The Perfect Baked Potato

A Potato. It's unassuming. A chameleon. The side kick.  The ultimate wing man.  You can dress up or down a potato any which way and it will add just the right amount.  


Consider this.... cheese... alone, it's just cheese... but put it on a baked potato and wow!  
Sour cream... alone, it's just sour cream... but put it on a baked potato and mmmmmm! 
Butter.... alone, it can't even be eaten alone... but put it on a baked potato and it's heaven! 
Bacon... alright, alone bacon is pretty darn good... but on a baked potato... EVEN BETTER! 

You see where I'm going with this right? 


So here's the deal... I could actually write a recipe to tell you how to bake a potato, but that would be kinda silly!  I mean everyone knows how to bake a potato right?  Oh... that's right... WRONG!!!!!  Believe it or not, there is a technique to the perfect baked potato.  One that's not too dry and not hard as a rock... but soft, creamy and oh so delicious.  Follow these simple steps and you'll be in tater heaven tonight! 


For the record, I think a potato can be an excellent meal all in it's own right.  It's not my wing man... it's not my side kick... it's my main squeeze!  I love a good baked potato with all the fixings!  It was my dinner tonight! 

The Perfect Baked Potato

When selecting your potato, look for one that has an even brown color to it.  Make sure that it doesn't have any dents, bruises or is growing a science project full of sprouts! 


Try to pick ones that are all the same size so that when you're baking them, they'll all cook evenly at the same time. 


Scrub your potato under cold water to remove all the excess dirt, then dry with a paper towel. 


Pierce your potato with a fork a few times on each side.... if you don't pierce it you run the risk of your tater exploding in the oven!


** Now this is where it becomes the perfect potato!**  Get a bit of vegetable oil and rub it all over the skin of your potato.  Then sprinkle the entire potato with coarse salt. 


Wrap your potato in aluminum foil tightly and fold in the ends.  


Cook in your oven for about one hour (depending on size... larger ones may take more time... smaller ones less... you guys are smart! You'll figure that one out!)  on 400 degrees.  You'll know your potato is done when you give it a little squeeze (with a pot holder of course) and it gives a little bit!

Topping Suggestions! 

Cheese, Broccoli, Bacon, Sour Cream, Salsa, Chili, Blue Cheese & Bacon, Pulled Pork BBQ,  Go Tex/Mex... a can of beans, salsa, sour cream, scallions & top with jack cheese!  Cottage Cheese, Jalapeno, or my personal favorite... Butter & Salt! 




It's pretty much endless what you can do with a baked potato!