Lake Forest Cafe Potatoes

Colorful  and a little different, great for breakfast or with burgers (serves 6), or as a veggie main dish.(serves 2-3)  I  discovered  these at a  renovated house-turned-Cafe in the Sacramento area, near  Folsom, California.  I think if the prison  there had served these potatoes to the inmates  Johnny Cash would  never have written " Folsom Prison Blues."


Melt 3 Tb butter in large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add 3 cooked medium baking potatoes, skin on, coarsely chopped.  Cook til crisp, stir frequently.  Then add 1 ¼ c shredded monterey jack cheese, 1 ¼ c. shredded cheddar cheese, 2/3 c. chopped tomato, 2 TB  chopped green onion,  gently stir til cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper. Gently stir in ½   diced avocado. Spoon onto plates and top with sour cream. Serve immediately.

Criss-Cross Baked Potatoes

These are delicious, and depending on the potato size, may cut baking time in half.    I hadn't made  this in many years, til I saw them in a recent Women's World magazine, renamed "quilted potatoes".  Their version  uses herbs and a little  romano cheese, which  sounds good too. There are lots of ways to  tailor these crisp-topped potatoes to your own taste,

Scrub baking potatoes, dry, and cut in half lengthwise. Make diagonal slashes about 1/2" deep in two directions across the cut surfaces, making large 'diamonds' (criss-cross.) Brush the cut surfaces with melted butter; season with salt and pepper; or seasoned salt or garlic salt. Arrange in a shallow baking pan. Bake til tender at 350 for 35-60 minutes, depending on the size. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 10-15 minutes more. Tops will be browned.