Perfect potatoes with crispy golden skin and a hot, fluffy center.
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Equipment
1 knife
1 fork
1 basting brush
1 cutting board
1 baking sheet
Ingredients
4largepotatoesRusset (also called Idaho)
2tablespoonvegetable oil
2tablespooncoarse salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F and prep potatoes by scrubbing off any dirt, patting them dry and poking them 6-8 times with a fork to vent.
Brush oil on the outside of each potato.
Sprinkle with coarse salt. Use your hands to make sure the salt is rubbed in and not falling off.
Place potatoes directly on middle rack of the oven or on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes.
If you have not yet, brush potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt. Then, bake for 10 more minutes or until a fork will insert easily into the center of the potato. If it is still a little firm, cook for longer, checking every 5 minutes.
Notes
Remember, there is no need to wrap your potatoes in foil. Doing so, might actually make your potatoes soggy because the steam from the potato cannot escape. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how these potatoes turn out.
Once cooked, while still hot, make a large slice down the center of the potato and fluff up the center of the potato a little. Add toppings that melt first, like butter or cheese. Then add some more toppings like sour cream, chives, bacon or any of your favorite toppings.