How to Bake a Potato

Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide

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Introduction

All over the world, the potato is the best-loved vegetable. It is eaten in many forms, and the style of cooking varies according to the geography. The dinner of a baked jacket potato is quite famous, especially in the United States, and is staple across many states. There are many different ways to bake potatoes, here is one.

What You Will Need

Russet potatoes
Olive or canola oil
Salt
Shredded cheese

Tools

Baking oven
Baking tray
Baking tin foil
Fork
Knife
Brush

Instructions

Difficulty Level - Easy

Step One: Choosing The Right Potato

Various kinds of potatoes are available. Although different people prefer different types of potatoes, the best baked potatoes are the russet potatoes. They are the ones that are most often used for the purpose. However, you can experiment with different types and sizes. That is how new recipes are born.

Step Two: Getting Started

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and pick out the potatoes you wish to bake. The quantity depends on the number of people you wish to serve. Two medium potatoes are good for one person. Wash the potatoes, and brush the dirt out without removing the skin. Remove the roots and warts on the potato, and wipe them dry with a kitchen towel.

Step Three: Ready the Potatoes for Baking

Once you have dried the potatoes, check them once again for any defects. Then take a fork and make incisions in the potato by running it all over the vegetable. Once you have done so, coat the potatoes in a mixture of oil and salt. You can put this mixture in a shallow dish, and coat the potatoes on all sides. Then, line the baking tray and put the potatoes in the tin foil; let them bake in the preheated oven for an hour or so, depending on the quantity and size of the potatoes. You can check if they have cooked evenly by poking a fork into the biggest potato. If it goes in smoothly, that means it has cooked well.

Step Four: Garnish And Rebake

Once the potatoes are done, take them out and let them cook a little. When they have cooled a bit, puncture them using a fork or a knife and slit them lengthwise into two, keeping the bottom skin attached. Once you have split the potato, you can garnish it with shredded cheese and pepper and butter. Put the potatoes into the oven until the cheese has melted into a golden brown shade, and serve it hot off the oven. This is just one type of garnish. You can choose to add sprouts, baked beans, vegetables, and a lot of different sauces and mixes to the baked potato. You can also serve them with a plate of salad greens.

Tips

Always wear protective gloves when baking.
Experiment with the recipes and the garnish. Baked potatoes taste wonderful with a wide variety of garnishes.