Micro Waved Potato Cooking Guide

With the advent of the microwave, cooking potatoes has become much faster and more convenient. Many claim that the microwave actually bakes a more nutritious potato than a conventional oven, because the potato is exposed to less nutrient-draining heat for a shorter period of time.

Potatoes should be scrubbed, dried and pricked with a fork, then wrapped in a paper towel and placed one inch apart on a microwave rack. Cook according to your oven's guidelines, and turn potatoes once during cooking. Don't exceed the cooking time, as potatoes will continue to cook after they're removed from the oven.

Potatoes can also be baked in the microwave. First wash but do not dry the potato. Pierce each potato and wrap in a paper towel. When baking several potatoes at once, place them end to end in a circle, about one inch apart. The potato may need to be turned over midway through cooking, depending on your microwave. Allow the micro waved potato to remain wrapped in the paper for about two minutes after removing it from the microwave oven and before serving. Serve immediately, this ensures the crispy skin and dry, fluffy interior.

Micro waving can save time using a traditional oven or sauteed potatoes

Micro waving a potato before baking can reduce baking time by half. Follow the same preparation as above except do not wrap in foil before putting the potato in the microwave oven. Then microwave the potatoes for 5 to 10 minutes. After this coat with oil or wrap with foil as above and bake in a convection or conventional oven for half the time. The cooking time will vary, so check the potato if its soft before removing from the oven. Micro waving potatoes for 10 minutes before slicing and dicing will reduce cooking times for potato pan recipes.