NFL Potato Skins: Super Bowl Snack Genius!

So exactly one year ago, I'm flipping through Food Network Magazine when I stop dead in my tracks. I turn the magazine lengthwise, similar to how I can only imagine a man would to an issue of Playboy, and start to "Oooh" and "Ahhh." My husband, Bryan, looks at me curiously, finally asking "What food needs an entire vertical spread of a magazine?"

"Potato skins. Customized for each of the NFL's 32 teams," I replied.

"Oohhh," he said. Followed by a grab for the magazine and a "Lemme see!"

It was then that he understood. Simply put, the idea of creating custom potato skin recipes reflecting a city's local ingredients, flavors and food favorites is brilliant. Totally brilliant. Which is exactly why I'm sharing this post again, two years later. It's a classic, just like these potato skins. So even if your favorite team isn't in the Super Bowl, find the recipe and try it anyway. At least they can be at your Big Game party in spirit!

Here's how you make each of the potato skins:

General directions: Pierce 4 large russet potatoes with a fork. Bake directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool, then quarter lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Brush both sides with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake, skin-side up, at 450 degrees until crisp, about 15 minutes. Add your favorite team toppings. (For cheesy skins, flip the baked shells over before topping, sprinkle with 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and bake an extra 5 minutes.)

AFC TEAMS

1. Baltimore Ravens

Chesapeake Butter Potato Skins: Melted butter, Old Bay Seasoning, grated parmesan and chopped chives

2. Buffalo Bills

Hot Wing Potato Skins: Blue cheese dressing, cayenne hot sauce, and chopped celery and carrots

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Five-Way Chili Potato Skins: Cincinnati-style chili, kidney beans, chopped onion, shredded cheddar and oyster crackers

4. Cleveland Browns

All the Way Potato Skins: Deli-sliced corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, grated horseradish and spicy mustard; bake 5 more minutes

5. Denver Broncos

Western Omelet Potato Skins: Sauteed green pepper, onion and ham, paprika and chopped parsley on cheesy skins

6. Houston Texans

Tex-Mex Potato Skins: Refried beans, crumbled chorizo, shredded monterey jack, hot sauce and pickled jalapenos

7. Indianapolis Colts

Fried Pork Potato Skins: Mayonnaise mixed with mustard and hot sauce, sliced fried pork cutlets, chopped tomato and diced red onion

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Deviled Crab Potato Skins: Crab salad, cayenne pepper and paprika; bake 5 more minutes

9. Kansas City Chiefs

KC BBQ Potato Skins: Pulled pork, barbecue sauce and sliced scallions on cheesy skins

10. Miami Dolphins

Cubano Potato Skins: Mayonnaise, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and sliced pickles; bake 5 more minutes

11. New England Patriots

Maple-Bacon Potato Skins: Apple butter, crisp bacon and maple syrup on cheesy skins

12. New York Jets

Deli Pastrami Potato Skins: Deli-sliced pastrami, Russian dressing and dill pickle slices on cheesy skins

13. Oakland Raiders

Loaded Tacos Potato Skins: Shredded chicken mixed with taco seasoning, queso blanco, sour cream, salsa, pickled jalapeños and cilantro

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steel City Sausage Potato Skins: Sauteed onions and kielbasa, sauerkraut and grated Swiss cheese; bake 5 more minutes

15. San Diego Chargers

California Fresh Potato Skins: Guacamole, sprouts and shredded monterey jack

16. Tennessee Titans

Nashville Side Potato Skins: Creamy mac and cheese; bake 5 more minutes

NFC TEAMS

1. Arizona Cardinals

Southwestern Nachos Potato Skins: Salsa, pickled jalapenos, chopped scallions and cilantro, and sour cream on cheesy skins

2. Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Peach Potato Skins: Peach preserves mixed with yellow mustard, cubed ham and canned fried onions on cheesy skins

3. Carolina Panthers

Country Ham Potato Skins: Ham salad, chopped parsley and minced pickles on cheesy skins

4. Chicago Bears

The Works Potato Skins: Sweet pickle relish, dill pickle spear, pickled peppers, yellow mustard, chopped onion and tomato, celery salt and poppy seeds

5. Dallas Cowboys

Texas Chili Potato Skins: Chunky chili, grated longhorn cheddar, chopped onion, sour cream and hot sauce

6. Detroit Lions

Coney Dog Potato Skins: Sliced hot dogs, chili, diced onions, shredded cheddar and yellow mustard

7. Green Bay Packers

Wisconsin Beer Brats Potato Skins: Beer cheese spread, sliced grilled bratwurst and brown mustard

8. Minnesota Vikings

Cheeseburgers Potato Skins: Grilled mini burgers, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles on cheesy skins

9. New Orleans Saints

Muffuletta Potato Skins: Assorted sliced Italian deli meats, provolone, olive salad and sliced pepperoncini

10. New York Giants

Sausage and Peppers Potato Skins: Sauteed onions, green peppers and Italian sausage and fresh mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

11. Philadelphia Eagles

Cheesesteaks Potato Skins

Sauteed onions and roast beef, Worcestershire sauce and Cheez Whiz; bake 5 more minutes

12. San Francisco 49ers

Frisco Gourmet Potato Skins: Artichokes pureed with goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil; bake 5 more minutes

13. Seattle Seahawks

Pacific Salmon Potato Skins: Flaked grilled salmon, sauteed wild mushrooms, and chopped parsley and chives

14. St. Louis Rams

Toasted Ravioli Potato Skins: Ricotta mixed with parmesan and chopped basil, tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mojo Shrimp Potato Skins: Shrimp sauteed with rum and mojo sauce

16. Washington Redskins

Red-Slaw Skins Potato Skins: Red-cabbage slaw and crumbled bacon on red potato skins