Hot Crash Potatoes

I think it was The Pioneer Woman who made these famous.  And no surprise either!  These were super tasty, and after a few minor adjustments I found after scouring the internet.

The premise is taking baked potatoes, smashing them on a pan, then drizzling with oil and seasoning, then baking them until they're crispy.  So not only do you have a yummy, creamy center; you have the bits that crisp up in the oven from the oil.

Instead of oil though, I put a smear of butter on the top, that would melt all the way down into those cracks and crevices.  I thought about it, I don't put oil on my baked potato, so let's try butter on these!

And then one more notch:  Melted cheese.  Yes my friend, I went that far.

and I'm glad I did.

You could stop before the cheese.  I mean, look at those beauties!  Crispy and delightful.  I think I ate 4 in one sitting.  To be fair, I HAD gone running that day and thus felt justified.

With the cheese, they're like the perfect crispy-potato-you-want-for-every-meal dish.  It's true!

HOT CRASH POTATOES
From: The Pioneer Woman
Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com

• Small potatoes (like red potatoes)
• oil for pan
• butter (seasoned or not)
• lots of seasonings!  salt, pepper, chives
• shredded cheese

Preheat the oven to 450 degs.  Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and throw the potatoes in there.  When they're tender pull them out.  Drizzle some oil on your pan, and place the potatoes.  Gently smash with a potato masher OR slice an X in the top and use a cup.  Then season like crazy!!  Lots of salt and pepper and chives are the way I like them.  Slice a pat of butter on the top of each potato and throw them in the oven.  Check them after about 20 minutes and see how they're looking.  If needed, let them go a few minutes longer, then add the cheese.  I like to turn the broiler on for just a minute or two to get that top ulta crispy.

Linked up at: See Ya In The Gumbo,