Potatoes On The Half Shell Food

POTATOES ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
• Scrub the potatoes and place them in the oven until done, about 1 hour.
• Cut each potato in half, lengthwise. Carefully, scoop out the potato and place in a bowl. Set the potato shells aside to use later.
• While still hot, mash the potatoes with the milk, beaten egg, and butter. Beat until fluffy.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add in the onion.
• Spread the potato shells with butter and fill each shell with the potato mixture.
• Sprinkle the tops with parmesan cheese.
• Bake until tops are browned.

SCALLOPS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Remove the side muscles from the scallops and rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
• Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted add the garlic and a pinch of salt and cook for 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and toss in the bread crumbs until well combined. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, toss together the tomato, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Evenly divide the tomato mixture between 4 oven proof ramekins or scallop shells. Place the scallops over the tomato mixture and top with the cracker or bread crumbs. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown on top. Serve immediately.

MOM'S FAMOUS HALF-SHELL POTATOES

Steps:

• PREHEAT oven to 400°F with rack in the center position.
• WASH the freshest smooth-skinned blemish-free russet potatoes; PIERCE each potato evenly 4 times using a fork; COAT each potato with vegetable oil; SPRINKLE each potato lightly with kosher salt; WRAP each potato with aluminum foil.
• PLACE potatoes on center rack in oven; BAKE potatoes for 1 hour.
• REMOVE potatoes from oven; ALLOW to cool just slightly; LOWER oven temperature to 350°F.
• REMOVE foil from one potato at a time with one oven mitt; CUT potato lengthwise on a cutting board with a serrated knife across the flattest, widest surface; HOLD hot potato in oven mitt; SCOOP put out potato pulp carefully from each half into a large bowl, leaving enough skin and pulp in each shell to support filling; PLACE each shell cut-side up on a cookie sheet; REPEAT same process with remaining potatoes, working quickly and carefully while potatoes are still warm.
• WHIP potato pulp well using a potato masher or fork; ADD 2 tablespoons softened butter, 2 tablespoons real mayonnaise, 1/3 cup whole milk, kosher salt and finely ground pepper to taste (more milk may be added for potatoes to remain stiff yet fluffy; ADJUST seasoning if needed; STIR in 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; FOLD in chopped onion last, just until combined.
• FILL each potato shell on the baking sheet evenly until all of the potato mixture is used; TOP each potato with sharp cheddar cheese, divided evenly between potatoes; SPRINKLE potatoes lightly with paprika (smoked paprika is good); potatoes may be covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
• BAKE potatoes on the center rack in oven, for 15 minutes.
• COOL baked potatoes for 3-5 minutes.
• SERVE and enjoy!

SWEET POTATOES IN ORANGE SHELLS

Steps:

• Cut oranges in half and juice them. You should measure 3/4 cup orange juice. If you don't have enough, supplement with packaged orange juice.
• Scoop out orange halves and save the shells. Set aside.
• Wash sweet potatoes and prick in several spots. Place potatoes on a paper towel and microwave on HIGH for 12-15 minutes or until very soft.
• Peel potatoes (be careful!). Scoop potato pulp into a large bowl.
• Mash with margarine, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and zest. Mash and mix until smooth.
• Set orange shells into a casserole or microwaveable serving platter with high sides (to hold the oranges upright). Fill shells with potato mixture.
• Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes or until warm.