Breakfast Potato Skins

These were my favorite things on the menu of a coffee shop near me that closed long ago. I've yearned for them over the years but have never seen them anywhere else. I finally decided to make them myself, and they came out YUMMY!!!!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 8 Skins

Ingredients

• 4  large russet potatoes
• 5  large eggs
• 1  tablespoon water
• 1 -2  tablespoon butter (do not substitute margarine)
• 3  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt (or regular table salt)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 6 -8  slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2  cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 -8  green onions, sliced
• 2  cups sour cream

Directions

1. Bake potatoes in the microwave for 10 minutes; turn over and bake another 5-8 minutes until baked through (test with a toothpick). Set aside to cool.
2. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
3. Beat eggs in a bowl; add water; beat a little more. Add eggs to skillet and scramble until done. Set aside.
4. Once potatoes have cooled enough to be handled, cut them lengthwise and scoop out the pulp, leaving about 1/4 inch layer of pulp in the skins; discard pulp (or save/use for something else).
5. Place skins upside down (skin side up) on a greased baking sheet.
6. Combine oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl; brush all over each skin.
7. Bake at 475 degrees for about 8 minutes; remove baked skins from oven.
8. Turn the skins over and fill each one with scrambled eggs and sprinkle cheese on top.
9. Return to oven long enough to melt the cheese, about 1 minute.
10. Remove from oven and add salsa, sour cream, bacon and green onions, or whatever other toppings you like. (Add the salsa first and then the sour cream so that other toppings will 'stick" to the sour cream.).