baked potatoes!

[maewyn]

Super easy method for baking potatoes in the microwave. Quick, simple, doesn't require many spoons. Does require some knife work (two cuts per potato, assuming no blemishes to cut out) and some dexterity for unwrapping.

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Wash potatoes and scrub the skin a bit, taking care to remove any sprouting eyes. I usually dig them out with my thumbnail, but a vegetable peeler could do the same if you don't have much finger strength. You may need to cut bad spots out of the potato, if there are any.

Make two deep cross-wise cuts in each potato, like cutting it into quarters, but don't quite go all the way through the potato. If you do anyway, it's no big deal, you've just got potato quarters instead of a whole potato. The cuts are to prevent potato-splosion.

Wrap potatoes individually in plastic wrap (or, if you don't have the dexterity to wrap or unwrap the plastic, you can use a zipper-sealed sandwich bag). Pop potatoes in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes per potato.

Let cool a bit and unwrap the plastic. This is usually the most complicated step in the process.

Mash with fork, then drench in butter and salt & pepper, sour cream and bacon bits, or other toppings of your choice.

Comments

[harpers_child]

stabbing the potato with a fork or knife a couple times will also prevent exploding. i usually just put mine on a plate when sticking it in the microwave.

[jumpuphigh]

That's what I do as well.

[lilacsigil]

I don't usually wrap mine, which results in a slightly tougher skin that separates from the potato a bit, but otherwise is very similar in cooking time and taste. Mmm, potatoes!

[vass]

I've done this without the plastic wrap and the knife - I just stabbed it with a fork. Worked fine.

[madelienegrey]

I do this sometimes, stabbing mine with a fork, then smoothering the skin with butter (or just roll the potato in the butter), and then wrapping it. This version is not recommended for lowering your cholesterol, though. :)

[amadi]

I do the stabbing, then put the thinnest coat of olive oil on the skin. It only takes a couple of drops, the skin comes out tender and flavorful and you've got the heart healthy aspect going on that you miss with butter. Of course, I then butter the potato, so maybe it's a tradeoff. :)