Ashleys Favorite Potato Skins Recipes

SERIOUS POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rub the potatoes lightly with olive oil and bake them on a foil-lined baking sheet until their skins are crisp and a fork easily slides into their flesh, about 1 hour. Transfer the potatoes to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, assemble the toppings. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then transfer to a small bowl. Reserve the bacon fat. Grate the cheese into a small bowl; you should have about 2 cups. Trim and thinly slice the scallions. (Feeling frisky? Caramelize some onions. Shred some ham or grate some Gruyère.)
• Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to handle the hot potatoes, cut each into quarters lengthwise to create four wedges. Using a small spoon, scoop the flesh from each wedge, leaving 1/4 inch or more of the flesh. (Save the scooped potatoes for another use, like potato pancakes or soup.)
• Set the oven to broil. Return the wedges to the foil-lined baking sheet. Paint a bit of bacon fat on each, then top with cheese and bacon. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling. Place the skins on a serving plate. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon a teaspoon or so of sour cream on each and scatter the scallions over the plate. Serve with hot sauce.

POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Lightly grease outside of potatoes, cut small slit in top and bake at 425 degrees F for 45 minute or until soft. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out cooked potato, leaving a very thin layer of potato. (Save cooked potato for mashed potatoes or hash browns.)
• Brush outside and inside of skins with melted butter. Sprinkle inside with steak seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
• Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until crisp and bubbly.
• Fill with cheddar cheese and bacon. Bake 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of chives.
• Variation: Twice Baked Potato Fingers Bake 3 large (about 5-inch) potatoes for 1 hour; cool. Cut in half lengthwise, and then lengthwise in half again, making 12 long fingers. Scoop out and proceed as above.

SUZY'S POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pierce potatoes deeply with a fork and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
• Increase the heat of the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• When the potatoes are cool enough to handle cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out nearly all of the potato (reserve rest of potato for a later use of your choice). Salt and pepper the potato skins to taste. Sprinkle green onions, tomatoes, chilis and cheese into the potato skin. Arrange potato skins on a baking sheet.
• Bake 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted. You may want to cut the baked skins in half crosswise before serving for tidy eating. Serve with sour cream on the side, for people to scoop onto their potato skins if they'd like.

POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 415 degrees F (200c/gas mark 6).
• The day (or up to 2 days) before you load them, prick all 10 potatoes, then bake the potatoes until the skins are crisp and the insides floury, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• As soon as you can bear to tackle the hot potatoes, cut them in half lengthwise and scoop the insides into a bowl.
• Put the husk-like skins of the potatoes on a tray and, when cool, cover until you are ready to fill them.
• Let the potato cool in the bowl, and then cover until needed.
• When you are ready to fill the potatoes, preheat the oven to 415 degrees F (200c/ gas mark 6).
• Add 7 ounces (200g) of grated Cheddar to the cold potato along with the sour cream. Finely chop the spring onion and add to the potato, with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and Paprika.
• Spoon the potato filling into the potato skins, and lay each half on a baking tray so they fit snugly together. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese, giving each potato skin a light covering, and cook until golden, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Fry the bacon rashers in the oil, or grill them, until crispy. Remove them to a paper towel lined plate and then crumble.
• Sprinkle each potato skin with the bacon to make them fully loaded.