CRISPY BAKED POTATO FANS

Crispy Baked Potato Fans image

I had seen this done on another cooking show and had to try it. I tweaked it a little for my own personal taste and feel it would work for others.

Provided by CabinKat

Time 1h

Yield 4 Potatoes, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
4 russet potatoes, scrubbed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

Steps:

You can use one slice of bread in place of the bread crumbs. Chop up and place in food processor, pulse until you get fine crumbles. Bake on cookie sheet in 200° degree oven until dry, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
Place bread crumbs in medium-sized bowl and add butter, cheeses, paprika, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper. Mix well.
Bread crumb mixture can be refrigerated for 2 days in zipper-lock bag.
For the potato fans, heat oven to 450° degrees. After potatoes have been scrubbed, find flattest part of potato and cut skin off slightly so potato doesn't rock. Cut both ends off about 1/4" or so. Then proceed to fan potato, making 1/4" slices. Use something on either side of potato (dow rod or chop sticks) so that you don't cut all the way through. You should have a bit more than a 1/4" left at the bottom. Once all are cut (very important part), rinse through running water getting gently in-between the slices. Let drain and then place sliced-side down on microwavable plate. Microwave until slightly soft to touch, 6-12 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through.
Arrange potatoes, sliced-side up, on foil-lined baking sheet. Brush potatoes with olive oil all over and try to get in-between some of the slices, season with salt and pepper. Bake until skin is crisp and potatoes start to brown, about 25-30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit for about 5 minutes. Carefully top potatoes with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Try to get a bit in-between slices, but don't push too hard or they will separate too much. Broil until bread crumbs are deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.
NOTE: You can substitute the Monterey Jack for Cheddar or another semi-firm cheese. The Parmesan helps bind the bread crumbs.