Baked Potatoes
DESCRIPTION
A baked potato, or jacket potato, is a potato that has been baked for eating. When well cooked, a baked potato has a fluffy interior and a crisp skin. It may be served with fillings and condiments such as butter, cheese or ham. Potatoes can be baked in a conventional gas or electric oven, a convection oven, a microwave oven, on a barbecue grill, or on/in an open fire. Some restaurants use special ovens designed specifically to cook large numbers of potatoes, then keep them warm and ready for service.
HISTORY
In 1536 Spanish Conquistadors conquered Peru, discovered the flavors of the potato, and carried them to Europe. Before the end of the sixteenth century, families of Basque sailors began to cultivate potatoes along the Biscay coast of northern Spain.
RECIPIES
- Scrub the potatoand sprinkle with salt. Place the potato in the preheated oven with tinfoil, and bake for 90 minutes, or until slightly soft and golden brown. Slice the potato down the center, and serve with butter and cream cheese.