Lightened Up Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

• 8 whole Small Potatoes, Washed And Dried (about 4 Oz Each; I Used Red Potatoes)
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Divided
• 1 whole Medium-large Onion, Diced
• 2 whole Medium-large Carrots, Grated
• 2 cloves (Large) Garlic, Minced
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Black Pepper
• ½ cups Milk
• 2 ounces, weight Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Use a sharp paring knife to poke each potato a few times (don’t skip this step—this is so the potatoes don’t explode in the oven!). Bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack for 1 hour. Remove the potatoes and turn oven up to 450ºF. Let them cool slightly so you can handle them, then cut them in half lengthwise, scoop out the insides into a large bowl, and reserve the skins.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add the onion and cook until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the carrot, garlic, salt, and pepper; turn heat down to medium-low and cook until carrot is softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the onion mixture to the bowl with potatoes. Mash the potatoes (lumps are fine), gradually adding a splash of milk as needed (you might not need the full 1/2 cup of milk); stir in the cheese. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as desired. Scoop the potato mixture into the reserved potato skins, slightly mounding the filling up.

Arrange the potato skins on a baking sheet, drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top, and bake 15 minutes. Serve topped with any toppings you like, such as Greek yogurt, sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh chopped herbs, etc.