Instructions: THIS IS A MASTER RECIPE with lots of variations. While you bake the potatoes, mix the topping.

1. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

2. Scrub and prick the potatoes and bake about 45 minutes or until tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.

3. While the potatoes cook, mix all the remaining ingredients except salt in a small bowl and set aside.

4. When the potatoes are done, split open, season with salt and pepper to taste, top with the olive mixture and serve.

VARIATION : pick one or combine several (expanded) ideas / some pats

* Vary the herb: try savory; chervil, marjoram, etc.

* Omit oil and use a salad dressing or vinaigrette.

* Saute mushrooms, garlic and parsley in a little butter.

* Add diced baked ham; turkey bacon; lean deli meats.

* Dab of dairy: sour cream, yogurt cheese, cottage cheese, creamed cheese, grated cheese.

* Saute onions; add hard-cooked egg, capers, parsley.

* Cooked beans or canned (lowfat) chilies.

* Top with a mustardy tofu "egg" salad.

* Sauteed (not steamed) frozen mixed vegetables.

* Under-diluted low-fat canned soups.

* Fat-free or low-fat sun-dried tomato pesto.

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