Wednesday

County Fair Tea: Potato Bites

Big baked potatoes topped with a mind boggling choice of toppings is a big seller at my county fair. Even for this fun tea, a whole potato would be too much. In these potato bites, all the flavors are here but they are easy to eat and not so filling.

2 large baking potatoes
olive oil
½ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons Ranch Dressing seasoning mix
Topping Ingredients: chopped bacon, chives, shredded cheese, hot peppers, green onion, chili powder, paprika, etc.

Rub potatoes with olive oil, poke with a fork to release steam and bake in a 425º oven for 1 hour – 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on size. When cool enough to handle, slice potato into ½” rounds. Using a melon baller, scoop a small amount of potato from the center to make a well. Take care not to break through the bottom of the potato.

In a small bowl combine the sour cream, cream cheese and Ranch seasoning. This mixture can be put into a piping bag if a more formal presentation is desired; otherwise, dollop some of the mixture into the indentation you made, mounding it up.

Top the potato bites with any of the ingredients listed above or come up with your own topping ideas.