I think I've *finally* figured out how to make the best baked potato

[Aerows]

I love them and I can't remember which DUer turned me on to baking them directly on the oven rack, but that was a fantastic suggestion.

I cooked my delicious spuds at 450 F for 65 minutes. Crispy on the outside, luscious on the inside.

I can't thank whoever suggested cooking them directly on the oven rack enough.

[elleng]

1. Right, much better,

but its been ages since I've taken the time to do it the best way, in the OVEN!

[Aerows]

2. It truly is worth it

You can walk the dog or something while waiting for them to get done. They taste AMAZING.

[elleng]

3. Yes, Aerows, but I'd have to GET a dog!!!

[Aerows]

8. LOL!

[elleng]

9. My daughter has 3.

Maybe I'll borrow one???

[Aerows]

10. LMAO

Borrow one while the potatoes are cooking

[elleng]

11. I'm on it!!!

[Aerows]

12. You will have to designate

your chosen canine as the "potato dog".

[elleng]

15. Right, and I have one in mind,

but she's VERY hairy, and cleaning such stuff is NOT one of my favorite things!!!

[Aerows]

13. Hey this would be a great matchmaking idea

"Want to bake a potato, but don't have a dog to walk?"

"Welcome to potato dog, where we will rent out a canine for you to walk while dinner is baking!"

"You can also use potato dog services when you are baking chicken, cooking in a crock pot, or using a bread machine!"

[elleng]

16. Excellent!

[Aerows]

18. Is it taking too long for the turkey to thaw?

Choose Potato dog and you can walk your worries away.

Thanks, Potato Dog!

[elleng]

20. and get the exercise my doc keeps suggesting!!!

[Aerows]

21. I went off on a weird tangent again, didn't I?

[elleng]

22. Hey, talk about tangents,

I'm on 2 or 3 at the moment, brother visiting, need to get beds for him to use, need to THINK about cleaning the house and having family visit while he's here, need to buy dress for daughter's wedding, and on and on!!!

[Aerows]

24. Thanks for the laughs!

This was one of the most hilarious exchanges I've had on DU, so thank you for that!

Best wishes for this upcoming ceremony, I can't imagine it will be anything short of spectacular, memorable, and gorgeous .

[elleng]

28. Thanks, Aerows;

we do our best!

The wedding, only just 'announced,' and to a select few, will NOT be spectacular, which is one of the good things. Her older sister's was 'spectacular,' and the younger has been trying to distance herself from that ever since! So thanks, and hope for me, please, that I find a decent dress TOMORROW! It may be my only day to do so!

[Aerows]

29. I'm pretty down to earth

so were I to get married, I'd be right along with your younger daughter.

My sister's wedding was akin to a coronation and I hated every minute of it. Hell, even the reception was boring.

You will help her find the right dress. Both of you should go with your instincts as to waht you want, and the dress will leap out at you

You sound like a great mom!

[elleng]

30. SHE already has her dress, Aerows,

ordered and received from Nordstrom, and it's 'perfect.' It's MINE I have to find tomorrow, at brick and mortar stores!

[Aerows]

31. Oh Lord

I do not envy you LMAO! I was practically hog-tied to get the fitting for my sisters wedding (Maid of Honor).

Sorry, elleng, but way better you than me

Remember, you just need to choose something beautiful and understated. The bridesmaids are the one with the challenge!

[elleng]

32. No bridesmaids,

very small and simple event, and she's told me color scheme she'd like me to find, 'autumn,' so will see what happens. For older daughter I had my outfit made, and glad younger daughter wants different colors because I don't like the way it fits at all (in spite of the fact I spent more on that than any other dress I have!

I have seen one with such colors on line, hope I can find it 'live,' and hope it looks decent. (I HATE to shop, so taking friend out for his birthday tomorrow, and probably should have wine before I shop!)

[Aerows]

33. Good luck to you, elleng

and I'm with you. I despise shopping!

[elleng]

34. Thanks!

Pictures after the event!

