Sour Cream & Chive Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chives, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Paprika for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
3. Place the potatoes directly on the middle oven rack and bake for about 1 hour, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Remove the potatoes from the oven. When cool enough to handle, slice each potato lengthwise and scoop out the insides into a bowl, leaving a thin shell.
5. To the potato insides, add sour cream, chives, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese if using.
6. Spoon the mixture back into the potato shells. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
7. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and slightly crispy on top.
8. Serve hot.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes