Recipe 26: Hearty Twice Baked Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:

8 large baking potatoes

1/2 pound bulk pork sausage

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups diced fully cooked ham

6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

1/2 cup Italian salad dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Scrub and pierce potatoes. Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-60 minutes or microwave, uncovered, on high for 12-14 minutes or until tender. 2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.

3. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. In a large mixing bowl, mash the pulp with butter. Stir in the sausage, cheese, ham, bacon, sour cream, salad dressing, salt and pepper.

4. Spoon into potato shells. Place on two ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.