[Aerows]

35. I look forward to seeing them!

I'm certain it will be a lovely wedding

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

40. Will there be either baked potatoes or dogs as part of the wedding?

[elleng]

42. HA! Guests' choice, Fortinbras,

at a cute little restaurant on the river, at Solomons, MD! I MIGHT have roasted pots with my lobster tail + steak, first time I will have had such in many years, but it's a celebration, right???!!!

[NYC_SKP]

4. I hope you made enough for everyone!

Yum!

[grasswire]

5. how else would you cook one?

Poke the tatoes with a fork, and throw them in the oven.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

6. exactly. I never knew there was another way. Still don't.

[Aerows]

7. I used to wrap them in foil

But the skin doesn't get crisp that way.

Directly blasting them with the heat of the oven makes them come out SO much better

I've even cooked them in the microwave, and that is the worst potato known to mankind.

Now that I know better, it's delightful!

[Snarkoleptic]

14. I like.to wash and.dry them then pierce with a.fork.

Then coat.with olive.oil, sprinkle all sides with kosher.salt.
Place on cookie sheet and bake for 65 to 70 minutes, turning every 20 minutes.

[Aerows]

17. Yes, it is important to turn them

That makes all of the sides come out crispy and delicious. I could eat just the skin by itself it tastes so good, if the inside wasn't so yummy

[Snarkoleptic]

25. Mmmmm... tater skin!

My bride doesn't like the skin, so I get to double down on it.

I also make potato skins-
Bake and let small taters cool
Halve lengthwise and scoop out all but 1/4" of the inside
Brush with butter inside and out, bake at 450 for 15 minutes to crisp.
Add shredded sharp cheddar, bacon bits, then bake another 10 minutes (or until melted)
Top with buttermilk ranch (the kind with mayo and buttermilk) and scallions.

Not at all healthy, but always a crowd pleaser.

[Aerows]

27. I *love*

crispy tater skin on the outside of the potato. It's the best part

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

41. You want unhealthy?

Let me give you my recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo.

[rhett o rick]

48. When my wife makes potato salad she cooks the potatoes

then peels them. I take the peels and fry them in butter. I love potato peels.

[littlewolf]

19. when I am feeling like a special spud I bake em and then

let em cool and then scoop our the potato mix with butter, SC, chives and some
bacon and cheese .. put back into the skins, and at dinner time put back
in the oven till they are hot, and serve. yum

[Auggie]

23. I know someone who also rubs the outsides with olive oil ... makes the skins crispier

[Aerows]

26. I've rubbed them with olive oil before

and they came out less than satisfactory, because olive oil cannot withstand high heat - it breaks down. Butter doesn't. That is why I use butter. I love olive oil for many things, but high heat applications aren't any of them.

[Kali]

36. try bacon grease

[Aerows]

37. Would turkey bacon grease

do the job?

[Kali]

38. I have no idea - is it delicious?

then it might work. I bet duck or goose fat would be good.

[Aerows]

39. I don't eat bacon

but my mother and father eat turkey bacon so I figured I could get some from them.

Just asking LOL

[Nac Mac Feegle]

49. A higher smoke point oil

Such as canola or peanut might be for those that want to go with drippings.

[Aerows]

50. That's what I thought.

I do have peanut oil.

[spinbaby]

43. Here's how to make them even better

Soak them in salt water for a couple of hours before baking. You won't believe how great the skins are when you do this.

[Aerows]

44. OOOh!

I'm going to try that, thanks for the suggestion, spinbaby!

[elleng]

45. OK, you made me do it, Aerows!

I'm back at the cottage, and put my spud in the oven while I was unpacking the car. Still have 15 minutes to go, but it sure smells good!!!

THANKS!!!

[SheilaT]

46. Oh! Oh! Oh!

That sounds fabulous. I'll have to try it.

The skins are the best part. When I was a little girl we'd fight (I was one of six) over the potato skins when Mom made baked potatoes. To this day, when I eat out and a baked potato comes with the meal, I am invariably the only person that also consumes the skins, not just the potato inside. What's wrong with people?

[madokie]

47. Thanks for the tip

If there is a perfect food it has to be the potato. It matters not how they're cooks either as they're good any way fixed.