Andouille and White Cheddar over Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

8 large baking potatoes, like Russets
Drizzle olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced onions
1/2 pound andouille sausage, ground
8 tablespoons butter
1 to 1 1/2 cups cream fr‚iche
1/2 pound white cheddar, grated
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool. In a sauté pan, over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until caramelized, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.

Meanwhile, in a sauté pan, over medium heat, add the 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, brown the sausage, about 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the sausage and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Using a sharp knife, remove the top 1/4 of each potato. Using a spoon, remove the flesh from each potato, leaving about 1/4-inch border on each potato. Set the hollowed potato shells, aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato flesh, butter, and cream frâiche. Season with salt and pepper. Using a hand masher, mash until smooth. Add half of the cheese, onions, sausage, chives, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Fill each hollow potato with the potato/sausage mixture. Top each potato with the remaining cheese. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are warm and the cheese melts. Remove from the oven and serve.

Yield: 8 stuffed potatoes, 8 to 16 servings