While ‘spicy’ potatoes like that may not be appealing to kids, I wonder if you have known my frustration over plain white potatoes at the dinner table. For the longest time, white potatoes were met with disdain by my kids.

Until recently, when I finally made time to bake the potatoes in the oven instead of the microwave.

I know, ridiculous! But it seemed I always forgot to allow time to bake the potatoes (they can take an hour to bake). It really is amazing the difference in flavor a baked potato has, and a microwaved potato does not.

First, the outer appearance of a microwaved potato: wizened, shrunken, the texture a little mealy, essentially, the potato inside steamed to death. And contrast it to a baked potato: crisp on the outside, delicious, tender and moist on the inside.

You may balk at the time needed to bake an Idaho or Russet white potato. But consider that once they’re done, you just serve them at the dinner table (along with the rest of the dinner; perhaps pork chops and salad?). Each person dining ‘fixes’ their potato according to their desire. Perhaps for some a dollop of sour cream, for others a spoonful of Greek-style yogurt, maybe a sprinkling of cheese and scallions.

During the 50 minutes to an hour the potatoes are baking at 400 degrees F., much can be done. It’s nice to be able to check for doneness by sliding a fork or knife into the potatoes; if the utensil comes out easily, it’s done.

And when you serve the baked potatoes, oh my. You will be appreciated. Mightily.

What do you like to bake in your oven, instead of microwave?

Top Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Bottom photo by Kelly Estes