How to Make a Perfect Baked Potato

Making a great baked potato is a lost art. Real baked potatoes are delicious, requiring very little in the way of added fats and seasonings, and are extremely easy to make. But a baked potato does take quite a while to make. If you have the time and are willing to do it right, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how good a baked potato can be.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Salt (coarsely ground is best)
• Cooking oil
• Medium potato
• Fork
• Toppings of your choice

1. Wash the potato thoroughly. Use lukewarm water and wash the entire surface of the potato, scrubbing away any dirt or loose material from the surface of the potato's skin.

2. Perforate the potato's skin. Use the fork and punch holes in the skin of the potato about every inch or so in order to allow steam to vent.

3. Dry the potato. Make sure that you dry it well with a clean towel.

4. Rub the potato with oil. Use the cooking oil of your choice and lightly coat the entire skin of the potato.

5. Liberally sprinkle salt on the skin of the potato.

6. Place the potato directly on oven rack. Make sure to first heated the oven to 325 degrees F.

7. Bake the potato for roughly 90 minutes.

8. Test for doneness. The baked potato is fully cooked when a fork will pierce through its center with minimal pressure.

9. Split in half and serve with the toppings of your choice, salt and pepper.

Tips & Warnings

• Some great baked potato toppings include salsa, butter, sour cream, bacon, ranch dressing, blue cheese, blue cheese dressing, guacamole, cheese, chives and anything else that sounds good to you.
• Failure to adequately vent your baked potato can result in the potato exploding during the baking process, so be careful.
• Don't cover your baked potato with foil while it's in the oven!

[kittycooks]

on 4/28/2009 It is so easy to make a perfect baked potato! I have learned to put sea salt right in my dish of olive oil and rub on the baked potato together. Way easier than trying to sprinkle salt after my hands are oily! ;)

[Alisiane]

on 9/22/2008 I loved baked potatoes as a kid but somehow as an adult I took to only having them when we go out to eat. Thanks for reinserting an old favorite into my cooking repertoire! :-)

[showpup]

on 8/26/2008 I've never tried step 5 before. Thanks for the tip.