Growing up, one of my all-time favorite comfort foods was a hot and fluffy baked potato. The crispy skin, the soft and buttery interior – it was the perfect side dish to any meal. However, there were times when I wanted to enjoy a baked potato but didn’t have the time or patience to go through the lengthy process of baking it in the oven. That’s when I discovered the beauty of microwaving a baked potato. In this blog post, I’ll share with you my tried and tested method for quickly heating up a baked potato in the microwave.
Preparing the Potato
Cleaning and Poking
The first step to any great baked potato is preparing it properly. Start by giving your potato a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt or bacteria. Once it’s clean, take a fork and poke a few holes into the potato. These holes will allow steam to escape while microwaving, preventing the potato from exploding. Trust me; you don’t want to skip this step!
Microwaving the Potato
Wrapping in a Damp Paper Towel
Now that your potato is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to start microwaving. Start by taking a paper towel and dampening it with water. Wring out any excess moisture and wrap the damp paper towel around the potato. This will help create a steamy environment, resulting in a tender and evenly cooked potato.
Timing is Key
Place the wrapped potato on a microwave-safe plate and pop it into the microwave. Now, every microwave is different, so cooking times may vary. Start by microwaving the potato on high for four minutes. After the four minutes are up, carefully flip the potato over and microwave for an additional three to four minutes.
Fluffing and Seasoning
Once your potato is done microwaving, it’s time to give it some love. Using a clean towel or oven mitts, carefully remove the hot potato from the microwave. Remove the damp paper towel, and with a sharp knife, make a small incision in the potato, or cut an ‘X’ shape into the top. This will allow steam to escape, preventing any potential burns when handling the hot potato.
Using a fork, carefully fluff the insides of the potato. You’ll see it practically fall apart, revealing the fluffy interior that you know and love. Now, it’s time to season. Add a pat of butter, a sprinkle of salt, and even some freshly cracked black pepper. If you’re feeling adventurous, top it off with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, or even some chopped chives. The possibilities are endless!
Reheating Leftover Baked Potatoes
Now, what if you have leftover baked potatoes? Don’t worry; you can easily heat them up in the microwave as well. It’s as simple as one, two, three.
Slicing and Dampening
Start by slicing your leftover baked potato into evenly thick slices. Take each slice and dampen it slightly with water. This will prevent the potato from drying out while reheating.
Arranging and Microwaving
Arrange the dampened potato slices on a microwave-safe plate. Make sure to leave some space between the slices to allow for even reheating. Pop the plate into the microwave and cook on high for one minute. After the minute is up, carefully flip the potato slices over and microwave for another minute or until heated through.
Serving and Enjoying
Once your leftover baked potato slices are heated through, they’re ready to be enjoyed. You can serve them as is, or if you want to recreate that just-baked texture, you can pop them into a toaster oven for a few minutes to crisp up the edges. Serve them alongside your favorite main dish or as a delicious snack on their own.
Conclusion
Microwaving a baked potato is a quick and easy method to enjoy this classic comfort food. Whether you’re preparing a fresh potato or reheating leftovers, the microwave can save you both time and effort. Just remember to clean and poke your potato before microwaving, wrap it in a damp paper towel, and adjust the cooking time according to your microwave’s wattage. With these simple steps, you’ll have a piping hot and perfectly cooked baked potato in no time. So, the next time you’re craving a quick and tasty side dish, go ahead and give the microwave method a try – you won’t be disappointed!