Skinny Dippers Baked Potato Skins For Dipping Recipes

LOADED POTATO SKIN DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the bacon in a medium skillet set over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Add the garlic and 2/3 cup of the oil to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and slice the potato skins into very thin strips (the thinner you cut the strips, the crispier they will be). Toss the strips with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring once, until golden and crispy, about 15 minutes.
• Cut the peeled potatoes into 1-inch chunks and put in a saucepan. Cover with cold water by about 2 inches and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly. Pass the potatoes through a ricer into a medium bowl or mash with a potato masher until smooth.
• Pour the oil and garlic mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Add the potatoes, vinegar, 1/3 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and pulse until just creamy and combined; do not overprocess or the potatoes will become gluey. Add up to 3 tablespoons more water if necessary so that the dip is soft and spreadable. Season with additional salt and pepper.
• Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and top with the sour cream. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the dip. Top with the Cheddar, crispy potato skins and scallions. Serve warm or at room temperature with potato chips, red bell pepper strips and celery sticks.

SKINNY SKINS (BAKED POTATO SKINS)

Steps:

• Wrap potatoes in aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 45 minutes, or until tender.Let potatoes cool. When cool, cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out most of the soft center and place in bowl. Set aside.
• Brush the potato skin halves lightly with olive oil or spray with canola oil and place them flat side down on a baking sheet. Put the skins in the oven at 400 degrees and cook until hot and crunchy, approximately 10-15 minutes. Add cucumber, celery, tomato, mushrooms and 3/4 of the chives to the potatoes. Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss well.
• Pull the potato skins out of the oven. Fill each potato skin with the potato salad mixture. Top each with a dollop of sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, turkey bacon (if using), remaining chives and a grind of black pepper. Serve immediately.

LOADED BAKED POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Prick potatoes several times with a fork and place onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven.
• When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them lengthwise and scoop out flesh to within 1/4 inch of skin. Reserve flesh for another use. Place skins back onto the baking sheet.
• Combine olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl; brush over both sides of skins.
• Return to the oven and bake until very crisp, about 10 minutes, turning skins halfway though.
• Sprinkle skins with Cheddar cheese and bacon. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 2 more minutes.
• Serve topped with sour cream and green onions.