It seems simple enough: one potato and a microwave and before you know it, you've got dinner. For most people, it's as simple as that. For me, cooking is never simple.
I wanted to make something filling and warm, and a baked potato seemed like the best option. I can remember watching my mom and aunts wrapping potatoes in foil, spearing them with a fork and cooking them, so I did the same. My poor potato didn't know what it had coming.
I wrapped it tight and dropped it into the microwave. It cooked for 2 minutes, then 1 minute, then I called my house to make sure I was doing it right.
LM: I'm making a baked potato, how long do I need to keep it in for?
Mom: Do you have it in foil?
LM: Yes.
Mom: 10 minutes, I think. (Stops to ask our neighbor how long to cook it). Pat says about 7 minutes. Don't forget to poke holes in it.
I cooked it for 6 more minutes and when it still seemed cold and hard, I gave up and went to the grocery store. I needed to buy shredded cheese for my tater topping.
I got home, reconvened in the kitchen and put 7 minutes on the microwave. Then, I cut it open to see if it was cooked on the inside. Negative.
I tried one more time for 10 minutes and cursed at the potato. I then decided that I should check the power setting. I cranked it to what I decided was the highest power setting (the buttons are confusing!) for 5 more minutes. Nothing. 10 minutes at the highest power setting? Parts of it were soft but 90 percent was uncooked.
The poor tater had been cut in half at this point, stabbed repeatedly and had pieces of aluminum foil stuck in it (above). Yum.
I decided to call my house one more time.
LM: Can I put a baked potato back in the microwave after cutting it in half?
Dad: Do you have it wrapped in something?
LM: Aluminum foil.
Dad: OH, NO! No, no, no. You don't want to put aluminum foil in the microwave. That starts fires. Wrap it in a paper towel or something. Make sure it has holes in it.
I walked to the kitchen, wrapped the sad-looking potato in a paper towel and placed it in the microwave for 8 minutes. The timer beeped and it was ready to eat! I added some toppings and dinner was finally served ... 2.5 hours later, with a little foil in it for added flavor.
Here are my tips:
- No matter what your mom says, don't use foil in the microwave (in her defense, I think she assumed I was baking it in the oven).
- Don't forget to poke holes in it!
- Get your hot pad ready. If you put it in a dish, the dish will be extremely hot. Did I mention I also burned my finger?
Result: It was edible ... and I think I hold the award for most time spent microwaving a potato.
xoxo,
Lisa Marie
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