Baked Potato Night

Tonight is baked potatoes at my house!  We have these almost once a week (to cut down on the food budget).

Baking instructions (I'm sure you already know...but you might not know about the oil method)
Wash potatoes, cut off any bad spots
either wrap in foil
or completely rub surface with oil (pour oil in small bowl and roll potatoes in until coated)

Bake at 450 for 1 hour or 350 for 2 hours.

My mom always poked hers with a fork, but I have found that it is unnecessary.  If desperate you can cook in microwave for 5-10 minutes.  But they do tend to shrivel up a bit (not my favorite way).

I usually do the foil method.  But I really love the oil method.   It makes the skin a little tougher and thicker (like twice baked potatoes).  If you don't like the skin to start with, you won't like the oil method.  But to me it seems different and even a little fancier, just because it's unusual.

We usually top with butter, S&P, sour cream, cheese, bacos and either ham and ranch dressing or seasoned hamburger (hamburger with fresh or dried onion, garlic salt and pepper).

Once in a blue moon we top with chili or broccoli.

My 11 YO son likes to microwave his after putting cheese on top so the cheese gets melted.

I like to bake double the amount we are going to use (so usually 10 for my family of 5 eaters) then the leftovers I put in the fridge (still in foil).  Then I can make fried potatoes later.  Just cube or cut into coins or shred with cheese grater.  Fry in a little oil until brown and crispy.  Wah-lah!

What temp do you cook your potatoes if you want them to cook all during church?  How do you prepare your potatoes?  What do you like on your potatoes? Which way do you spell potato or potatoe?

Tonight we are leaving out ham and/or hamburger for our meatless monday!!!