Microwave Baked Potato Recipe

Potato is widely consumed in most parts of the world. This vegetable is cooked in different ways, and baked potato is a very popular dish. Once baked, the skin becomes crispy and the inner flesh turns fluffy. It is served with chicken, ham, cheese, butter, herbs and spices, or sour cream.

Baked potato is generally used as a side dish, but it can also be consumed as a stand alone meal. Potatoes can be baked in a convection oven, microwave or a grill. Before the advent of microwave, convection oven was widely used to bake potatoes. Preparing baked potatoes in a microwave reduces the cooking time considerably.

How to Bake a Potato in the Microwave

Baking potatoes is a simple and easy task, if you know the right method. Unlike an oven, you don't have to wait for a long time, in order to bake potatoes in a microwave. The following are some tips to prepare microwave baked potatoes.

• Choose the perfect potatoes for baking. While any potato can be baked, it is better to use the ones recommended for this purpose. You may use russet potatoes or the King Edward potatoes for baking.
• Avoid those with cuts, bruises, sprouts, or discoloration. If possible, choose potatoes with a uniform size as they will get cooked evenly, at the same time.

• Wash the potatoes thoroughly. You may use a brush for removing stubborn dirt. Remove sprouts or spots with the tip of a knife. Dry each potato with a soft cloth or paper towel.
• Pierce the potatoes with a fork. Insert the fork deeply on different sides of the vegetable. This allows the steam to escape, so that the potatoes do not burst, while baking.

• 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 them, while baking. Otherwise, you may wrap them individually, using paper towels.
• Place these potatoes on a microwavable plate, and cook on high. Turn over the potatoes, when they are done halfway.

• The cooking time may vary with the number of potatoes, and their size. In case of a single large potato, the cooking time will be around seven minutes. If there are two large potatoes, around 10 to 12 minutes may be required; and three large potatoes need 13 to 15 minutes.

• However, the cooking time may also vary with the type of potatoes used. So it will be better to check the doneness, in between. If they are tender, when pricked with a fork, the potatoes are done.

Otherwise check the internal temperature, which has to 210 °F, when the vegetable is cooked. The internal temperature 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 through the center and expose the inner flesh. Garnish them with toppings like butter, cheese, herbs, and spices.

In short, potatoes can be baked easily in a microwave. All you have to do is to try this method, whenever you plan to prepare baked potatoes.