BAKED FOR DINNER POTATOES

Baked for Dinner Potatoes image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Idaho or Russet potatoes, each weighing about 8 ounces
Olive oil
4 red bell peppers, seeded and finely julienned
1 pound of mushrooms, stemmed and finely sliced
Pesto, sun dried tomato or black olive paste to taste
Salt and pepper
Yogurt or chunk Parmesan cheese - optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash the potatoes, prick them and bake for about an hour or until done. (If kids don't like very crunchy exterior, scrub the potatoes clean, wrap them in foil and then bake; they will then steam rather than bake.) Meanwhile, heat olive oil and saute peppers and mushrooms until tender. Remove from heat and stir in pesto, or other paste to taste and season with salt and pepper. When potatoes are done, split them almost all the way to the bottom and squeeze up some of the potato flesh; spoon vegetable topping over and around potatoes. If you did not add pesto or other paste, top with yogurt; if you added pesto or other paste, top with shaved Parmesan.
Variation for Adults: Toast bread, top with thin slices of Swiss, Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese and melt slightly in toaster oven. After hamburger mix is done, separate mixture between two skillets. To adults portion add chopped green chilis or minced fresh jalapeno peppers. Can top with sour cream and slivers of red bell pepper.