A hearty, roasted red potato salad with crisp smoked bacon, green onions and shredded aged cheddar cheese, simply dressed in sour cream. Recipe by Chef Kent Rathbun.

Baked Potato Salad with Aged Cheddar Salad

2 pounds red potatoes, washed
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
4 teaspoons kosher salt - divided use
8 ounces (1/2 pound) smoked bacon, diced and cooked crisp - divided use
1 cup sour cream
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cups (8 ounces) Wisconsin Aged Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss potatoes, canola oil and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in large bowl. Place potatoes on rimmed baking sheet, and bake until potatoes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on size.
3. Meanwhile, fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
4. When potatoes are baked and cool enough to handle, quarter them or cut in large chunks and place in large mixing bowl.
5. Add bacon (reserving 1/3 cup), sour cream, green onions and Wisconsin Aged Cheddar. Season with remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Fold all ingredients carefully, being careful to leave the potatoes chunky.
6. Scatter reserved bacon over. Best served warm.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.