Potato Boats

Description
A red-hot alternative to the potato skins, this vegetarian appetizer is made and packed with real bacon, fruit, and cheese and cooked to rich, golden-brown perfection, and is instantly exceptional for other appetizers. Cheddar cheese generally replaces Mozzarella and works for this recipe.

Ingredients

 * bacon, thick and sliced, 36 oz.
 * cranberries, dried 6 oz.
 * 4 tablespoons water, hot or lukewarm only
 * mozzarella cheese, shredded, 30 oz.
 * blue cheese, crumbled, 30 oz.
 * Simplot Classic Skin-on potato boats, 96 oz.
 * chives, fresh and chopped for garnishing
 * ranch dressing, prepared, 72 fl. oz.

Directions

 * 1) Place the bacon in a single layer on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Cook bacon for 12-15 minutes in a preheated 375° F oven.
 * 2) Drain grease and crumble the bacon; reserve.
 * 3) Place dried cranberries in a small sauté pan with water and simmer until almost all the liquid is absorbed.
 * 4) In a bowl, toss the mozzarella with the blue cheese until well blended.
 * 5) Fry the Simplot Classic Skin-on potato boats in a fryer at 350° F for 5 ½ minutes; drain.
 * 6) For each serving, place 4 prepared Simplot Classic Skin-on potato boats on a sheet pan, sprinkle with 2 oz. of cheese blend, ½ oz. of bacon, and ½ oz. of cranberries, and top with ½ oz. cheese.
 * 7) Place the pan under a salamander or in a hot oven until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with the chopped chives.
 * 8) Transfer to a serving plate along with 3 oz. of ranch dressing. Serve warm and plain or with other appetizers or vegetables.