Baked Potato Bar

Baked potato with steamed broccoli and mozzarella cheese.

Original recipe from family.

Ingredients:

• Idaho potatoes (I have to say that.  I'm from Idaho) or sweet potatoes 
• chives/onions
• chopped tomatoes
• chopped fresh basil
• sauteed vegetables 
• steamed broccoli
• steamed peas
• sundried tomatoes 
• sprouts
• cheese
• sour cream
• butter
• ranch
• bacon bits
• shredded grilled chicken
• pulled pork
• BBQ black beans
• tomato lentils
• chili
• pork and beans

Directions:

1. Oven: preheat oven to 350.  Scrub all potatoes and prick 4-6 times with a fork.  For crispy skin: Bake 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until skin is crispy and center is soft.  For soft skin: Place poked potatoes in a baking dish and cover with a lid/tin foil.  Bake 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  *If you cut a potato in half and realize it needs more time, finish it using the microwave instructions and none will be the wiser.  :)
2. Microwave:  Scrub all potatoes and prick 6-8 times with a fork.  Place directly in microwave or on a very microwave-hardy dish (like glass).  Cook for 5 minutes, flip the potato, and cook 5 minutes more.  For cooking several potatoes at a time, continue flipping and cooking until done.  *You can check doneness but cutting the potato in half to test the softness of the center.  If more time is needed, return the potato with halves place together as if it wasn't cut.  
3. Top with favorite toppings and enjoy!  Or turn them into twice-baked.
4. Also goes well with lemon peppered chicken, juicy pork, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.

Favorite combos: 

1. Idaho potato, broccoli, and cheese
2. Sweet potato, pulled pork, and broccoli