Twice Baked Leek Potato

Oh, this is not your ordinary twice baked or stuffed potato. This side dish could even serve on its own as a main dish. The idea for this came from a steak dinner Matt prepared. He grilled up some steak with this leek cream sauce served over it. There was a surprise in that sauce though. Whiskey! I thought this cream sauce would dress up a baked potato very nicely. And it did...

Twice Baked Leek Potato

6 russet potatoes
8 slices bacon
2 leeks, chopped
1/2 c chicken broth
1/4 c cream
1/4 c whiskey
1 bay leaf
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tbsp chives, chopped
3 tbsp grated asiago cheese
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce the potatoes in some spots with a fork. Rub some olive oil, salt and pepper on the outside of the potatoes. Bake directly on the middle oven rack for about an hr or until fork tender.

In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Set the cooked bacon aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the leeks to the bacon dripping and saute until tender, about 5-10 mins. Set aside until ready to use.

In a small saucepan, simmer the chicken broth, cream, whiskey, and bay leaf. Keep it warm on low heat until you're ready to use.

When the potatoes are done, remove potatoes from the oven, and turn the heat down to 375 degrees F.
Hold the potato with an oven mitt, trim off the top of the potatoes to make a canoe-like shape. Carefully scoop out most of the potato flesh into a bowl. Take care to leave enough potato in the skin so the shells stay together.

Mash the potato flesh with the sauce (discarding the bay leaf). Crumble in the bacon. Stir in the leeks, butter, parsley, and chives. Salt and pepper to taste. Refill the shells with the potato mixture mounding it slightly. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the potato filling. Bake for about 10 mins, or until warmed.