Cheesy Breadsticks

I was inspired to make these by an episode of The Next Food Network Star from two seasons ago - you know, the one Melissa D'Arabian won. They always list the recipes from the series on the site, except, of course, for this one. So I made it up as I went along and it turned out fantastic!
1/2 loaf Italian bread
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice bread in half lengthwise, then slice each half into strips. Place on baking sheet and toast lightly while making cheese sauce.

Heat butter and garlic powder in small saucepan over medium-high heat. When butter is melted, add flour, stirring continually to make a roux. Once roux is lightly browned, stir in milk. Heat until thickened, then stir in cheese.

Remove bread from oven. Spoon cheese evenly over each piece, then place back in oven. Bake for 5-7 minutes. Turn oven to broil (I used the broiler's low setting, because I have a terrible time with burning things when I broil). Broil bread for another 5 minutes, or until cheese browns.

Mashed Potato Skins

This recipe came from the same episode of Rachael Ray as the Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. My husband LOVES these. They feel like you're being bad, but it's far healthier than eating potato skins in a bar.

I made about half the original recipe, and there was plenty for dinner and lots of leftovers!

1 pound yellow potatoes
1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk (to your desired creaminess)
2 to 3 Tbsp. bacon bits
2 to 3 Tbsp. chives
1/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Put potatoes in a medium sauce pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and season with salt. Cookpotatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes with buttermilk and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chives, cheese, and bacon bits.

Adapted from: 30 Minute Meals