- 9 medium russet potatoes
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (if potatoes are too thick)
- 1 jar bacon bits, or a half pound of bacon, fried and cut into bits, or cut into bits and fried
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- canola oil to fry in
- sour cream, if desired
- 3 green onions, sliced
Preheat oven
to 350° Fahrenheit. Scrub and pierce potatoes several times with a sharp knife. Bake potatoes at 350° for about an hour, or until potatoes give when squeezed gently with an oven-mitted hand.
When
potatoes are done, cut in half and carefully scoop out insides, leaving
about a 1/4-inch layer of potato inside. Set skins aside.
For the Twice Baked Potatoes in a Dish:
Place
potato insides in a large bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer. Mix
briefly to break potatoes down a little. Add cream cheese, sour cream,
butter, chopped garlic, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon or
so of pepper. Beat until thoroughly mixed, but don't mix to the point of
gumminess. If the mixture seems really thick, add up to 1/2 cup milk to
smooth it out to the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread potato mixture into the prepared pan.
Cover with
foil and bake for 40 minutes at 325°.
Immediately
after
removing from oven, cover the top with 1 cup of cheese. Then sprinkle
with about 2/3 of the bacon. Allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes
before serving. The heat from the potatoes will melt the
cheese perfectly.
Makes about 9-10 servings.
For the Potato Skins:
After scooping out potato insides, you should have 18 half skins. Cut each of those in half, so you have quarter skins.
Heat about 2 inches of canola oil in a pan (about 325°).
Fry potato skins in batches, careful not to crowd the pan. Once skins
are a deep golden brown, remove to a paper towel-lined cooking rack to
drain.
Place fried skins, open side up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle each with cheese and a little bacon. Place in 325° oven for about 5- 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and green onions, if desired.
Makes about 9 servings.
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