PIONEER WOMAN POTATOES RECIPES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and rinse off. Cut them in half or quarters into about the same size and place in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook until just done. Drain potatoes into a colander. Shake off the excess water from potatoes and return them to the saucepan you cooked them and place back on the burner. Turn the heat on low and mash potatoes.
• Turn the heat off and slice in the softened butter and cream cheese. Next add the half and half-start with 1/2 cup, then add more if needed, seasoned salt and pepper. Mash everything together. Add more half and half and seasoning if needed. PW says try not to oversalt but definitely don't undersalt!
• Spread mashed potatoes into a greased baking dish. If you like, slice 1/4 cup butter into pats and place on top of the poatatoes. (Pioneer Woman says you can never have enough butter.). Cover the dish.
• At this point you can bake it in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate a day or two. If refrigerated, remove an hour before baking so the center can warm up and then bake as directed. PW says to bake it covered but she has baked it uncovered with no problems.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prick each potato with a fork, 3-4 times. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until tender when pressed. Let rest until cool enough to handle. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add the bacon and sour cream. With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the flesh of the potato and add it to the the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the skin. (Leave a thin layer of potato intact all over the skin so that the filling has some support). Place the potato skins on a baking sheet. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add 1 cup of cheese, milk, seasoned salt, ¾’s of the green onions and black pepper. Mix well to combine.  Fill the potato shells evenly with the mashed potato mixture. Divide the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over top of each potato piece. Bake the potatoes once again until golden brown on top and heated through, about 20 minutes. Top evenly with the remaining scallions and a little more black pepper before serving.