Baked potatoes are beyond delicious when cooked the right way. Learning how to cook a baked potato perfectly is an essential part of it. Different approaches with different ingredients make it overwhelming to determine the best way.
The origin of baked potatoes comes from Peru. In fact, the Inca Indians were said to have come up with the baked potato. Today, it's a staple of Americanized food. You can find baked potatoes in restaurants and as a meal to cook at home. The best part is that many diverse ways to cook them exist. The key is knowing how to cook them so you can enjoy them best.
This guide shows you three different ways to cook baked potatoes. You'll see the different recipes, how they taste different, and other dishes that complement baked potatoes.
What Kind of Baked Potatoes Are There?
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There are over two hundred kinds of potatoes sold in the United States. However, not all of them are used the same. From King Edward potatoes to Yukon Gold potatoes, you'll discover that many different kinds of potatoes are used for grilled, mashed, or baked potatoes.
However, the best and most popular baked potatoes are Russet potatoes. They are high in starch and low in moisture, making them the best for baking. While you can experiment with other potatoes, you often can't go wrong with Russet potatoes.
When you do learn how to bake potatoes, you'll be able to reap the tremendous health benefits that come with them. For instance, they are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which support your immunity. Additionally, they are rich in potassium, which is ideal for supporting your heart and nervous system.
Microwave the Baked Potato
The fastest way to make baked potatoes is through the microwave. It may not have the crispness that's found in the oven, but it's still tasty when done correctly.
All you need to do is bake the potato in the microwave for eight minutes. This may also depend on the quality of your microwave and how well it heats food. Here are the exact steps to making baked potatoes in the microwave.
- Scrub the potato with water to clean off any dirt before cooking.
- Prick the potato with a fork before putting it in the microwave.
- Microwave the potato for 4-5 minutes on each side.
Now your baked potato is ready! Cut it up and put whatever toppings you want on it.
Oven Baked Potato
The oven-baked potato is perfect if you're looking for ideal crispiness. Baking it creates a crispiness that is missing when you microwave it. The drawback is that it takes much longer to bake in an oven than the microwave method.
The first step to making your baked potatoes in the oven is to preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
After the oven is preheated, follow these steps to make baked potatoes in the oven.
- Scrub the potato with water to clean off any dirt before cooking.
- Prick the potato with a fork before putting it in the microwave.
- Bake for 25 minutes and brush with butter.
- Bake for an additional 25 minutes.
Grilled Baked Potato
Another popular way to make baked potatoes is by grilling them. It makes the potatoes extra crispy. However, grilling them can cause them to cook unevenly. Make sure your grill is set to 350 degrees and doesn't fluctuate.
Here are the steps to grilling baked potatoes:
- Scrub the potato with water to clean off any dirt before cooking.
- Prick the potato with a fork before putting it in the microwave.
- Cover the baked potatoes with foil.
- Cook for 55 minutes.
Different Recipes to Make With White Rice
Learning to cook baked potatoes is a great way to enjoy this food with other delicious meals. For example, if you want to know what other foods, like salads or hot dishes, complement baked potatoes, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of options.
Here are the most popular kinds of dishes to have with baked potatoes.
- Grilled chicken
- Caesar Salad
- Brisket
- Ribs
- Steak
- Pan Fried Trout
- Mississippi Pot Roast
How Should You Cook Your Baked Potato?
There's no wrong way to cook a baked potato. It ultimately comes down to your time and how you like to eat your baked potato. You can enjoy it with more crispiness in the oven or the grill. Or, if you're short on time, you can enjoy it in the microwave.
Either way, you'll discover that cooking a baked potato isn't overly complicated. There are various ways to do it that can offer you a tasty way to eat this meal.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Olga Miltsova/Shutterstock.com.