Sunny's Twice Baked Potatoes
- 4 (8-ounce) russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, grated on a rasp
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 5 ounces Manchego cheese, grated, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 3 strips cooked bacon, crumbled for garnish, optional
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prick each potato all over several times with a fork.
- Rub the oil on the potatoes and sprinkle the skin with salt and pepper.
- Place the prepared potatoes on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are fork tender, about 45 minutes.
- Allow to cool on the countertop before you handle.
- Lower the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the scallions, garlic, onion powder, dry mustard, 4 ounces cheese, cream cheese and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Slice a 1/4-inch "lid" off of each potato lengthwise.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the insides and leave about a 1/8-inch thick rim around the inside of the potato halves to keep them sturdy.
- To make things easier, slide a butter knife around the edges of the inside before scooping.
- Scrape the little bit of flesh still attached to the "lid" you sliced off and discard the leftover skin.
- Place the hollowed potatoes back on the baking sheet.
- Mash the potato flesh in a small bowl, and then add to the bowl with other ingredients.
- Mash together and slowly stir in the heavy cream.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Scoop this mixture back into the empty potato skins, sprinkle with the remaining 1 ounce cheese evenly over the tops and return the potatoes to the oven to bake until the tops are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove and sprinkle with bacon bits, of using.
- Cook's Note: If you have a small ice cream scoop, use it to scoop the mixed potato flesh back into the hollowed potatoes.
- It's much easier this way.
russet potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, scallions, garlic, onion powder, mustard, manchego cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, bacon
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/sunnys-twice-baked-potatoes-recipe.html (may not work)