Potato Skin Bar

When I host a party I think it's fun to get guests involved with some of the preparation of the food....especially when it comes to appetizers.  I love to set up a serving table and let guest create their own food.  It works out great because everyone gets what they like and there's no putting together and serving for you!  With this potato skin bar you can even have guests bring their favorite topping instead of having to create many different ones yourself.  It's like the potluck of tater skins!

credit: http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0099009/photos/patrickwoodward/2134827524/

To start you'll need

• Potatoes
• 1/2 stick of butter melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• dash of salt and pepper 

Bake the potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or microwave them until tender.  After removing the potatoes, turn up the oven to 475 degrees.  Once the potatoes have cooled, slice the potato in half length wise and scoop out the filling.  Leave about 1/4 of an inch of the potato around inside the skin so it isn't too flimsy to handle.  Mix the garlic, salt & pepper and butter and brush the inside with the melted butter mixture. Bake for about 15 minutes, turning about half way through cooking time.

Now for the toppings!!  Use whatever you like and don't forget to ask guests to bring their favorite
toppings :)  I serve my toppings in mini slow cookers like the one shown.  I picked a couple up at Walmart for around $5.00 a piece (and that was the regular price)!  If you don't have slow cookers serve up in bowls covered in foil to keep warm.

Here are some ideas for toppings:

• Broccoli & cheese - take the easy route and buy a few boxes of the frozen boxed broccoli & cheese sauce in the frozen veggie isle!
• Bacon & chives
• Sausage with peppers & onions
• Taco meat with crushed Fritos & diced tomatoes
• Shredded BBQ chicken

And don't forget the shredded cheese and sour cream to put on top!

Lucy~