The Perfect Baked Potato

By PineyCook

Ingredients

• 1 medium-to-large Russet potato, scrubbed clean of any dirt
• olive oil or melted butter
• Kosher salt
• freshly-cracked black pepper

Details

Adapted from gimmesomeoven.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.**

Using a dinner fork or a small paring knife, poke the potato multiple times on all sides.
Place the potato on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from oven.

Using a pastry brush, brush the outside of the potato with olive oil or melted butter until it is completely coated on all sides. Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of Kosher salt, and place the potato back on the baking sheet upside down so that it can cook evenly on both sides.

Return to oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Check for doneness by squeezing the potato (using an oven mitt since it's a hot potato!). If the insides are nice and soft and give under pressure, remove the potato from the oven. Otherwise, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potato is done.

Use a small paring knife to cut down the middle of the potato, and then give it a squeeze to open. Serve immediately, with your desired toppings.