically includes layers of bread and gets all puffed up like a soufflé), a frittata is rustic, hearty and simple to prepare. A good comparison would be a crustless quiche, with the inclusion of potatoes to make it extra satisfying.

When we eat it for breakfast, we call it a baked omelet, when we eat it for dinner, we call it frittata. But either way, it’s perfect in the way that you can vary the vegetables and meat in this dish to use up whatever you have on hand.

The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the ground pork and bacon in this frittata.

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 Pork, Apple & Cheddar Baked Frittata
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Course Brunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword pork, apple & cheddar baked frittata
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Course Brunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword pork, apple & cheddar baked frittata
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Instructions
  1. Cook potatoes & dice; set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, fry bacon until slightly crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels & set aside, reserving one Tbsp. of the bacon drippings.
  3. Add onion to skillet with bacon drippings. Sauté until tender then add ground pork & Italian seasoning. Cook until pork is no longer pink & most of the moisture has evaporated. Add grated apple, bacon and salt & pepper to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 375 F.
  5. Spray a 9 x 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the bottom of the dish with the cooked, diced potatoes.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs & add sautéed mixture along with half of the cheese. Pour the mixture into the baking dish & sprinkle evenly with the rest of the cheese.
  7. Place the baking dish in the oven & bake until the eggs are golden & puffy & a fork comes out clean when inserted into the center, about 25-30 minutes.
  8. Let frittata cool for 5-10 minutes & then cut into squares. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Scalloped Potato & Beef Lasagna

There are countless variations of lasagna across Italy and beyond. Entire cookbooks have been dedicated to this beloved dish, showcasing its multifarious nature.

 Potato slices absorb sauce and moisture so using them in place of lasagna noodles is a creative twist that can yield a delicious and hearty dish.  Along with potato slices there are a variety of alternatives to traditional lasagna noodles that you can use in your recipes. From zucchini strips and eggplant slices to portobello mushrooms and butternut squash, these alternatives offer flavorful and healthy ways to enjoy the classic Italian staple.

This beef potato lasagna combines layers of tender potato slices with creamy cheese and ground beef. Nothing but pure comfort food!

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 Scalloped Potato & Beef Lasagna
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Cuisine Italian
Keyword beef potato lasagna
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Cuisine Italian
Keyword beef potato lasagna
Servings
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Rating: 5
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Set aside.
  2. Microwave washed potatoes (with skins) for a few minutes to partially cook. Slice in 1/8 -inch slices & place half of them in a layer on bottom of baking dish.
  3. In a saucepan, sauté onions & garlic in oil until soft then add beef, salt, pepper & Italian seasoning. Add a layer of the meat mixture over the layer of potatoes.
  4. In a small saucepan, melt butter then add flour. Cook for a few minutes until bubbly then add 2/3 cup milk & 23 gm parmesan cheese. With a wire whisk combine into a smooth sauce.
  5. Spoon half of the butter/cheese mixture over the ground beef. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
  6. Repeat with remaining ingredients, layering in the same sequence. If using the cream, pour over all.
  7. Bake for 1 hour, covered with aluminum foil. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes. Test to be sure the potatoes are soft.
  8. Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes then sprinkle with chives.