Sometimes you’re just in the mood for potato skins.
This recipe is from my Par Fork! The Golf Resort Cookbook, but I have to warn you, they’re spa potato skins — meaning they’re made with low fat cheddar cheese and low fat sour cream.
There’s nothing wrong with trying to trim a few calories here and there.
There’s also nothing wrong with replacing the low fat ingredients in this recipe with the real stuff, and topping the skins with crumbled bacon.
Either way, it’s an easy recipe that hits the spot when you’re craving potato skins.
Spa (or not) Potato Skins
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 baking potatoes (about 1-1/4 pounds)
1/4 cup shredded low fat (or not) cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons low fat (or not) sour cream
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (cut on the diagonal)
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 slices thick bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (optional…or not)
Method:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Prick potatoes with a fork a few times. Bake until almost done, about 40 minutes. Cool potatoes.
2. Slice potatoes lengthwise and scoop out flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch flesh on skins. Reserve potato flesh for another recipe (such as hash browns).
3. Cut each skin in half crosswise, to yield 4 pieces per potato.
4. Reheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet (or spray with nonstick spray). Place skins on baking sheet and bake until crisp and golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Remove skins from oven and top each skin with 1 tablespoon of cheese. Return to oven to melt cheese, about 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and top each skin with 1-1/2 teaspoons sour cream and sprinkle with smoked paprika, green onions and bacon (if using) and serve immediately.
Mary | JUNE 25, 2011
Love potato skins – will make the “or not” version
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 26, 2011
Mary,I’m with you. Although the low fat version isn’t bad, it isn’t as richly flavored as it is with the full fat versions.
Linda Hopkins | JUNE 25, 2011
OK, making them right now… smell so great… you know how I love my smoked paprika! Hope you’re having a great weekend! xoxo
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 26, 2011
Linda, I love smoked paprika, too. I’ve even put it in a smoothie. Or if I haven’t, maybe I should
Linda Hopkins | JUNE 26, 2011
hmmm, let me know that combo for a smoothie with smoked paprika, I may have to give it a try.
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 27, 2011
I did a sweet dried corn + lime + smoked paprika smoothie…mimicking Mexican street corn. It was surprisingly delicious.
But I think I’ll do another one with smoked paprika, just for you
Stay tuned!
Dana | JUNE 28, 2011
Hi Gwen! This is such a great idea. I haven’t made these yummy things for parties in way too long. Craving them right now… I hope you are well and staying cool.
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 29, 2011
Dana! Thank you… sorry about the bacon reference, eh hem
Mich | JUNE 29, 2011
HAHA! I love the idea of using “spa” to indicate that healthier options are used instead of Lowfat/Nonfat, which sounds like trashy magazine language. Great pics!
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 29, 2011
Mich… thanks for commenting… “spa cuisine” does conjure up much more pleasant images. In several of my books, some resorts wanted to feature their spa cuisine. I took the best of the best they offered to include, but I’ve been known to make them with the full fat options on my own.
ovenhaven | JUNE 29, 2011
Possibly blasphemous, but I’ve never tasted potato skins! Now you’ve really tempted me with these
Gwen Ashley Walters | JUNE 29, 2011
Oven Haven: GASP! (kidding!) Well, I hope that you get a chance to make them. They are fairly ubiquitous here in America.
Lauren | JULY 09, 2011
spa potato skins, pinch me.
Gwen Ashley Walters | JULY 10, 2011
Lauren, you sure do know how to make a girl feel special… thank you!
Chow Down: This Week in Food Blogs | JULY 13, 2011
[...] cream is low fat which will prevent any bathing suit bursting. Salivate over the photo and learn how to make them [...]
Worth Repeating: Chow Down: This Week in Food Blogs | JULY 16, 2011
[...] cream is low fat which will prevent any bathing suit bursting. Salivate over the photo and learn how to make them [...]