The Ultimate Baked Potato

Use US # 1 Russets only, Idaho or Oregon are the best.
Don't store below 55°F or the starch will turn to sugar.
Wash and scrub well. 3M makes a green scrubby that works well.
Pat dry.
Prick the ends with a fork to let moisture escape during baking. This will make the potato fluffy instead of gummy.
Oil or butter lightly. I like butter for flavor but will use bacon grease if available.
Season lightly with kosher salt and a few twist of the pepper mill on all sides.
Place on baking sheet, spaced 1/2" apart and bake at 400°F for about 1 hour, depending on size. Potato will yield to pressure when done.
Cut open in wave shape with paring knife and squeeze ends. Serve immediately.

In a restaurant, you want to cook the potato 80%, keep it out of the heat and fire as the orders come in. They will take 8-10 minutes to finish and be just like a freshly baked potato. Potatoes that have been baked/steamed in aluminum foil and are being kept warm all day are the ultimate culinary derailment.

The potato should be crisp on the outside and mealy/fluffy on the inside. This will make for a baked potato where you will like the outside better than the inside and that is where the vitamins and flavor are anyway.

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Bake Potato Recipe

4-6 potatoes peeled and sliced thinly in rounds
8 oz. marbled Jack cheese, shredded
butter
cooking spray (canola oil flavor is best)
pepper and salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350.
Soak potato rounds in warm water for about fifteen minutes. Meawhile, grate cheese and spray casserole pan/dish generously with cooking spray.

Drain potatoes and place in casserole pan side-by-side and up all sides, spray potatoes with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 45 minutes, checking to make sure the potatoes do not become too brown.

Mix Ranch dressing with cheese, continue to add Ranch dressing until the mixture is very creamy. Remove potatoes from oven when lightly browned (not dark brown). Spread cheese mixture on top of hot potatoes and dot with butter, especially in the corners. Let stand for 5 minutes, return to oven and bake until cheese is brown and bubbly.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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BAKE POTATO SUPREME

2 large Idaho potatoes, baked
1 egg, hard cooked, peeled, and grated coarsely
4 cups broccoli, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese (reserve a few spoonfuls for topping)
4 strips bacon, sautéed and crumbled or chopped
4 teaspoons butter (2 for each potato)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/3 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Wash and cut up broccoli (optional), set aside.
Scrub potatoes, then rub with a small amount of vegetable, peanut or olive oil. Cook in microwave until fork tender, about 10 minutes, depending on size of potatoes and wattage of your oven.
While potatoes are cooking, steam or simmer broccoli until just tender but still crisp. When broccoli becomes a bright green, drain, remove from heat and return to pan with cover briefly to finish cooking. If broccoli becomes an olive green, it's overcooked.
Cut an oval circle from top of potatoes and scoop out meat while still hot. In a small bowl, mash together with cheese, bacon, and sour cream and butter and coarsely chopped egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return mixture to potatoes.
Top with remaining cheese and broil 5 minutes more, garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Variations: Add 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, dill, or rosemary. Use olive oil instead of butter. Use onion dip instead of sour cream. Use Parmesan cheese instead of mozzarella. Substitute Serrano ham or prosciutto for bacon.

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Whipped Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
more here:www.kraftfoods.com/recipes/SaladsSideDishes
/PotatoSideDishes/WhippedSweetPotatoBake.html

Potato, Onion & Tomato Bake Recipe
more here:www.recipezaar.com/71338

Potato Bake Recipe
more here:www.recipezaar.com/132368
Sweet potato bake with sweet potatoes and orange, along with butter and seasonings. A sweet potato recipe baked in the oven.

Sweet Potato Recipe - Recipe for Sweet Potato Bake
more here:southernfood.about.com/od/sweetpotatocasseroles/r/bl40125e.htm
Try this delicious Mashed Potato Layer Bake recipe.