Potato Soup In Bread Bowls Food

POTATO SKINS

Steps:

• Lightly grease outside of potatoes, cut small slit in top and bake at 425 degrees F for 45 minute or until soft. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out cooked potato, leaving a very thin layer of potato. (Save cooked potato for mashed potatoes or hash browns.)
• Brush outside and inside of skins with melted butter. Sprinkle inside with steak seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
• Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until crisp and bubbly.
• Fill with cheddar cheese and bacon. Bake 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of chives.
• Variation: Twice Baked Potato Fingers Bake 3 large (about 5-inch) potatoes for 1 hour; cool. Cut in half lengthwise, and then lengthwise in half again, making 12 long fingers. Scoop out and proceed as above.

LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Position 2 racks in the center of the oven, and preheat to 375 degrees F. Thoroughly wash and dry the potatoes, then prick each all over 8 to 10 times with a fork. Rub the butter evenly on the potatoes, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet with at least 1 inch of space between them.
• Put the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Place both baking sheets in the oven, the bacon below the potatoes. Cook the bacon, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 18 to 20 minutes; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, let cool and then crumble. Bake the potatoes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and a small knife inserted in the center goes in and out without any resistance, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a cutting board and let cool completely, about 2 hours; quarter each cooled potato lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the potatoes, bacon, Cheddar and white parts of the scallions, and gently stir to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with the scallion greens right before serving.

CLASSIC POTATO LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, leeks and onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and not browned, about 12 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high, pour in the wine and continue to cook, uncovered, until almost dry, about 4 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, 7 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, covered, until the potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
• Remove and discard the thyme and bay leaf. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and carefully puree until smooth, taking care not to fill the carafe more than half full per batch, or puree with an immersion blender in the pot. Reheat the soup over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk in the cream and lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, a drizzle of oil and a frizzled leeks or shallot if using.