an ode to baking & bible - potato boats.

when we were in college, i lead a high school girls bible study called "baking & bible".  after many weeks of solid attempts, it turned into much more baking than bible.  there was a lot of the hills watching too.  regardless of what the title should have been, it was a highlight of my every week... & of my life.

one week, i introduced twice-baked potatoes to the girls.  somehow quite a few of them had NEVER had twice-baked potatoes.  what?  my love for potatoes in any form was blown away by this discovery.  teaching a group how to make this amazing dish without them ever having seen the final product was a bit of a challenge.  {understatement}  so i explained that you scoop out the inside of the potato, leaving the skin to make a boat.  & thus "potato boats" were created.

every time i would ask the girls what they wanted to make that week, the answer would be, without fail, potato boats.  it is safe to say we made them every other week.  & it was a huge joy every time.

this week for dinner, i decided to have an ode to my favorite baking & bible friends with potato boats for dinner!  in case you too have never heard of this delicious creation, i shall enlighten you.

potato boats

6 medium potatoes

some canola oil

16 oz shredded cheddar cheese, divided

8 oz sour cream

1 stick butter

some garlic salt

some ranch dressing

optional: chopped chives, chopped bacon, whatever else your heart desires

1. wash potatoes, poke several times each with a fork, & lightly coat with canola oil.  bake at 400 degrees for 45-60 minutes.  (if you don't have this kind of time, try it in the microwave for 10 minutes, turn over, & 10 more minutes).

2. after the potatoes have cooled enough to hold (or with a towel that will need to be washed), cut each in half lengthwise.  carefully scoop out the soft insides into a large bowl, leaving the potatoes skins looking like boats.

3. add all but 1/2ish cup of cheese, sour cream, butter, & garlic salt (& whatever else your heart desires) to the soft potatoes and mix well.  

4. scoop potatoes mixture back into boats & top with the saved cheese.

5. bake at 400 for 30ish min or until the tops begin to brown.  serve with ranch dressing & enjoy your boats!

miss you girls!!  you are sunshine in my life.

love love,

kjp.