Ingredients
4 slices center-cut bacon (turkey bacon can be substituted)
24 Red Bliss potatoes, washed and dried
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1/4 cup milk
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chives, snipped
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. In a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Cool and then chop. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with EVOO, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet for 45-60 minutes until they are cooked through; you may have to rotate the pan so they brown evenly. Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle, cut a thin lid from the top of each potato. Using a small teaspoon or melon baller, scoop out the inside of the potato, leaving a half-inch border from the edge. Remove all the potato "guts" and lids to a medium size mixing bowl. To the bowl, add the milk, butter, sour cream, cheese, reserved bacon, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix to combine.
Divide the filling among all the hollowed-out potatoes. Using the same cookie sheet you roasted them on, bake the potatoes in the oven until the tops are golden brown. Remove and garnish with chives.
