Must I admit that growing up, I used to always make “baked potatoes” in the microwave?
And we all know how those turn out, right? Soggy potato skin and a cold center. Perhaps it was because I was so used to eating foil-wrapped (which causes them to be steamed rather than baked) potatoes at restaurants, that it sadly became my idea of a perfectly baked potato, and not one with crispy skin and a soft, light center.
Trying to achieve a perfectly baked potato is an art in itself. But there are few simple tricks you can do to make sure that yours turn out perfect.
Use the right kind of potato.
- Starchy potatoes and russet potatoes are known to be great for baking. If you’re not sure what kind you’re getting, most supermarkets label their potatoes as either “baking” or “frying” potatoes. Choose the baking type for this recipe.
- Choose potatoes of similar sizes. Getting potatoes of the same size will help ensure that they will all be cooked and ready at the same time. And, when they’re all ready at the same time, you’re less likely to feel the need to wrap your finished potatoes in foil. As mentioned earlier, wrapping your baked potatoes in foil turns the skin into a soggy mess.
How do I serve baked potatoes?
I’m a very simple girl, and love them swimming in a sea of butter and finished with a sprinkle of salt. Of course, you can always add some sour cream and top it with chopped chives. Melted cheese (a lot of it) and bacon bits (also a lot of it) is another favorite, especially with kids.
Hungry yet? Let’s start making some baked potatoes!
Ingredients:
- Small to medium (starchy type) potatoes
- Olive oil, butter or ghee
- Salt
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Rinse the potatoes while waiting for the oven to be the right temperature. If you have a brush, scrubbing them under running water, to help remove any residual dirt, can be very helpful.
STEP 2: Brush the potatoes with olive oil, butter or melted ghee, and sprinkle with salt.
STEP 3: Place on a rack in the oven, and bake until the potatoes are soft when you press on the center. This usually takes around an hour. It’s also a good idea to place a baking pan underneath them to catch any drips of oil.
STEP 4: Once the potatoes are done, serve your baked potatoes however you like. If you plan on serving them with cheese, slit the potatoes open and fill with your cheese of choice, and place back into the still warm oven until the cheese melts. Cheesy baked potatoes are also great with bacon sprinkled on top. But isn’t everything?
Do you want more DIY recipes that make you look like a fancy 5-star chef? Click on the links below.
13 DIY Projects & Recipes For A Backyard BBQ
Easy Finger Foods | Recipes and Ideas for Your Party
How To Make Pancakes |Breakfast Recipes
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
