Cooking Essentials
The Technique
Baked Potatoes
One of my favorite side dishes as a child was a simple baked potato. A premium carrier for generous servings of butter & sour cream, it was the skin of the potato I loved most. Back then, potatoes were still baked– not cooked in the microwave & what has been lost over time is the earthy flavor of the outer skin that develops from a spell of oven time. My mother would purchase a 5-pound bag so the petite portion made it a cinch to polish off the entire potato from the inside out. The first holiday I spent with my husband’s family, his mother prepared a lovely dinner with an oven baked potato. Not even thinking twice, I savored the buttery interior then carefully sliced the potato skin as if it were a fine cut of meat. You would have thought I was a football player storing carbs & calories for an upcoming game. I paused for a moment thinking how tasty the entire meal had been & when I glanced around the table all eyes were on me. Half smiles, half raised brows. His sister started laughing, “You must have really enjoyed that potato. If we had known, we could have made two for you.” My eyes popped. Cheeks burned. My mother & her table manners flashed through my mind– was I breaking any etiquette codes by eating the potato skin? Probably. It may seem old school to bake a mess of potatoes in the oven for a simple family supper but I think you will find them to be so much better.
Traditional Oven Baked Potatoes
makes 6 servings
6 {7-oz} russet potatoes
Butter
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
Sour cream
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the exterior of the potatoes with a vegetable brush. Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Place on a half sheet pan. Bake 1 hour & 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender & give easily when gently pressed with your fingers or a fork. Slice the potato in the center with a paring knife. Press the ends towards the center to split open. Fluff with a fork. Top with butter, kosher salt & pepper. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Traditional Oven Baked Potatoes
A relatively dry, starchy root vegetable with an earthy flavor, russet potatoes are an ideal choice for baking applications & pair beautifully with beef cuts such as flank & skirt steak. Split & lift the potato up with a fork to enjoy the signature light & fluffy texture once baked. However, shortcuts in the kitchen can be vital to getting meals on the table for your family. If time is tight, the potatoes can be cooked in the microwave quickly. You won’t get that tasty outer skin but you can expect the wonderful texture all the same from these low moisture potatoes. Pierce two potatoes several times with a fork, then place them directly on the turntable. Microwave on High for 5 to 6 minutes or until tender & give easily when gently pressed with your fingers or a fork.
The Technique
A few pieces of equipment will be necessary in order to complete the task. read through the recipe before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the exterior of the potatoes with a vegetable brush. Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Place on a half sheet pan. Bake 1 hour & 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender & give easily when gently pressed with your fingers or a fork. Slice the potato in the center with a paring knife.
No. 2
Press the ends towards the center to split open.
No. 3
Fluff with a fork.
No. 4
Top with butter, kosher salt & pepper. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
The Tune
“Cool Disposition” Sonny Boy Williamson
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Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
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