The Conservative Cave

Interests => All Things Edible (and how to prepare them) => Topic started by: franksolich on July 10, 2013, 05:03:59 PM

Title: baking potatoes
Post by: franksolich on July 10, 2013, 05:03:59 PM
I had a weird hankering for baked potatoes topped off with real butter and sour cream, and so decided to make a couple of them.  Since the stomach seems intolerant of hefty food-packing in torridly hot humid weather, I got just a couple of long-and-thin white potatoes.

According to recipes on the internet, one's supposed to do them at 475 degrees.

And bake them that way for 60 minutes.

I started out doing it that way, but the sensitive nostrils detected something was amiss, that they were being baked too fast and furiously.  So I turned the heat down to 350 degrees, and they were done in half a hour.

What is the ideal temperature for baking potatoes?
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: seahorse513 on July 10, 2013, 05:18:47 PM
I find popping them in the microwave works too... just fork them several times, and they are good to go!!
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: Undies on July 10, 2013, 05:21:08 PM
I puncture a medium Russet potato once or twice, massage it with butter, coat it with coarse sea salt, wrap it in aluminum foil, and bake it at 300 degrees for about two hours.
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: Undies on July 10, 2013, 05:22:25 PM
If I am in a hurry, I start the potato in the micro wave - about five minutes on high - before wrapping and installing in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: chitownchica on July 10, 2013, 05:33:08 PM
I rub them with oil  and put kosher salt on the outside. I used to put them in foil, but lately I've been cooking them w/o foil. It makes the skin crispy.

I cook them at 450 for 30-45 minutes. Sometimes I start them in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and then put in the oven to reduce cooking time. I don't know the exact time to cook, so I test them after 30ish minutes by poking them with a fork to see if they are getting soft.

Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: marv on July 10, 2013, 08:02:47 PM
I'm old fashioned. I pick up just a plain old baking potato, put the nails in each end, and bake at 500º for an hour. Good to go!

When I want to get fancy, I slice the baked potato in half lengthwise, scrape out the meat with out tearing the skin, and mash - as in mashed potatoes with milk, butter, etc. Then I spoon the potato back into the shells and lay a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese on top and bake them some more until the cheese melts.

Good for two along side a steak.

A toaster oven makes things easier.
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: Dori on July 11, 2013, 11:24:17 AM
I just wash them, stab them a couple of times and bake at 400 deg.  The time depends upon how big they are.  Usually about an hour.  I like to throw in extras too, for making fried potatoes the next day.

I have pre started them in the micro for a couple of minutes, if I didn't think they would cook in time.


My daughter puts her's in foil and then with a little pressure, rolls them back and forth to mush up the insides.  Then she eats her's with ranch dressing.
I like the standard butter, chives and sour cream.  Or twice baked by whipping the insides with butter, chives and some grated cheese.  Put back into the skins and back into the over to heat.
Now I'm hungry.

Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: Chris_ on July 11, 2013, 11:27:41 AM
I bake mine at 350º or 400º after poking holes in them to make sure they don't explode.  Brush them with oil and sprinkle on a little salt.

I roasted some the other night... cut it up into pieces and sprnkled some garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper on them.  It went well with my roasted chicken.
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: Thor on July 11, 2013, 08:45:47 PM
I've only ever had potatoes explode in a convection oven. I NEVER poke holes in them. I use Russetts and if  want a crispy outer skin, 400° for an hour. No holes, no baking nails, etc., just the potato. I do them in the microwave more often. For the large baking potatoes, it takes about 8-9 mins in my microwave.
Title: Re: baking potatoes
Post by: debk on July 12, 2013, 11:51:34 AM
One poke with a fork, may or may not coat with oil depending on what I'm going to do with them, bake at 350-400 for about an hour.