Baked Potato with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

Years ago my girlfriends and I would go to our favorite restaurant in my hometown called The Pioneer. They are known for excellent steaks and huge Idaho potatoes. My friends and I couldn't afford getting the steaks and prime rib so we would order a salad, baked potato and artichoke. It was One of my very favorite meals and still is. It's simple food with great textures and flavors. Sometimes, it's nice to have a vegetarian meal that is hearty and filling without being heavy. My kids love this baked potato almost as much as I do. Simple food is the best! I served this baked potato with my Greek Salad and a Steamed Artichoke.

Baked Potato with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions:
Recipe and photo by For the Love of Cooking

• 3 large Idaho russet potatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil (divided
• 1 sweet yellow onion, sliced
• 15 button mushrooms, sliced
• Butter, to taste
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• Sour cream
• Green onions, diced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash the potatoes thoroughly then deeply poke holes on all sides with a fork or knife all over the potato. This allows steam to escape during cooking, it also prevents the potatoes from exploding in your oven when baking. Place directly on the baking rack in the oven and bake for 1 hour or until tender when pierced with a fork or knife.

While the potatoes are baking. Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until caramelized, about 20-30 minutes. Season with sea salt to taste and set aside; cover with tinfoil to keep warm. Heat the remainder of the olive oil in the same skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the mushrooms and don't touch for 3-4 minutes so they get nice and caramelized. Toss with a spatula and continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Season with sea salt and set aside.

Remove cooked potatoes from the oven, slice them down the center then pinch each end of the potato towards the middle. Add butter, sea salt and pepper to taste then top with caramelized onions, mushrooms, sour cream and green onions. Enjoy!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe - For the Love of Cooking.net