NOT SO TWICE ‘BAKED’ POTATOES

Feb 8, 2012

smitten ⋅ bacon, gluten free, quick and easy, sides ⋅ bacon, cheese, potato ⋅ 2 comments

•Sometimes there is just nothing better then a potato, but lets go over the top and fill it with all sorts of goodies and top it with cheese and bacon!  I confess that I didn’t bake these potatoes in the oven, much less twice bake them.  There is a “potato button” on the microwave for a reason, right?  Baking them in the oven makes the skins crispy and delicious, but on a busy weeknight a hour for a side dish is a little dramatic.  I’ve included directions for both. 

2 large russet potatoes-scrubbed clean (get those giant ones sold individually)

1/2 cup light sour cream

2 tbls light cream cheese

2 tbls unsalted butter

4 green onions-chopped, both green and white parts

1 tbls parsley-chopped

1 clove garlic-finely minced

4 pieces of bacon-cooked and crumbled

Shredded cheddar, pepper-jack or colby cheese

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1-2 tsp milk-optional, just in case filling needs to be a bit creamier (depends on the size of your potatoes)

 

serves 4-half potato each

prep and cooking time 15 min (micro) 1 hour 10 min (oven)

 

Microwave

Make sure to poke the potatoes several times on all sides with a fork-this allows steam to escape so your spuds won’t explode (lesson for the day).  Place on a microwave safe plate, put in microwave and hit the “potato button” following the prompts for your particular model.  No magic button- start with 10 min and check to see if fork will insert easily.  If not flip over and cook in 5 min intervals checking with the fork each time.  Follow assemble instructions below.

Oven

Set oven to 400° Make sure to poke the potatoes on all sides with a fork.  Place on a baking sheet, spray with some cooking spray or rub with olive oil.  Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper if desired.  Put sheet in oven and bake for 45-60 min, flipping once.  The potatoes are done when you can easily insert a fork.  Follow assemble instructions below.

Assemble

Cut cooked potatoes in half lengthwise.  Using a towel to protect your hand, scoop the potatoes into a bowl leaving a thin layer in the shell for stability.  Add the butter, cream cheese, salt, garlic and pepper and mix until smooth.

    

Add in the sour cream, mix.  Is it a little thick?  Add milk 1 tsp at a time to your liked consistency.  Add in your green onions and parsley, reserving a little for garnish, mix.

    

Spoon the mix back into the potato shells.  Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bacon.  Return to microwave (2 min) or oven (7-10 min) until cheese is melted, garnish with reserved parsley and green onion♥Enjoy

    

•PS- yes all the pics only have 2 halves (1 potato), but don’t worry the recipe is for 2 whole potatoes….sorry for the confusion