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 to get the steaks and prime rib so we would order a house salad, baked potato with the works, along with a steamed artichoke. It was one of my very favorite meals and still is to this day. I love simple food with great textures and flavors! My kids love this baked potato almost as much as I do. Simple food is the best! I served this baked potato with my house salad and a Steamed Artichoke.

Baked Potato with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions:

Ingredients:

• 3 large Idaho russet potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (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

How to Make a Baked Potato with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

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 tin foil to keep warm. Add water as needed to the skillet if the onions get dry.

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