Basic Baked Potatoes

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. 2
   Scrub the potatoes, dry them and, if desired, rub the skin of each with a teaspoon of butter or oil.
3. 3
   Prick the skin of each potato in one or two places with a fork or with the point of a knife.
4. 4
   Place the potatoes in the oven and bake 45 minutes to an hour, until the potato offers no resistance when a knife is inserted in the center.
5. 5
   Remove the potatoes from the oven and serve at once, whole, or score the potato or potatoes with an X, squeeze the sides of the potato to force the X open and serve.