Cheesy Potato Skins

I had decided that I wasn't going to address the current Coronavirus situation on my blog - mostly because I prefer to keep this space, lighthearted and more of an escape from the stresses and realities of life rather than addressing the hard truths.  BUT, then made a trip to the grocery store and I felt like it was my obligation as a food blogger to share my thoughts. 

​I went shopping last Friday, not out of desperation or panic, but to out of necessity, to pick up the weekly groceries that I needed to feed my family for the week.  I'm sure that my grocery store experience was very similar to all of yours last week.  Empty shelves and cleaned out coolers.  Desperate shoppers buying up canned foods, milk, meats, poultry, diapers and every bit of soap and sanitizer that they could get their hands on.  There were long lines at the register and anxious, frustrated shoppers who weren't able to get what they needed.  

We are living in such a weird time right now.  We're all trying to navigating through the overwhelming amount of information about the Coronavirus and doing our best to take unprecedented precautions and preparations to protect and prepare ourselves and our families.  It can all be quite overwhelming.  

I can only assume from the amount of food that everyone has purchased last week, that they are preparing to follow the CDC guidelines and practice social distancing for the next few weeks.  Kids are home and parents are working from home - that means that someone is going to have to feed all these people.  This is the reason that I decided to blog about the Coronavirus.  

So for those of you who picked up a package of turkey legs simply because that was the only thing left in the meat case, I got you.  Use the search box on my recipe index page to find a recipe for almost anything.  Chicken wings, Italian sausage, ground beef and pork chops - I've got recipes for all of those ingredients.   Search through my recipes this week if you've got ingredients that you need to use up.  

I was late to the party and I didn't have much luck finding meats and poultry at the grocery store last week.  They were also sold out of soup, dried pasta and bread so we're improvising this week.  I did manage to come home with a bag of potatoes so - potato skins it is.  These cheesy potato skins are going to make our self-imposed home quarantine much more tolerable -- and delicious.  🥔

Cheesy Potato Skins
4 russet potatoes
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Toppings
sour cream
crumbled bacon
fresh chives, chopped

Prick potatoes with a fork.  Wrap in foil and bake 90 minutes at 350. Cut potatoes in half, lengthwise.

Scoop out the insides, leaving a 1/4" border. 

Brush both sides of potato with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place on foil lined pan and under broiler until crispy.  (8-10 minutes)

Top each potato with cheese and place under broiler until melted.  

Serve potato skins with sour cream, crumbled bacon and fresh chives.  

I think America is the most resilient country in the world.  We rally when times are tough.  We are at our best when things are at their worst.  I've watched as communities come together to feed children who won't be able to eat their breakfast and lunch at school this month.   I commend all of the brave healthcare workers who are working selflessly to care for others.  My prayers are will you all.

Ciao!

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