Potato skins:

Preheat oven to 220°C or 200°C fan.

Boil, steam or microwave 1.5kg large desiree potatoes for 10-15 minutes, until just tender. Cool slightly and cut into wedges.

Using a round bladed knife, cut potato from skin, leaving 1cm intact to make a thick shell. Reserve scooped-out potato for skordalia.

Place potato skins, skin side down, on a wire rack over a baking tray. Brush with rice bran oil, season to taste and cook for 25-30 minutes, until brown and crisp.

Serve with crudites and dips.

Cream cheese, pine nut and fetta dip:

Place 250g cream cheese in a food processor and process until smooth. Add ½ cup (80g) lightly toasted pine nuts, 100g fetta, 1 crushed garlic clove, grated rind of 1 lemon, juice of ½ lemon, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and ½ bunch of basil. Process until smooth, season with pepper and serve.


Beetroot and cashew dip:

Drain a 425g can of baby beetroot. Place in a processor with ½ cup (75g) roasted cashews, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon chopped thyme. Process until chunky, season to taste and serve.

Timing guide:

4 hours before dinner-party:
Steam potatoes and prepare skins.
Prepare dips. Cover and refrigerate.

1 hour before:
Bake potato skins.