Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes

These overstuffed potatoes are not just tasty, but they are very easy to prepare. I've copied the recipe from Food and Wine, and being a potato lover tried it right away.

I like bacon with this type of potatoes, so I skipped the mushroom, and used bacon instead. They are just wonderful.

And if you have it white pepper works better than black pepper.

I added some fresh green onions to the mixture just because I have seen them served before, and it adds to the taste.

I also sprinkle with some red pepper, which gives it a happier appearance. Enjoy:)


CHEDDAR STUFFED POTATOES

Ingredients:
6 medium baking potatoes (3 3/4 pounds), scrubbed
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded (2 cups)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup snipped chives

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°.

Place the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 1/2 hours or until tender when pierced with a knife. Let stand until cool enough to handle.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the olive oil. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown around the edges and tender, about 4 minutes. Season generously with salt and black pepper and transfer the mushrooms to a large bowl.

Cut off the top fourth of each potato. Scoop the flesh from the tops of the potatoes into the bowl with the sautéed mushrooms; discard the skins. Scoop the flesh from the potatoes into the bowl, leaving a 1/4 inch of shell. Place the potato shells on the baking sheet.

While the potato flesh is still warm, add the remaining 7 tablespoons of butter, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, the sour cream and 3 tablespoons of the snipped chives to the bowl. Using a potato masher, whisk or pastry blender, mash the filling until the potatoes are almost smooth, the cheese is incorporated and the butter has melted. Season the potato filling with salt and black pepper.

Mound the mushroom-and-cheese filling into the empty potato skins and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Bake the stuffed potatoes for 30 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the cheese on top is lightly golden. Sprinkle the potatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon of snipped chives and serve immediately.

The stuffed potatoes can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Makes 6 servings

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