Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Potato Food

CHEESY BACON HASSELBACK POTATO RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450ºF.
• Cut thin lengthwise slice off bottom of each potato; discard. Place 2 wooden spoons on opposite long sides of 1 potato on cutting board. Cut potato crosswise into 24 thin slices, stopping when knife hits spoons. Repeat with remaining potatoes.
• Microwave on HIGH 12 to 14 min. or until potatoes are almost tender. Place in foil-lined 13x9-inch pan; brush evenly with 3 Tbsp. dressing. Bake 15 min. or until potatoes are tender. Remove from oven. Heat broiler.
• Insert bacon pieces alternately with cheese slices between potato slices. Combine Parmesan and chives; sprinkle over potatoes. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
• Broil, 4 inches from heat, 2 to 3 min. or until topping is lightly browned. Cut in half.

CHEESY HASSELBACK POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil.
• In a small saucepot, bring the butter, oil and garlic to a boil over high heat; remove from the heat.
• Using 2 wooden spoons placed on each side of a potato as a guide, cut the potato into thin slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, without cutting through the bottom (the spoons will keep you from cutting all the way through the potato). Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and brush each potato with some of the butter mixture, trying to get the butter between the slices. Sprinkle each potato with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the potatoes from the oven. The potatoes will have started to spread out from cooking and it will be easier to brush each slice with some more of the butter mixture. Put the potatoes back in the oven for an additional 20 minutes.
• Remove the potatoes from the oven again and sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and into the slices. Return to the oven to melt and brown the cheese, an additional 5 minutes. Serve the potatoes immediately.

HASSELBACK POTATOES STUFFED WITH CHEDDAR AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Stir together butter and oil. Brush bottom of 14 x 11-inch (3 L) roasting pan with some of the butter-oil mixture. Slice thin lengthwise strip off the bottom of one potato; place flat side down on cutting board. Place two wooden spoons on opposite long sides of potato. Cut potato crosswise into 20 thin slices until almost all the way through, stopping when knife hits spoon handles. Repeat with remaining potatoes.
• Arrange potatoes flat side down in roasting pan; brush with butter-oil mixture and season with salt and pepper. Scatter rosemary and thyme sprigs around potatoes.
• Bake in centre of oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until cooked through but still firm, basting with butter halfway through. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes.
• Grate 2 tbsp (25 mL) cheese finely; combine with panko. Slice remaining cheese crosswise into 20 slices; cut each slice crosswise into 3 pieces for a total of 60 pieces.
• Insert bacon alternately with cheese in potato slices. Brush all over with butter from pan. Sprinkle panko mixture over top. Bake in centre oven for 12 to 16 minutes or until cheese is melted and panko mixture is golden.
• Discard herb sprigs; garnish with fresh herbs if desired.