Cajun-Stuffed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 6 medium Yukon gold or small baking potatoes (about 3 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
• 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 pounds frozen cooked crawfish meat, thawed

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. 2. Pierce potatoes with a fork; brush with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Bake at 450° for 50 minutes or until tender. Remove potatoes from oven; cool slightly. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, and scoop pulp out of skins, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Place pulp in a large bowl; coarsely mash pulp.
3. 3. Preheat broiler to high.
4. 4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 5 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to pan; sauté for 4 minutes. Add garlic and next 4 ingredients (through red pepper); sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add cheese, butter, and herbs, stirring until smooth.
5. 5. Stir cheese mixture and crawfish into potato pulp. Place 1/2 cup crawfish mixture in each potato shell. Arrange stuffed potatoes on a baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes or until browned.