Bladdaow!

A good baked potato recipe starts with the selection of the perfect baking potato.  An ideal potato variety to use for a baked potato is a Russet potato.

Cooking tips for baked potatoes are basic.  It is essential to wash the potatoes good prior to baking.  This can best be done using a scrubber or a bristle brush.
The next step is to pierce each potato to allow the steam to release during baking and to prevent exploding potatoes.

For the perfect baked potato, do not use aluminum foil.  This method is one that is commonly confused with baking, but is actually steaming the potato in the oven.
Placing the baked potato in the oven on the center rack at 350 degrees for 60 minutes will give you an optimal baked potato.  If you need to bake it at a different temperature to cook along with another dish, baked potatoes can be baked at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes or at 325 degrees for about 90 minutes.

The perfect baked potato will have a texture that is flaky.  Once the potato has finished baking, it can be gently squeezed and puffed out, making an airy base on which to put your desired toppings on.

An ideal baked potato recipe includes various topping ideas:  sour cream and chives, broccoli and cheese, chili, bacon and veggies, steak and cheese, and the list of possibilities goes on.

The best thing about any baked potato recipe is that you can make it your own, and mold it to your tastes.  All it takes is a potato, an oven, a knife, or fork to poke the potato with, and a little patience while it bakes.  The number of potential toppings is endless.  You can pick the standard butter and sour cream, or you can choose to jazz it up a bit.