Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
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Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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Step 2
Scrub potatoes under warm water using a vegetable brush.
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Step 3
With a fork, poke holes about 1/2 inch deep in each potato. (You only need to do this three or four times.)
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Step 4
Place the potatoes on the oven's middle rack, spaced evenly. Do not wrap them in foil.
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Step 5
Bake about 1 hour. Smaller potatoes may take less time. Larger potatoes may take more time. You want the potato nice and soft.
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Step 6
After about 40 minutes, poke the potatoes with a fork to test their progress.
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Step 7
When tender, carefully remove the potatoes from the oven, cut lengthwise and serve immediately.
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Step 8
Top potatoes with salt and pepper, plus butter, sour cream, chopped chives or other toppings of your choice.
Comments
al_lently said
on 1/6/2007 Can you help me find those potato-specific nails you mentioned? We've been looking and haven't had any luck.
butterbee said
on 1/2/2007 just perfect, Thank you
Anonymous said
on 2/14/2006 If you're going to use a nail to speed the baking of a potato, don't use galvanized nails! They can emit harmful chemicals when heated. It's best to use nails specially made for this purpose, which can be found in kitchen and gourmet shops.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I have a hard time finding fiber brushes and discovered those green scratchy scrubbing pads work just as well on potatoes. Be careful not to overdo it, they will take the hide right off the potato.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Roll raw potatoes in bacon fat and sprinkle them with sea salt.