BAKED POTATO SKINS RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prick each potato with a fork 3-4 times all over, then place on a sheet tray. Roast for 55 – 70 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pressed. Remove the potatoes from the oven and lower the temperature to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, working in two batches, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy, 6-8 minutes. Let the cooked bacon drain on a paper towel lined plate. Once cool, crumble or chop into small pieces. Place the melted butter, cream cheese, warm milk, and sour cream in a large bowl. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise, and scrape the flesh out of the skins and into the bowl. Tear or chop up three of the potato skins and add them to the bowl. Mash everything together with a potato masher. Fold in ½ of the bacon, ½ of the cheddar cheese, parmesan, and ½ of the chives. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish with butter. Transfer the potato mixture to the baking dish. Cover and bake for 35 minutes until the edges are bubbly. Top with the remaining bacon and cheese. Bake for 15-20 more minutes until warmed through and lightly golden on top. Let rest 10 minutes, then top with the remaining chives and serve. 

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the potatoes on a roasting tray and bake for 45 minutes. When done, the tip of a paring knife should go through the potatoes easily.
• Slice the bacon into lardons (thin strips) and cook in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
• Add the flour to the drippings in the pot and stir to combine. Cook, without adding color, until the flour and fat has combined, about 1 minute. Pour in the milk while you whisk to incorporate. Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes.
• Scoop out the potato pulp from the skins and add to the milk mixture. Mash with the back of a wooden spoon leaving it a little bit chunky.
• Add the cooked bacon (leaving a little out for garnishing the soup), 1 cup of the cheese, and season well with salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese has melted. Remove from the heat.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with sour cream (from a squeeze bottle), sprinkle with remaining bacon bits, grated cheese and chives.