Chef's Cheese Sauce for Baked Potatoes

• medium russet potatoes↗5 -6
• sour cream↗1⁄2 cup
• softened butter1⁄4 cup
• shredded sharp cheddar cheese↗1 cup
• bacon↗6 slices

  cooked crisp and crumbled

• minced green onion tops or 2 tablespoons chives2 tablespoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Scrub potatoes with vegetable brush; dry well.

2. 2

   For crunchy skins, sprinkle each potato with 1 tablespoon garlic flavored olive oil (or substitute plain olive oil), rubbing oil all over potato.

3. 3

   Sprinkle with coarse salt and coarsely ground black pepper.

4. 4

   Pierce potato several times with tip of sharp knife in order to allow steam to escape.

5. 5

   Do NOT wrap in foil.

6. 6

   For soft potato skins, DO wrap in foil.

7. 7

   Bake at 400°F for about one hour or until done.

8. 8

   When potatoes are done, roll gently under hand to make mealy inside.

9. 9

   Immediately cut crosswise in top of each potato, pushing up on ends to fluff up.

10. 10

    Top each with some of the sauce.