Ingredients
- Medium-sized Russet potatoes (about 1/2 pound each)
- Olive oil (optional, for crispy skin)
- Salt and pepper (optional, for seasoning)
Instructions
Cleaning and Preparation
- Scrub the potatoes under cool running water using a vegetable brush.
- Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Piercing for Safety
- Using a fork, pierce each potato 4-5 times on each side to allow steam to escape.
Optional Pre-Treatment
- For a crispy skin, rub a light coat of olive oil around the potato.
- For a fluffier result, wrap the potato in a damp paper towel.
Microwaving Process
- Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes (for a 1000-watt microwave).
- Flip the potato using tongs or an oven mitt; microwave for another 3-5 minutes.
- Check for doneness using a gentle squeeze or by piercing with a knife.
Resting Period
- Let the potato rest for 1-2 minutes before handling to stabilize the temperature.
Optional Finishing
- For crispy skin, transfer the half-cooked potato to a preheated oven at 425°F for 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- For Multiple Potatoes: Space them apart without touching. Add 1 minute of cooking time per additional potato.
- Microwave Wattage: Adjust cooking time based on your microwave’s wattage.
- Troubleshooting: If the potato is not fully cooked, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments.
- Safety Tip: Do not skip piercing as it prevents the potato from exploding.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-10 minutes (microwave) + optional 10-15 minutes (oven)
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Microwaving (with optional baking for crispy skin)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian