Instructions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash the potatoes, prick them and bake for about an hour or until done. (If kids dont like very crunchy exterior, scrub the potatoes clean, wrap them in foil and then bake; they will then steam rather than bake.)

Meanwhile, heat olive oil and saute peppers and mushrooms until tender. Remove from heat and stir in pesto, or other paste to taste and season with salt and pepper.

When potatoes are done, split them almost all the way to the bottom and squeeze up some of the potato flesh; spoon vegetable topping over and around potatoes. If you did not add pesto or other paste, top with yogurt; if you added pesto or other paste, top with shaved Parmesan.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Variations: Fresh chopped tomatoes mixed with olive oil and chiffonade of basil, 2 cups pureed cottage cheese mixed with 1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes, or 1 tablespoon prepared pesto, bean or meat chili, smoked salmon, chives and sour cream.

Twice baked Southwest: Scoop out filling from potatoes which are baked, mix with cheddar cheese, sour cream, green chilis or jalapenos and scallions, refill and reheat for 15 minutes or in microwave if you dont mind losing crisp texture of outside skin.

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