Loaded Potato Skins

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet and cook for 1 hour.
2. 2
   Remove from the baking sheet, and allow to cool for about 15 minutes.
3. 3
   Once your potatoes are cooled cut each lengthwise into three sections, creating three long slices. (So each potato should yield two skins, plus a middle section that you can either discard, use to make something else, or keep to make some extra potato skins without the "skin").
4. 4
   Once you've cut all the potatoes, use a small spoon to scoop out about 70 percent of the potato to make a little boat. You still want to have a thick layer of potato near the skin, but you want it to be slightly hollowed-out in the middle to create a "boat".
5. 5
   Turn your oven on to a high broil.
6. 6
   Brush the potatoes with butter on the inside and outside and place them back onto the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
7. 7
   Broil for 7-8 minutes until the insides get a bit crispy from the melted butter.
8. 8
   Remove from the oven and add a generous amount of shredded cheese into each skin, topping with bacon pieces.
9. 9
   Place back under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
10. 10
    Remove from oven and top with sour cream and chives or green onion.
11. 11
    Serve warm.