Step 1
First use real baking potatoes or choose large appropriate shaped ones from you regular bag of potatoes. They should be oval in shape and large enough to warrant all the toppings.
Step 2
Then you want to wash potato thoroughly and dry it. Pierce with fork several times and oil the outside with cooking spray, oil, or a Crisco like solid shortening. This ensures a softer skin.
Step 3
Bake potato for about 1 hour at 375 degrees or if you must use your microwave. These are much better oven baked.Testing to make sure they are completel baked before serving.
Step 4
I prefer to set up a baked potato bar so I empty a counter or table so I can set out all the fixins. For me this means butter or margarine, sour cream, shredded cheese, crisp crumbles of real bacon, canned chili without beans, chicken salad, cooked broccoli, and whatever else sounds good at the time. Usually one person will not put all this on one potato, but most of it. You could add steamed onions, chopped tomato and cucumber, or even cooked crumbled ground beef. When you add all this you will have a chance to serve a well balanced meal and any leftovers will be put to good use.
Step 5
Next prepare all your toppings. Spreads and cheeses should be a room temperature. Bacon needs to be fried so it is very crisp and drained on paper towels. Canned chili needs to be put in a small dish or pan to heat up. Chicken salad needs to be made ahead, keep it simple with mainly chicken chopped up with onion, celery, and mayo. Brown some ground beef if you like with onions and some Italian seasonings for another flavorful addition. Steam some onions if you like. Cook broccoli and chop in smallish pieces, not tiny ones. Tomatoes and cucumbers need to be chopped small and served together in a small dish.
Step 6
Next prepare all your toppings. Spreads and cheeses should be a room temperature. Bacon needs to be fried so it is very crisp and drained on paper towels. Canned chili needs to be put in a small dish or pan to heat up. Chicken salad needs to be made ahead, keep it simple with mainly chicken chopped up with onion, celery, and mayo. Brown some ground beef if you like with onions and some Italian seasonings for another flavorful addition. Steam some onions if you like. Cook broccoli and chop in smallish pieces, not tiny ones. Tomatoes and cucumbers need to be chopped small and served together in a small dish.
