How to bake a potato

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and scrub your potatoes clean. Poke each potato with a fork a few times to allow steam to release while cooking.

Step 2

Place potatoes directly on a baking rack set inside a baking sheet and place them in the oven.

Step 3

Bake until the center of the potato reaches between 205 and 212 degrees. This will be roughly 35-45 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.

Step 4

Remove from the oven and use a pastry brush to coat each potato in a thin coat of olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and then flip them over and brush the other side with oil and sprinkle with salt.

Step 5

Bake the potatoes for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the skin.

Step 6

Remove the potatoes from the oven, cut a small X on the top of each potato and then using two hands (be careful, they are hot), gently press the potatoes inward so that they "bloom" from the X.

Step 7

Enjoy right away with your favorite toppings.