Twice Baked Potatoes

These overstuffed double-baked potatoes practically burst with bacon, cheddar, and sour cream stuffing

Ingredients

4 large baking potatoes

1/2 lb bacon

4 Tbls butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp chopped fresh chives

1 tsp salt

1 (8 oz) container sour cream

1 (8 oz) pkg shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Use a fork to pierce the potato skins

2. Bake the potatoes unwrapped for about 1 hr, or until soft, in the preheated oven. (Or put in microwave for 20 minutes.)

3. 3. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.

4. Over medium-low heat melt the butter in a large saucepan. Combine onion, mushrooms, red pepper, garlic powder, pepper, chives and salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft.

5. Slice open the baked potatoes and, keeping the skins intact, scoop the insides into a medium bowl. Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl. Mix in the sour cream. Pour in 1/2 of the cheese and continue mixing until all ingredients are well blended.

6. Using a large spoon, fill the potato skins with the mixture. Top with bread crumbs, the remaining cheese and bacon.

7. Return the potatoes to the preheated oven and continue baking for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the filling is slightly brown.