Ingredients
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8 baking potatoes
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olive oil
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salt
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6 -8 slices bacon, chopped
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1/4 cup red wine
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1 teaspoon minced garlic
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1 cup butter
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1/2 cup half-and-half (works well with whole milk)
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I recommend Cheddar Barrel New York Aged Reserve)
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1 tablespoon onion powder
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2 tablespoons fresh chives (or 2 tsp dried)
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2 teaspoons dried parsley
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon salt
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paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While warming up rinse the potatoes and vent them with a fork 6-8 times.
- Lightly brush potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes, until outside is getting crispy and inside feels soft.
- Towards the end of the potatoes baking, cook up bacon on medium heat until lightly crispy. I usually cook the bacon first and chop it after it is crispy, then returning it to the pan. Add wine and garlic. Feel free to add pepper to taste. I use the garlic from a jar but fresh works just as well. Leave on very low heat.
- After removing potatoes from the oven, use a knife to cut an oval in the top of the potato, leaving about 1/4 inch on all sides. Scoop out potato and put into large bowl. When you are done you should have 8 potato shells.
- Combine potato and butter. Blend with a mixer on low speed until butter melts.
- Add milk, seasoning, 3/4 cup of the cheese and the bacon mixture. Beat on high speed until smooth. Add more seasoning if necessary to taste.
- Spoon mixture into shells. Use the remaining cheddar cheese to top each potato and sprinkle with paprika.
- Place potatoes on a baking sheet or dish and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until potato is warm and cheese on top is crispy.
- Enjoy!