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Americans eat 126 pounds of potatoes per year. There is a reason potatoes are America's most important vegetable crop; we love eating them. Not just French fries or potato chips as you might think, but also baked potatoes. It is not difficult to prepare a delicious baked potato, just keep in mind the following facts.

You will want cylindrical or oval unblemished russet potatoes. The shape is important for its alluring appearance. Russet potatoes have a fluffy texture to their flesh when baked, and their skin crisps up well. New or red potatoes won't do because their skin is too thin and their flesh is waxy.

To get a special, flavorful baked potato skin, bake them this way. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrub the potatoes and dry them thoroughly. Take a fork and prick the potatoes in several places, and then rub them all over with butter, lard, or oil. Liberally sprinkle coarse salt (kosher or sea salt) all over the potatoes, place them right on the rack, and bake for about one hour. Depending on the size, you might need more time. When done, the skins will be absolutely fabulous, and the flesh will be fluffy. This method will give you the best baked potato you've ever eaten. Please don't use tin foil because this will steam your potatoes resulting in skin that will not crisp.

With this method, people are more likely to eat the skins. Potato skins are healthy, full of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus. Potatoes skins also contain a lot of beneficial fiber.

If you have guests who do not like potato skins even prepared this way, make them anyway, then scoop out the baked potato and save the skins. You can re-bake the skins later, adding shredded cheese, chopped onions, crumbled cooked bacon or sour cream. They will be excellent as an appetizer or snack, or accompaniment to a meal.

For left over baked potatoes here is a great, simple way to prepare hash browns. Heat a skillet, coat with bacon fat, lard or oil and add a large chopped onion. Fry the onions till brown, stirring so they don't burn. Meanwhile, cut your baked potatoes into cubes. In another skillet, coat with fat and add the potatoes. Sprinkle the potatoes with paprika and shake the pan to coat them and brown. Add the browned onions from the other skillet to the potatoes mix together and shut the flame off. Sprinkle some sage, salt and pepper on them, and serve.

Baked potatoes are popular, inexpensive, nutritious, delicious and easy to prepare. Try these two terrific ways of preparing and using baked potatoes. You will discover why potatoes are one of America's favorite vegetables!

Learn more about this author, Anthony Stemke.
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