Jacket Potatoes

Curry_Queen

Quasar wrote:

If you put a skewer through the potato lengthwise, the metal will heat up and pass the heat directly into the potato which will bake more speedily. You can still cook it to Delia's standards, but saving time and oven energy.

Unless the oven's being used to cook other things at the same time

I must admit, I would feel rather guilty at wasting so much heat/energy if all I was cooking were the spuds so I do try to make sure something else goes in at the same time, even if it's just a casserole for the freezer, or maybe some batches of biscuits/scones or whatever to make the most of it

dora37

Hi,

I fancy making baked potatoes for lunch tomorrow, as we no longer have a microwave, I want to bake them in the oven so they have the lovely thick skin on them.

As I haven't made them in the oven for years, any tips (wrapped/unwrapped/length of time/rub anything into the skin etc)?

Many thanks.

ngaio

Hi dora,

Wash spuds and dry with paper towel. stab 'em all over several times with a fork (so they don't explode in oven) rub olive oil into them, salt too if you like, but not too much, then stick them (unwrapped) on racks in oven.

Cook at about 180C/350F/gas mark 6 for about an hour (depends how big or small they are, stick a knife into them to check. they go all crispy and thick skinned!

Good trick my sister taught me is if you want them all fluffy inside when you open them, cover with a teatowel and bash them with your fist - it breaks up the starchy potato flesh and makes them more fluffy than if you just cut them open.
Enjoy!

Jay-Jay_4

There's a thread HERE with some tips

dora37

Jay-Jay wrote:

There's a thread HERE with some tips

Thanks Jay-Jay, I did do a search first, however didn't bring anything relevant up.

Can't wait for lunch tomorrow!

rubytuesday

Baking potatoes are half price in tesco at the moment. Definatly oil and salt and cover them with a tea towel after opening so the steam doesn't escape. Didn't know you were supposed to punch them though will give that ago. Had baked potatoes with butter cheese and and prosciutto reduced to 20p from £1.79 in tescos. Kids had theirs with baked beans.

Jay-Jay_4

dora37 wrote:

Thanks Jay-Jay, I did do a search first, however didn't bring anything relevant up.

Can't wait for lunch tomorrow!

In that case... THIS thread may be of some interest

nearlyrich

If you are watching your weight or just want to save a few calories you get exactly the same results with a couple of sprays of Frylight instead of the olive oil;)

Dobie

Hi
I love them baked like ngaio suggests then halved & the insides scooped out & mashed with grated cheese.
Then pile the insides back into the crispy skins, grate more cheese on top & pop back in the oven 'til the cheese melts.
YUM! Much nicer than just putting cheese on top methinks.

dora37

Jay-Jay wrote:

In that case... THIS thread may be of some interest

Sorry Jay-Jay, what I meant was I searched BEFORE you posted your link and couldn't find anything (obviously me not searching correctly)....both your links were useful :T