Here in New York, it is really dark by 7 pm. Fall coats have come out, there is rain in the morning, and farmers markets have less tomatoes and more apples.
That’s right, folks, summer is officially over.
Bye bye light salads. Farewell sushi. Bring on the soups, chilis, and stews. Bring on the crockpots and the pork belly. And bring on the perfect one person meal, ideal for those nights that you are home alone and want something satisfying, easy to make, and undeniably homemade.
Bring on the perfect baked potato. The perfect baked potato isn’t bound in shrink wrap by the check-out stand at the grocery store, and it isn’t made in the microwave. It requires time and little else. The trick of seasoning the skin will make the entire thing so delicious that you won’t believe how many nutrients it contains.
Bring it on indeed.
Perfect Baked Potato
Ingredients:
1 medium sized potato, washed
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. coarse salt
butter
sour cream
sharp cheddar cheese
chopped scallions
pepper
1. Pour the oil over the potato, and rub the potato so the oil is all over it. Preheat the oven to 425F.
2. Pour the salt on the potato and rub it into the potato. It might not stick to the potato, but just do the best you can.
3. Poke the potato with a fork 3 times on top to let the steam escape.
4. Place in the oven and bake undisturbed for 45-60 minutes or until the ends squish easily and a fork easily pokes through to the bottom of the potato.
5. Split the potato open, and while it is still warm, start loading on the toppings.
Cue sexy music…
Butter…
Cheese…
Sour cream…
Scallions and pepper.
6. Serve.
The skin is crisp and salty. The innards are fluffy. Hot potato, cool sour cream, melty cheese, and spicy scallions. This speaks to comfort, it speaks to tastebuds, and it speaks to the soul. It’s the next best thing to getting a big hug from your mom. It makes you feel warm and cozy, and well taken care of. Do this for yourself and you won’t be sorry that you did.
And, after this, bring on the stretch pants.
Welcome, fall!
Is it sad that I never really knew how to do this until this post? Baked potatoes for all this fall