Cookbook:Potato Skins

Potato skins is a dish made with potato halves, cheese, bacon, green onions, and sour cream.

Ingredients

 * 8 small baking potatoes
 * Vegetable oil
 * Garlic salt
 * 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
 * 12 slices bacon (optional), cooked and crumbled
 * 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided

Procedure

 * 1) Scrub potatoes and rub skins with oil. Prick each potato several times with a fork.
 * 2) Bake potatoes at 400°F for 30–45 minutes or until potatoes are done. Allow potatoes to cool to touch.
 * 3) Cut top third off each potato; discard tops. Carefully scoop out pulp, leaving about ⅛ inch-thick shells. Reserve potato pulp for other uses.
 * 4) Fry potato skins in hot oil (375°F) for 3–4 minutes or until browned. Remove potato skins and drain on paper towels.
 * 5) Place potato skins, cut side up, on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt and cheddar cheese. Broil 6 inches from heat for 30 seconds or until cheese melts.
 * 6) Top potato skins with bacon if using them and 1 tablespoon chives.
 * 7) Press green chiles between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Combine chilies, sour cream and red pepper in a small bowl; stir well. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon chives. Serve with potato skins.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * You don't have to make the chili sour cream—you can just put a spoonful of sour cream right onto of the potato skin.
 * You can also bake these off in the oven to melt the cheese if you don't want to fry them in oil.