Individual Loaded Baked Potato Pull Apart Bread Food

MILE HIGH LOADED BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes and place on a baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 1 hour. Use a sharp knife to test for doneness; it should easily cut into the center.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on a towel-lined plate, then crumble and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; prepare an ice water bath. Cook the broccoli florets in the boiling water until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice bath, then drain again.
• To serve the potatoes, make a cut through the top of each and push both ends together to fluff the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, then top each with 1 tablespoon butter, a dollop of sour cream, 1/4 cup broccoli, 1/4 cup Cheddar, 2 tablespoons crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon chopped chives. Return to the oven until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

LOADED MINI BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on top. Bake until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb any excess fat and let cool. Crumble cooled bacon.
• Discard the parchment and pour off the remaining excess bacon drippings from the baking sheet, leaving only a thin coating of fat on the baking sheet. Reserve the poured-off drippings. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
• Toss the fingerling potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon drippings, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the potatoes cut-side-down on the baking sheet in a crowded single layer. Bake until the potatoes just start to brown, 15 minutes, then flip and continue to bake until cooked through, golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes more.
• Remove the potatoes from the oven and place the baking sheet on a heat-safe surface. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to push the potatoes together so that they are all touching but remain in a single layer. Sprinkle the potatoes with the cheese and bacon, return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the potatoes to a platter with a large spatula. Top with dollops of sour cream and the scallions. Finish by squeezing the lemon over the top. Serve hot.