Potatoes in Jackets

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1
  Thoroughly wash the potatoes and then cook them in salted water until soft. This takes about 25 minutes. You can easily tell they are soft by inserting a sharp knife into the potato – it should go through like wax.
• 2
  Drain and let them evaporate uncovered for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
• 3
  Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Cut thin slices from the cheese, barely the size of a child's palm. Slice each potato lengthwise about two-thirds deep, insert the cheese, wrap with a slice of bacon, and pierce crosswise with a short sprig of rosemary to hold everything together.
• 4
  Arrange the decorated potatoes in a baking dish (no need to grease it, the bacon will release enough fat) and place in the oven. Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes, until the cheese starts to melt and the bacon turns golden.