I've done some serious research, testing 12 different methods
to bring to you what I believe is the best recipe for baked potatoes, and, I'm going to
be using one particular ingredient that I bet you've never used on a baked potato before.
Hi I'm Nicky, welcome back to our kitchen where we show you how to make delicious
family-friendly recipes. Baked potatoes make the perfect side dish or lunch but they've got to
be good so no just sticking it in the microwave and hoping for the best, so let's start by talking
about the anatomy for the perfect baked potato. Crispy crunchy skin that doesn't turn soft after
five minutes out of the oven, just look at how lovely and crisp that is, we also want
tasty skin, the skin is just as important as the interior, we don't want that left on the plate.
and fluffy interior that goes without saying, I
want the perfect texture to mash my salted butter into.
Timing also plays a small part so I'm going to show you how to keep the timing to the minimum
amount possible. So let's get cooking, we're going to start by preheating the oven to 220c or 425
f and while that oven's preheating let's talk about the potatoes. So I'm using a large baking
potato or jacket potato here, if you can't find anything in the supermarket labeled baking potato
then you want to go for a large floury potato such as maris piper, king edward or russet. Prick the
potato several times with a fork, this is to allow the steam that builds up in the potato to escape,
stopping it from exploding during cooking. Place on a plate and microwave on high for five minutes.
Now don't think you have to use a microwave for the perfect baked potato, this is optional to speed
up the process but if you don't use a microwave we're talking an extra hour in the oven. Now I
have got a potato that's already been in the oven for an hour so we'll do a comparison at the end of
the video showing microwave versus non-microwave. If you're cooking more than one potato then just
add an extra two minutes on the microwave time for every additional potato that you're cooking.
Once they're done in the microwave we're going to remove them. Now we're going to add
some flavor to that skin now i've tried lots of different variations to get that lovely crispy
flavor-packed skin and the best way to do that is to brush the potato in melted beef dripping,
yep you heard me right, melted beef dripping. Now if you want a veggie version then sunflower oil
also works fine but beef dripping just takes that skin to a whole new flavor level.
Brush over about a teaspoon of melted beef dripping over each potato ensuring it's covered all over.
Now we're going to sprinkle over a really good pinch of salt and pepper.
Then place in the oven directly on the rack for 55 minutes. Now by microwaving it first and then
placing it in the oven to cook we've got a total cooking time of one hour which might seem like
a lot but you really do need that to ensure the perfect crispy skin that stays crispy and doesn't
go soft and chewy. Now if you don't want to use a microwave we're talking two hours in the oven at a
lower temperature for that same perfect crispy skin perfection. So how do I know all of this?
Well, we tested 12 different methods of baking potatoes so we could compare the results,
we're talking wrapping potatoes in foil or baking the potatoes without oil or seasoning
and baking the potatoes on a baking tray instead of directly on the shelf. Now I've written a blog
post on all the different methods I tried so you can see the comparisons, and I'll leave a
link below so you can check that out, but this is by far the best method for the best results.
Once the 55 minutes is up you can remove the baked potato from the oven.
I already know this is going to be amazing just listen to that crunchy skin.
Once they've cooled slightly we're going to carefully slice across the top,
and then carefully and gently squeeze the sides up to open up the potato.
Add a knob of butter and just look at that baked potato perfection.
Let's compare that to one that's been in the oven for two hours rather than using the microwave
shortcut. Yep we've still got that lovely crispy crunchy skin and we've got that lovely fluffy
interior too, and of course that beef dripping with the seasoning takes it to a whole new
level of baked potato flavor.
Serve them up for lunch stuffed with my creamy coronation chicken or serve on a cold autumn evening with my sausage and bean casserole. I'd love to know
what's your favourite baked potato filling? let me know in the comments below, see you next time!