The Baked Potato Recipes

BEST BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F and position racks in top and bottom thirds.
• Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water.
• Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking.
• Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil.
• Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven.
• Place a baking sheet (I put a piece of aluminum foil) on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
• Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft.
• Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another.
• It will pop right open.
• But watch out, there will be some steam.
• NOTE: If you're cooking more than 4 potatoes, you'll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

THE BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
• Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another. It will pop right open. But watch out, there will be some steam. Add toppings if using.

PERFECT BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato, and pierce the skin several times with a knife or fork. Rub the skin with olive oil, then with salt.
• Place the potato in the preheated oven, and bake for 90 minutes, or until slightly soft and golden brown. Slice the potato down the center, and serve with butter and black pepper. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top, if desired.

SLICED BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes only if the skin is tough, otherwise, just scrub and rinse them.
• Cut potatoes vertically, into thin slices, but not all the way through. Lay a spoon next to the potato to prevent knife from cutting all the way through. (A wooden spoon works great.).
• Put potatoes in a baking dish. Fan them slightly.
• Sprinkle with salt, and drizzle with the melted butter. Sprinkle with herbs.
• Bake potatoes at 425 degrees for about 50 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Sprinkle with cheeses.
• Bake potatoes for another 10-15 minutes until lightly browned, cheeses are melted, and potatoes are soft inside. Check for doneness with a fork.
• To microwave: Prepare potatoes as above, and place in a microwave safe dish or pan.
• Sprinkle with melted butter and herbs.
• Microwave on High power for 10 minutes, rearranging the potatoes after 5 minutes if your microwave does not have an automatic turn table.
• Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese and Parmesan cheese.
• Microwave for another 4-6 minutes on High power until cheeses are melted, and potatoes are soft.
• Sprinkle with salt, and serve.
• Note: You may substitute 2-3 teaspoons dried herbs of your choice for the fresh, if you prefer.
• After the potatoes are done, a little sour cream on top, sprinkled with bacon bits might be good.

BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Scrub potatoes under running water; dry them, and rub the skin of each with the oil and a little salt. Pierce the skin of each in three or four places with the tines of a fork.
• Place the potatoes in the oven, and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the potatoes, until they offer no resistance when a knife is inserted in their centers.
• Remove the potatoes from the oven, slice them open down the middle, apply a tablespoon of butter to each one and serve immediately.