Mom'S Famous Half-Shell Potatoes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

FOR PRE-BAKING
vegetable oil, to coat potatoes before baking
kosher salt, to sprinkle on potatoes before baking
aluminum foil, to wrap potatoes before baking
POTATOES
6 medium russet potatoes
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 tablespoons real mayonnaise
1/3 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons finely chopped vidalia onions
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for filling)
kosher salt, to taste
finely ground pepper, to taste
TOPPING
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (for topping)
paprika (for garnish)

Preparation

PREHEAT oven to 400\u00b0F with rack in the center position.
WASH the freshest smooth-skinned blemish-free russet potatoes; PIERCE each potato evenly 4 times using a fork; COAT each potato with vegetable oil; SPRINKLE each potato lightly with kosher salt; WRAP each potato with aluminum foil.
PLACE potatoes on center rack in oven; BAKE potatoes for 1 hour.
REMOVE potatoes from oven; ALLOW to cool just slightly; LOWER oven temperature to 350\u00b0F.
REMOVE foil from one potato at a time with one oven mitt; CUT potato lengthwise on a cutting board with a serrated knife across the flattest, widest surface; HOLD hot potato in oven mitt; SCOOP put out potato pulp carefully from each half into a large bowl, leaving enough skin and pulp in each shell to support filling; PLACE each shell cut-side up on a cookie sheet; REPEAT same process with remaining potatoes, working quickly and carefully while potatoes are still warm.
WHIP potato pulp well using a potato masher or fork; ADD 2 tablespoons softened butter, 2 tablespoons real mayonnaise, 1/3 cup whole milk, kosher salt and finely ground pepper to taste (more milk may be added for potatoes to remain stiff yet fluffy; ADJUST seasoning if needed; STIR in 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; FOLD in chopped onion last, just until combined.
FILL each potato shell on the baking sheet evenly until all of the potato mixture is used; TOP each potato with sharp cheddar cheese, divided evenly between potatoes; SPRINKLE potatoes lightly with paprika (smoked paprika is good); potatoes may be covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
BAKE potatoes on the center rack in oven, for 15 minutes.
COOL baked potatoes for 3-5 minutes.
SERVE and enjoy!