Loaded Potato Skins

Appetizers are great meal starters that don't necessarily have to reflect what the meal is about.  They are fun and tempting but in most restaurants are over priced for what you are getting.  Appetizers range in price from $5 to $12 in restaurants and yet many can easily be made at home for a fraction of that cost.  One of the easiest and least expensive appetizers to make at home is loaded potato skins.

Loaded potato skins are a very popular appetizer in restaurants.  A restaurant serving of loaded potato skins is usually 4 to 6, the equivalent of 2 to 3 about 3 - inch potatoes, sometimes cut into wedges.  The average price is $6.99.  Toppings are usually cheese, bacon, sour cream and garnish.

To make restaurant style loaded potato skins at home:  Shred cheddar and Asiago cheese.   Cut bacon across the strips then fry until crispy for bacon pieces.  Drain well.  Bake the desired number of medium sized potatoes until tender.  Remove from oven.  Cut in half lengthwise.  Carefully scoop out the inside flesh leaving about a quarter inch of flesh on the skin.  Reserve the scooped out flesh for potato soup or a side.  Put a good amount of shredded cheese and bacon into each potato shell.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350ºF until cheese is bubbling.  Remove from oven.  Top with sour cream, fresh chives and/or thinly sliced green onions.