Game Day Recipe Week 2: PIG SKINS

Pig Skins

You can assemble these game day "pig skins" [potato skins] ahead of time, if you like. For daintier eaters try pop in your mouth bite-size pig skins, make this recipe with 12 small potatoes instead. Or for a twist, substitute smoked turkey or chicken for the pork, heck make them all and pig out.

Ingredients:
6 medium yukon gold potatoes (about 2 1/2 lbs.)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
A couple of green onions slice thin for garnish
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup BBQ sauce (I used my Root beer BBQ sauce but you can use your own)
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup salsa
1 cup grated Monterey Jack
1 1/2 cup shredded pulled pork (You can buy in store or make your own)

How:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick potatoes all over with a fork then arrange on a baking sheet and bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then halve lengthwise and scoop out flesh, leaving only about 1/4 inch of potato all around. (Save potato flesh for another use.)

In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook until deep golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes more.

Preheat broiler. Divide half of the cheese among potato skins, then top with onions. Arrange pork on onions then top with remaining cheese. Broil until golden brown and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer potato skins to a platter and serve with BBQ sauce, sour cream, salsa on the side and what else BEER!
Go Pats!

Where did potato skins originate?
According to yahoo answers
Sorry to tell you, but they originated with TGI Fridays. But don't worry, it wasn't the orginal store in NYC. They were actually concocted by a hungry sous chef in the Atlanta store. The year was 1974.

I still think that Friday's skins are the best. I was introduced to them in Cupertino, California around 1977, and every Friday night would go to the bar there for skins and beer (extra sour cream, please!). Got fatter than heck that summer.

www.stevesacooking.com