How to Bake a Potato
Baking a potato can seem to take an exceptionally long time. It can also get done very quickly if you need to. A comedian once joked that he would throw a potato in the oven just in case he wanted to eat a baked potato later this week. Hopefully, that is not how you approach baked potatoes, and using these methods, you can cook them like a pro!
The Oven
Most commonly, baked potatoes are cooked in an oven. Bake them at 400° F for about one hour, or until tender. Prior to putting them in the oven, be sure to wash the potato with cold water. Also, be sure to poke holes in the potato with a fork to prevent it from bursting during cooking. Generally, you do not want to wrap potatoes in aluminum foil for baking. Foil will hold in moisture and steams the potatoes, resulting in a “boiled” taste and texture. Turn the potatoes over halfway through the baking time to prevent browning of the undersides where they touch the baking tray or oven rack.
The Microwave
To “bake” potatoes in the microwave, wash with cold water but don’t dry them. Pierce the skin with a fork, and then wrap them in microwave-safe paper towel and place one inch apart on a microwave rack. Cook according to your microwave’s guidelines, turning potatoes once during cooking. Don’t exceed the recommended cooking time because potatoes will continue to cook after they’re removed from the microwave or oven.
The Grill
A third way to try to bake your potato would be on the grill. This works really well if you are having a potato with something else you are cooking on the grill. To prepare the potato, wash the potato and poke a few holes with a fork. Cover the potato in olive oil and sprinkle some salt on it. Double wrap the potato in foil to protect the potato. Place the covered potato onto a preheated grill (around 350 degrees F) and cook for around 30-40 minutes, or until tender. To speed up this process, you can put the potato in the microwave for a few minutes before wrapping and putting them onto the grill!
When are they done?
Potatoes are done if they are tender when pierced with a fork and it slides out easily. You can check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 210 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. You can also test for doneness by gently squeezing the middle of the potato (using a pot holder or oven mitt). If the potato is hard, bake it a little longer. However, be careful not to over bake, or the under-skin will dry up.
Serving your potato
People can put just about anything on a potato, and it can be served with a variety of foods to round out a meal. My personal preference is to have it with a steak and some veggies! Try topping it with some butter and cheese for a great side to your next meal! You can even put the potato back in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese before eating!
