Twice Baked Potatoes

I am not the biggest fan of plain old baked potatoes, but for some reason I love, Love, LOVE if they are twice baked! They really are not difficult to prepare and are super tasty. You can add whatever garnishes you wish- just keep those little green chives to yourself. I prefer my plates chive free!

Start these off by baking some generously washed and forked potatoes in your microwave or oven.

While the potatoes are cooking, grab yourself some of your favorite variety of bacon and fry it up.

We will use this to top our masterpieces in the very end, and also as a bonus air freshener while they are frying. Bacon on the stove always beckons even my laziest dog to get up off her ever-so-warm-and-comfy spot on the sofa to offer her test testing assistance in the kitchen. Too bad that never really works out in her favor.

Once the potatoes are tender, cut off the tops and spoon out their innards for us to work our magic on.

They look kind of sad all empty, but once they are done they will be over flowing with potato innards of flavorness.

YUM.

Bake them once more with some cheese and bacon toppings and voila! Spud heaven!

Twice Baked Potato Recipe
by: MamaHoots... Food is Love

4 Russet Potatoes
Olive oil
Salt (1/2 teaspoon for inside, plus extra for seasoning skins)
Garlic Powder (1 Tablespoon for inside, plus extra for seasoning skins)
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 stick Butter
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (plus extra for garnish)
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Wash potatoes thoroughly and prick with fork. Drizzle the outer skins with olive oil and season with some garlic powder and salt. Either bake the potatoes in an oven at 350 for 1 hour OR heat in microwave for about 10 minutes until soft. Slice a section lengthwise off the top of each potato and spoon out the inside into a mixing bowl. Be sure to leave enough around the edges to help the potato shells keep their shape. Add sour cream, milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 Tablespoon garlic powder and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the mixing bowl. Mash potatoes until fluffy and all ingredients are blended throughout. Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins and place the filled potatoes on a baking sheet. Top the potatoes with cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.