Baked Potatoes Forever Food

BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the potatoes in a bowl with the oil, salt, and pepper until completely coated. Place on a baking sheet and bake until fork tender, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Put the chives in the boiling water and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Immediately, plunge into the ice water to set the color. Squeeze all the water out of the chives and give them a rough chop. Put into a blender with the sour cream. Pulse until you have a smooth green sauce and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to serve. (Or, thinly slice the chives and stir into the sour cream, season with salt and pepper, to taste.)
• Cut the potatoes lengthwise and then across. Pinch and press the sides to open the potatoes. Divide the butter among the potatoes and serve with the sour cream. Garnish with crumbled bacon if desired.

BAKED POTATOES FOREVER!

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
• Pierce potatoes ONCE with a sharp knife.
• Over plate, pour oil into your very clean hands and rub the potatoes all over. Use oil that has dripped onto the plate.
• Place DIRECTLY onto the middle rack in oven.
• Bake about 45 minutes. Check to see if done with fork piercing.
• NOW COMES THE BEST PART -- you can top halved or split potatoes with ANYTHING -- forget the sour cream & chives or chili & cheese. Try a vegetable curry or succotash mix. How about a lima bean stew? Indian style chickpeas, eggplant & tomatoes?.
• Roast peppers with balsamic vinegar? And what about all the ways for beans -- baked beans, chickpeas with plain yogurt & lime juice, black beans with onions, mushroom & some tomato sauce?.
• Now, get going on that adventure and find your own way!

PERFECT BAKED POTATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato, and pierce the skin several times with a knife or fork. Rub the skin with olive oil, then with salt.
• Place the potato in the preheated oven, and bake for 90 minutes, or until slightly soft and golden brown. Slice the potato down the center, and serve with butter and black pepper. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top, if desired.