Ingredients:
3 medium baking potatoes, baked or microwaved,but baked is better
1/4 cup chopped green onions, tops only or 1/4 cup chives
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup bacon bits or 2 -3 tablespoons packaged bacon bits ( bacon fried crisp and crumbled is best of course)
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream ( light is fine)
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
Tabasco sauce
salt
Directions:
Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise.
Scoop out carefully, leaving potato shells thin and intact- set aside for appetizers, below.
Mash the scooped-out potatoes with a potato masher, adding the butter, sour cream and green onions.
Season well with salt and pepper.
Spray a 9″ glass pie plate with cooking spray and spread baked potato mixture in the plate.
Top with the grated cheddar, and bake 15 minutes at 350.
FOR THE APPETIZERS:.
Brush the insides of the empty potato shells with the melted butter.
Sprinkle each one with a dash of Tabasco and salt.
Cut the potatoes into 1″ strips, and place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes or until crisp.
Servings: 6
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 30 min.