Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Potato is widely consumed in most parts of the world. This vegetable is cooked in many different ways and baked potato is like an integral part of some of the regional cuisines across the globe. Once baked, the skin of the potatoes becomes crispy and the inner flush turns fluffy. It is served with condiments, like, chicken, ham, cheese, butter, sour cream, etc. It is generally used as a side dish, but can also be eaten as a stand alone meal, as its flesh is starchy and makes the person eating it feel full. Baked potato can be cooked in a convection oven, microwave or grill. Before the advent of microwave, convection oven was widely used to bake potatoes, but, now microwave is also used for this purpose. Preparing baked potatoes in a microwave reduces the cooking time considerably, but, some people still think that the nutrient in potatoes are lost by cooking this way. However, microwave is now widely used to cook various food recipes and this article can provide you with some tips and guidelines regarding microwave baked potato recipe.

How to Bake a Potato in the Microwave

Baking potatoes is one of the easiest tasks, if you know the right way. Unlike an oven, you don't have to wait for a long time, in order to bake potatoes in a microwave. The following microwave baked potato recipe can help you in preparing the dish in a very short time.

• The first step is to select the perfect potatoes for baking. While, any potato can be baked, it is better to use the ones recommended for baking, like, the russet potatoes or the King Edward potatoes, for a perfectly-textured end product.
• Select potatoes, which do not have any cuts, bruises, sprouts and discoloration. It will be better, if you opt for potatoes with uniform size as they will get cooked evenly and at the same time.
• Wash the potatoes thoroughly with a brush and remove any sprouts or spots with the tip of a knife. Now, dry each potato with a soft cloth or paper towels.
• The next step is to pierce the potatoes with a fork. Insert the fork deeply on different sides of each potato. This allows the steam to escape, so that the potatoes do not break open while baking.
• Now, apply some oil (olive oil or canola oil) and salt on the potatoes. If you want a crispy skin there is no need to cover the potatoes, while baking. Otherwise, you may wrap the potatoes individually with paper towels.
• Now, place these potatoes on a plate and cook on high in the microwave. You may also turn over the potatoes, when the potatoes are done halfway.
• The cooking time for microwave baked potato recipe can vary with the number of potatoes. In case of a single large potato, the cooking time will be around seven minutes. If there are two large potatoes, it can take around 10 minutes and 13 to 15 minutes for three large potatoes.
• However, the cooking time may also vary with the types of potatoes used, so it will be better to check the potatoes, whether it is done or not. Potatoes are cooked, if they are tender, when pricked with a fork or when the internal temperature reaches 210 °F (can be measured with a meat thermometer).
• Remove the potatoes from the microwave and serve them as you wish. You can make one or two cuts in the center and expose the inner flesh. Garnish them with toppings, like, butter, cheese, herbs and spices, etc.

Now, you know more about how to bake a potato in the microwave and microwave baked potato recipe. All you have to do is to try this, whenever you plan to prepare baked potatoes.