Potato Boats

I loved Potato Boats as a kid.  Here is my recipe for making them:

4 potatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 stick butter
2 cups shredded cheese
(other topping suggestions:  mushrooms, bacon, green onion, sour cream, grilled onions)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Thoroughly wash the potatoes with a brush, cutting out any roots growing out of the eyes, green or rotten areas.  In a bowl, rub the potatoes with olive oil, and then with salt.  This makes for a tasty and crunchy skin.  Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork.  Place the potatoes in the middle of the oven, with a baking sheet on a level below to catch any drippings.  Cook for 35 minutes.

When the potatoes have cooked for 35 minutes, remove them from the oven carefully.  They will be very hot!  When they have cooled enough to touch, cut them in half lengthwise.  Then with a small spoon, scoop out the insides of the potatoes, leaving only the outside skin.  Be delicate with this as the skins are very delicate and may tear with too much force.

Scoop all the potatoes into a bowl.  Add milk and mash the potatoes with a fork.  Then mix in salt to taste, 1 cup cheese, and butter.  Add other toppings as desired.

When the potatoes are thoroughly mixed, scoop out the mixture into the potato skin shells.  Then add 1 cup cheese as topping over the boats.  Place back into oven carefully, and cook for 40 minutes.

Carefully remove the boats.  Makes 8 servings.