Salt Magazine::Taste the Good Life


			Party Potato Skin Appetizers
	Long russet baking potatoes work best, but whatever you’re saving from the dumpster will work just fine! INGREDIENTS • baking potatoes •shredded cheese (any variety) •real bacon bits (the fake ones don’t work as well) •chopped green onions OR dried chives •sour cream (optional)

	DIRECTIONS 1. Rinse potatoes and wrap each individually in aluminum foil. 2. Bake potatoes at 400 degrees for 1 hour. When preparing for a party, feel free to bake the potatoes a day ahead, so that they have more time to cool. 3. Test a potato by poking with a knife to make sure each is done. Knife should penetrate to other side of potato with ease. Any resistance should send the potatoes back into the oven until done. 4. Cool potatoes for at least 30 minutes (as I said earlier, overnight is best). This is an important step as cutting the potatoes while hot will tear the skins. 5. Once cool to room temperature, unwrap each potato and slowly cut in half, lengthwise, careful not to tear the skin. 6. Carefully scoop out the insides of each potato skin, leaving about π inch of potato around. 7. Set potato fillings aside for another use (i.e. a little milk and sour cream…you’ve got mashed potatoes!) 8. For party size portions, you can cut each potato half lengthwise again to double your servings. 9. Place potato skins (ski-side down) a few inches apart on a cookie sheet. 10. Fill each potato skin generously with shredded cheese, then sprinkle with bacon bits. 11. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes (or until cheese has melted). 12. Remove from oven and immediately top with green onions or chives. 13. Serve up your potato skins while their warm. Sour cream makes a great decorative topping or a great option on the side for your guests. 14. Congratulations on saving those potatoes!