Loaded Baked Potato Dip with Chives

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Rub potatoes with olive oil, wrap in foil and bake for 30-45 minutes until tender. Alternatively, you can peel and boil your potato in salted water for 15-20 minutes, until tender. Set aside.
• In a medium sized pan, cook bacon over medium-high heat, stirring often, until crispy. Place on a paper towel to absorb excess fat. Save 2 tablespoons of bacon fat and discard rest.
• In a medium sized bowl, mash your cooked and peeled potatoes, then combine your sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, minced onion, minced garlic, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
• Mix until smooth, then fold in your chives, parsley and cooked bacon.
• Garnish with any additional chives, parsley, red onion or bacon and serve with your steak fries.
• You can also serve this with carrots, celery or even potato chips!

Baked Steak Fries

• Get your steak fries baking while you finish the rest of the dip.
• Peel and cut your potatoes into 1-inch thick fries (you want them to be sturdy enough to dip).
• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment, and toss the potatoes in the 2 tablespoons of reserved bacon fat.
• Place in a 450°F oven for 10 minutes, then flip them over, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until golden and crispy.
• Finish with a quick sprinkle of sea salt and set aside.