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When one thinks of comfort food, they tend to think of soup, stew and pasta. But for me, I think of a baked potato loaded with sour cream, bacon and scallions. Mmm…  

While baking a potato takes next to no effort, they are quite delicious and can be made with a variety of ingredients. In addition, they can be served as a side dish or a main dish, depending on the ingredients.

Here are just a few ingredients you can add to your baked potatoes.

If you want to overstuff your potato, simply bake one or two extra potatoes to have more filling. Just increase the amount of sour cream, milk and butter to ensure smoothness.

Ingredients

4 baking potatoes (try Russet or Idaho)
½ cup sour cream
½ cup milk
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. bacon bits
½ c. scallions, chopped
1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Under running water, scrub the potatoes clean. Poke each potato several times with a fork to help release pressure build-up during cooking.

Rub each potato with a small amount of oil. Place on the center rack of the oven and bake at 400 degrees for about 1 hour or until cooked through. Alternately, you can bake them in a microwave on high for 10-20 minutes. Check your microwave instruction booklet for recommended time.

Once baked, allow them to cool enough to handle. Slice the top off of each potato and scoop out the insides, forming a boat.

Place the potato filling into a bowl. Add the milk, butter and sour cream.  Using a hand mixer, mix until smooth. If you prefer a slightly chunky potato, use a hand-held potato master instead. Salt and pepper to taste.

Here you have two options:

1. If all of your potatoes will have the same ingredients, you can add the bacon bits, scallions and cheddar cheese into the mashed potatoes now. Mix well.

2. If your potatoes will have different ‘toppings’, then you will add those later.

Divide the potato filling into 4 parts and return to the skin “boats”.  Top with bacon bits, scallions and cheese if not already included.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake 15-20 minute or until heated through.