Rub six 8-ounce baking potatoes, well scrubbed, with softened, unsalted butter, sprinkle them with salt, and bake them in a preheated hot oven (400 degrees) for 1 hour, or until they test done when pierced with a skewer.
In a skillet saute 1/4 pound mushrooms, sliced thin, in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter over moderately high heat for 2 minutes, add 1/4 cup medium-dry Sherry, 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, salt and pepper to taste, and cook the mixture, until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Add 1/2 pound baked ham, chopped, and cook the mixture, tossing it, for 2 minutes.
Cut a 1/2-inch slice from the top of each potato, scoop out the pulp, and reserve the shells. Puree the pulp through a food mill or ricer into a large bowl (should be about 3 cups). Combine the puree with 3/4 cup scalded half-and-half, 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 2 large egg yolks, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and cayenne, salt and pepper to taste. Fold in 1 cup grated Gruyere and ham mixture and combine the mixture well.
Heap mixture into the reserved potato shells, sprinkle the shells with a mixture of 1/4 cup each of fresh bread crumbs and freshly grated Parmesan. Dot them with butter. Arrange the potatoes in a lightly buttered baking dish and bake them in the upper third of a preheated moderately hot oven (350 degrees) for 15 minutes or until they are puffed and lightly browned.
Tools You May Need
Adapted from The Perfect Potato, by Diane Simone Vezza
Tools You May Need
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