The Betty Crocker Project : Cheesy Potato Skins

Apparently the original owner of the Washington Redskins was a huge racist. I know SHOCKING.

Betty’s recipe for potato skins, which I’ll tell you how to make in a hot minute, is pretty much the perfect accompaniment to a football game [Ed. note: or Puppy Bowl]. And, lo! There just so happens to be a game this weekend. A big one, in fact. What fortuitous timing. But before we get to the food, allow me to digress onto one of my favorite rant topics, also pertaining to skins and football.

Here where Annie and I live in Virginia, the local team of note is the Washington Redskins. Yep, you read that right. That’s actually the name of the team. Can you honestly believe, in this day and age, that they still call the team “Washington” even though they actually play their home games in Landover, MARYLAND!?!? The mind reels! It’s also super racist.

Seriously, universe: there is a professional sports team named after a racial slur used against Native Americans as part of an ugly historical relationship that also includes, you know, genocide… and no one really seems to notice? Or care? What the hell is going on here? How is this OK? I swear, every time I hear an announcer say “…and the Redskins take the field against the Eagles today” my brain just goes “OMG YOU GUYS DID YOU HEAR WHAT HE JUST SAID? THAT’S SO RACIST!” But the rest of the world just seems to be like “boy, the Skins sure do suck this year.” Which, I mean, they do. But you what else sucks? Racial slurs.

There is not a single viable argument in defense of the team’s name. None. There isn’t even like a bullshit defense that everyone sorta knows doesn’t hold water, but agrees to just go with anyway because it’s easier than facing the truth (what I like to call the “Carnivore Defense”). Pretty much every Redskins fan I know will admit that yeah, the team’s name is racist. The closest thing to a “defense” I’ve encountered is “Yeah, I know, but what else are they gonna call them?” Excellent question. How about this: ANYTHING ELSE. In fact, to help out, I’m going to make a list of 15 other things that the Washington Redskins could be called other than the Washington Redskins, without stopping to think or brainstorm. I’m just going to type 15 things in a row. Go.

1. The Washington Drainage Authority
2. The Washington Bobcats
3. The Washington Polecats
4. The Washington Anythingcats
5. The Washington Washingtonians
6. The Washington Senators
7. The Washington Grays
8. The Washington Not The Redskins (I guess that doesn’t work)
9. The Washington Football Team
10. The Landover, Maryland Football Team
11. Annie Shannon
12. The Washington Hogs
13. The Washington Gridlock
14. The Washington Corruption
15. I Hate the Redskins (also doesn’t work)

See? At least one or two of those are totally usable. Ergo, there is no excuse. So help me out here. Annie and I are activists—that’s what we do. When we don’t like something, we do something. So let’s all do something together today. Please go this site and send a message to the Redskins management, asking them to change the team’s name to something less racist. Normally I would say “send a polite message,” but honestly, I’m not sure you really need to be polite to racists.

Oh right, potato skins. These tasty treats are a delicious snack that’ll satisfy any Super Bowl appetite, and go great with a goddammit I hate the fucking Redskins. Sorry, Annie, I tried.

Click Read More to get this great recipe... 

Cheesy Potato Skins (photos coming soon)

• 4-6 Medium to Large Baking Potatoes (please keep in mind - we use organic potatoes so they are smaller)
• 1 Teaspoon Margarine per Potato Skin 
• 1-2 Tablespoons Daiya Vegan Cheddar Cheese per Potato Skin (shredded) 
• 1 Tablespoon Vegan Sour Cream Per Potato Skin 
• 1 Tablespoon Bac-Os per Potato Skin (YES VEGAN)
• 8 Green Onions (diced) 

Heat oven to 375.

Prick your Potatoes with a fork and bake for around 1 hour or until tender. Remove the tender Potatoes from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Then cut into fourths lengthwise. Carefully use a spoon to scoop out a little of the soft pulp in the center. You want to leave most of the soft Potato on the skin but also create a little bowl or cup for your toppings. Save the pulp to eat later as mashed potatoes or for tomorrows soup.

Set oven to Broil.

Place the Potato Skins - skin down - on a covered broiler pan. With a butter knife butter the Skins with Margarine. if you have smaller potatoes it's OK to not use the whole teaspoon of Margarine. You just want it to be buttery.

Broil the Potato Skins - skin down - for 8 minutes. You just want the edges to be crispy. Then sprinkle Daiya Cheddar over each buttered skin. Put the Skins back in the broiler and broil for 30 seconds. You just want the Daiya to melt.

Serve hot with the Vegan Sour Cream, Bac-Os and Green Onions over the top and a cooler of your favorite beer!