How to Bake the Perfect Potato
Thank you to Weight Watchers for getting my new year started off right. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.
Today we’re going to talk about how to bake the perfect potato. While it does require a bit of a time commitment, this method simply has no rival. Also: the biggest secret to a fluffy potato is opening it wide when it’s hot, rather than allowing the steam to be trapped inside.
Last week I told you about my new healthier eating plan with the new Simple Start program, and I just have to tell you: I’m loving it! The Simple Start is really just that: simple. It includes two weeks of healthy recipes that helps get you off to a great start, and while there is some planning involved on your part, the app makes it so easy. All you have to do is select your meals and snacks like I show you below, make your list, and get eating!
I have to be honest, snacking is one of my biggest downfalls when I’m trying to maintain a healthy diet. While I love, love, LOVE fruit, it’s extra hard for me to reach for an apple or banana in the winter when I’m already freezing. So I was thrilled to see that stuffed baked potatoes were on the Simple Start plan for a snack. Even better, these potatoes are stuffed with salsa and fat-free sour cream, and we all know how I feel about those flavors! 😉
While we’re here, let’s talk about how to bake the perfect potato. I’ll be honest: there were times in my younger days when I called my mom for tips on how to get the perfect oven baked potato. You know – crispy skin on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside. So I figured maybe there were others out there searching for those same tricks.
Quite honestly, there aren’t too many “tricks” involved. Really, all you need is a bit of time, and the best part is that most of that time is hands-off! With a potato this good, I have no trouble staying on track with this eating plan. Not only that, but I’ve easily adapted this snack to a main course, by topping it with a bit of steamed broccoli and serving it alongside Baked Tilapia.
What’s your favorite potato topping?
- Russet potatoes
- olive oil
- coarse salt (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and adjust rack to the center position.
- Wash and scrub potatoes, and then lightly brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt, if desired. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 1¼ hours.
- When potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and pierce them with a fork several times to form an "X" pattern in the center of the potato. Press the potato on the ends to push the filling up and out.
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Awesome! That’s exactly how I bake my potatoes! They are the best! 🙂
They are the BEST this way, aren’t they? 🙂
I love snacking, as well. That’s the biggest problem I have… I can diet, just don’t take away my unhealthy snacks! 😉 The potatoes look perfect!
Kate@Diethood recently posted..Garlicky and Cheesy Crispy Potato Skins
Don’t you have to pierce the potato with a fork before baking? I thought if you didn’t do that the potato might explode in the oven.
The trouble for me comes in the fact that due to having IC (or PBS as they call it these days), tomatoes and spicy are both off my list of things I can eat. I might try this though with mushrooms simmered in a little fat free beef broth and thickened with a little corn starch.