Princess Diana visits Leicester in a still from PBS’ “In Their Own Words: Princess Diana. – Photo courtesy of PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
TikTok’s jacket potato obsession is proving to be one of fall’s biggest food trends, but the English-style dish is far from niche — in fact, a former chef for the British royal family revealed it boasts a surprising connection to the world’s most beloved princess.
In a video with “Delish,” Princess Diana’s former chef Darren McGrady recounted his 15-year experience working as a chef for the royals — most notably, the comfort dishes he cooked again and again for Princess Di.
“When we say Princess Diana wasn’t into food, she was — but healthy food,” McGrady explained in the video.
To accommodate Princess Diana’s appetite for low-cal meals, McGrady would reimagine staple dinners with a healthy twist; this introduced him to a 1-ingredient hack that transformed the classic jacket potato recipe into a meal that was fit for royalty.
With fall cooking season in full swing, and Charles Spencer’s new Princess Diana memoir releasing today, I’m reminiscing on the healthy potato recipe that earned the princess’s coveted cosign — and the cooking hack that could transform the side dish in your home.
How to make Princess Diana’s favorite comfort food for fall
The secret to Princess Diana’s jacket potatoes? Egg whites (yes, really).
“For her roast potatoes, [I’d] take some potatoes, toss them in egg whites, and also a little paprika — and dry-bake them, [so] no fat in there whatsoever,” he said in the “Delish” video.
While McGrady hasn’t ever revealed his step-by-step guide for how to make jacket potatoes, his hack has given me some cooking inspiration that’s easy enough to apply to my own recipe. See the full step-by-step process below:
Jacket potatoes recipe to try at home. – Photo courtesy of clubfoto from Getty Images Signature
Directions:
Place a sheet pan at the center of your oven rack; preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prep a couple Yukon gold potatoes, cleaning them thoroughly and then halving each one.
In a mixing bowl, add your egg whites; whisk thoroughly until the mixture is frothy and fluffy.
Toss your potatoes into the egg white mixture, mixing until each is fully coated; season with paprika (amount is of personal preference).
Remove the sheet pan from the oven and disperse the coated potatoes across it evenly. Cook for 28-35 minutes.
Once the princess-approved potatoes are crispy and golden, remove from the oven and serve them accordingly!
For extra flavor: Former royal butler Paul Burrell revealed in his book “A Royal Duty” that among the meals he most often served to Princess Diana included potatoes with a caviar garnish — royal, indeed!
“Dinner would be grilled trout or a pasta dish; or a plain [baked] potato with a scoop of caviar, served with a vinaigrette dressing,” he wrote.
For a more indulgent touch, try Princess Diana’s food hack and add a scoop of caviar on top of your jacket potatoes.
Best dinner ideas to serve with jacket potatoes
To make a meal of your jacket potatoes, consider pairing your recipe with other savory additions — like a chili soup, pulled pork sandwich, or steak.
Dining and Cooking