Step 1 Place potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Generously salt (about 3 tablespoons) the water, place on the stove and turn the heat to high. Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes. Rinse under ...Steps to a Quick-Baked Potato. Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 F. Meanwhile, scrub the Russet potatoes with a …Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Clean and cut the potatoes into 1/2″-1″ cubes. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and spices. Spray a shallow baking pan or cast iron pan with cooking spray or rub lightly with oil. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking pan.Sgaphoto/Getty Images. Shepherd's pie is one of the most foolproof ways to use canned potatoes — especially if you're a skeptic. Also known as cottage pie, it is a comforting casserole of ground ...Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl—run cold tap water into the bowl until the potato pieces feel cool, then leave them there for 30 minutes. Proceed to the final cooking step, such as submerging the potato pieces in actively simmering water until tender. Then, mash, such as with a ricer or mill.Yes, canned potatoes are cooked prior to canning and can be eaten straight from the can or heated. A cooking and blanching process is used to kill any bacteria present on the veget...Feb 6, 2024 ... Small cubes work best since the potato will cook through faster without burning on the outside. This allows you to skip boiling the potatoes and ...Directions. Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Then lower the heat to medium and gently simmer until the ...A fondant potato is a classic French recipe where you brown the potatoes slightly on both ends then slowly roast until tender. The garlic, rosemary, and tender potatoes are usually cut into cylinders and a perfect side to a steak, grilled chicken, or my favorite, grilled salmon. Source: Cooktoria.Microwave on high for five minutes; then, flip the potato, recover, and microwave for five more minutes. Use the fork test to check if it's done. Quick tips: Add two minutes of cooking time at ...Yes, canned potatoes are cooked prior to canning and can be eaten straight from the can or heated. A cooking and blanching process is used to kill any bacteria present on the veget...Prep the Potatoes for Baking. To start: Position the oven racks in the bottom and middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Wash and dry the potatoes. Using a fork, pierce each potato twice ...Jun 13, 2021 · Method: Brined, Then Oven-Baked. Time: 55 minutes. About this method: Leave it to America’s Test Kitchen to get baked potatoes down to a science. The secret, they say, is to get the internal temperature to 205°F and (weirdly, for a vegetable) to brine your potato skins. Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl—run cold tap water into the bowl until the potato pieces feel cool, then leave them there for 30 minutes. Proceed to the final cooking step, such as submerging the potato pieces in actively simmering water until tender. Then, mash, such as with a ricer or mill.Jan 7, 2020 · Instructions. Slice sweet potatoes slightly less than 1/4 inch thick and leave the skin on. Heat a large skillet (we prefer cast iron) over medium-high heat. Once hot, reduce heat to medium and add oil to pan. Swirl to coat. Add sweet potatoes in an even layer, sprinkle with salt (optional), and cover. Nov 21, 2023 · For German potato pancakes, season with salt and pepper and add a touch of flour and an egg to hold the mass together. Heat a good amount of oil in a heavy skillet, ladle in portions one at a time, and flatten each into a patty. Oct 7, 2022 · Place potatoes on the baking sheet. Add oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Add parmesan cheese and bacon, if using. Toss to coat all potatoes. Roast potatoes in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes. Stir carefully with a spoon and roast for about 10 more minutes, until soft and crispy. Oct 15, 2013 · Getty. I will admit that "hasselbacking," which originated at Restaurant Hasselbacken in Stockholm, is the most photogenic of all potato-cooking methods, and that scoring a potato before baking it makes it vastly crispier and more delicious. But I'm sorry: a better baked potato is still, on some level, a baked potato. 10. Instructions. Wash the potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks with a sharp knife and cutting board. Place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 12-15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes or so, until …Directions. Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Then lower the heat to medium and gently simmer until the ...Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl—run cold tap water into the bowl until the potato pieces feel cool, then leave them there for 30 minutes. Proceed to the final cooking step, such as submerging the potato pieces in actively simmering water until tender. Then, mash, such as with a ricer or mill.Directions. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) (or 400°F (200°C) if using convection). Heat 2 quarts (2L) water in a large pot …Creamy Potato Soup. Bacon, garlic, leeks and plenty of cheese add huge flavor to this classic, creamy potato soup recipe. African Peanut Soup. This warming soup is full of fresh ginger, jalapeño, cumin, sweet potatoes and plenty of garlic. Wild Mushroom Chowder with Bacon and Leeks. A perfectly cozy dish for this time of year.Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl—run cold tap water into the bowl until the potato pieces feel cool, then leave them there for 30 minutes. Proceed to the final cooking step, such as submerging the potato pieces in actively simmering water until tender. Then, mash, such as with a ricer or mill.Instructions. Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork, if you like (see note). Directly on …Sgaphoto/Getty Images. Shepherd's pie is one of the most foolproof ways to use canned potatoes — especially if you're a skeptic. Also known as cottage pie, it is a comforting casserole of ground ...The fastest way to cook whole potatoes in the oven is by using the microwave first. Prick the potatoes with a fork, cook them in the microwave for about 5-7 minutes until they are partially cooked, and then transfer them to a preheated oven to finish cooking and get a crispy skin.Instructions: Microwave 1 scrubbed, pricked potato 7 minutes on high power. Carefully turn the potato over, and microwave 2 to 3 minutes more, or until easily pierced with a knife tip, fork, or skewer. Tip: For …Step 1 In a large pot, cover potatoes with water; generously season with salt. Bring water to a boil and cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and let cool ...Kosher salt. Heat an air fryer to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes and oil with a generous sprinkle of salt. Place the potatoes in the air-fryer basket and cook …Fastest is to steam it. Cut into small cubes, put on one of those metal steamer platforms, some water in the bottom and steam it. Steam is very hot - hotter than boiling water, and since you only boil a small amount of water at the bottom that part goes faster too. Match stick it and deep fry for 3-5 minutes.Preheat the oven to 220C/425F (fan). Prick the potato several times with a fork. 1 baking potato. Place on a plate and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Remove from the microwave and brush the beef …If you've ever made potatoes for a crowd, then you probably know that peeling them can take forever. Watch as Williams Sonoma Culinary Director Amanda Haas t...Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. (Alternatively, use a nonstick skillet and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.) Add the potatoes, arrange in a single layer cut-side down, and season with 1/2 teaspoon of the kosher salt. Cover with a tightfitting lid and cook undisturbed until the ...Method: Brined, Then Oven-Baked. Time: 55 minutes. About this method: Leave it to America’s Test Kitchen to get baked potatoes down to a science. The secret, they say, is to get the internal temperature to 205°F and (weirdly, for a vegetable) to brine your potato skins.Jun 26, 2022 ... You can make these in the air fryer if you'd like. Prepare them the same way, then set the air fryer to 450ºF or as high as it will go. The ...Place potatoes on the baking sheet. Add oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Add parmesan cheese and bacon, if using. Toss to coat all potatoes. Roast potatoes in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes. Stir carefully with a spoon and roast for about 10 more minutes, until soft and crispy.Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, then drain. Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes to the pan and try to get them on a single, flat layer. Cook without stirring for about 4-5 minutes, so that the bottom side browns. Add the diced onion, garlic powder, and paprika, then stir.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the wedges onto the sheet in a single layer, using your fingers to place some of the Parmesan cheese that falls off onto the top of the wedges (it doesn’t have to be perfect, just take a minute or so to do this). Bake the potatoes for 18 minutes.When it comes to cooking the perfect baked potato, there is more to it than meets the eye. Achieving that crispy skin and fluffy interior requires a delicate balance of temperature...Step 1: Clean potatoes well with a vegetable scrub brush. Step 2: Cut the potatoes into chunks. Remember, the smaller the chunks the faster they will cook. Step 3: Put the potatoes in the pot and add enough cold …Southern sweet potato pie is a beloved dessert that has deep roots in the culinary traditions of the American South. This delectable pie has been passed down through generations, w...Water bath: Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Place the mashed potatoes in a heatproof bowl and set it over the pan of simmering water. Cook over medium heat, stirring the potatoes a few times, until they are warmed through. If needed, add a few more splashes of milk or cream to loosen.Parboil the Potatoes First. Parboiling helps soften the potato insides before the roasting begins, so you won't be tempted to burn the outsides in exchange for less undercooked insides. Boil the potato chunks for eight to 10 minutes—they won't be fully cooked, but they'll be ready for the next step.Get a Recipe. 5-Ingredient Family-Friendly Baked Potato Soup. Simple Kale and Potato Soup. Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable and Chickpea Stew. Salmon Hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Herbs (Image credit: Andrea D’Agosto) 4. Skillet Meals. Diced potatoes and hash browns make a hearty base for hashes and one-skillet meals.Feb 20, 2023 ... Instructions · Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. · Poke a fork in the potatoes a few times to prevent them from&nbs...Air fryer sweet potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for thirty five minutes or until the air fried sweet potatoes are crisp and caramelized. Instant pot sweet potatoes: Place the steamer rack in the Instant Pot and add a cup of water. Place three medium sweet potatoes onto the rack, and cook on high manual for …Sgaphoto/Getty Images. Shepherd's pie is one of the most foolproof ways to use canned potatoes — especially if you're a skeptic. Also known as cottage pie, it is a comforting casserole of ground ...Method. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Put the potatoes into a pan and just cover with water. Add a tablespoon of salt, cover with a lid, and bring to the boil. Boil for 15 minutes ...Oct 15, 2013 · Getty. I will admit that "hasselbacking," which originated at Restaurant Hasselbacken in Stockholm, is the most photogenic of all potato-cooking methods, and that scoring a potato before baking it makes it vastly crispier and more delicious. But I'm sorry: a better baked potato is still, on some level, a baked potato. 10. Shepherd’s Pie with Cheddar Mash ($1.23/serving) How to freeze mashed potatoes: Prepare the recipe according to the directions. Spoon the mashed potatoes into freezer-safe containers. Chill the potatoes completely before storing in the freezer. How to serve the mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator.Fastest is to steam it. Cut into small cubes, put on one of those metal steamer platforms, some water in the bottom and steam it. Steam is very hot - hotter than boiling water, and since you only boil a small amount of water at the bottom that part goes faster too. Match stick it and deep fry for 3-5 minutes.Aug 17, 2023 ... Depending on the size, 50 minutes to 1 hour at 400 degrees should do the trick and result in perfectly fluffy flesh with crispy skin. How can ...Aug 20, 2021 ... Instant Pot Baked Potatoes is the easiest and fastest way to cook a 'baked potato.' This method is perfect for making a loaded baked potato, ...Potato soup is a classic comfort dish that warms the soul and satisfies the taste buds. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced cook looking for some new recipes...Let them cool before peeling the skin. Boiling: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the whole sweet potatoes and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain the water and let them cool before peeling. Microwaving: Wash the sweet potatoes and prick them with a fork.Gather together 1 3/4 pounds red (new), Yukon Gold or other lower-starch potatoes, kosher salt, 3 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley leaves. You want to choose ...Potato Storing Method: In a Basket. Rating: 4/10. About this method: I used two small wicker baskets to test this method: one for the russets and one for the Yukon golds. They fit into the baskets in a single layer. Results: At the two-month mark, the Yukon golds felt soft and had lots of well-developed sprouts.Whipped Feta Roasted Potatoes. This recipe is the perfect example of the satisfying texture combo of creamy and crisp: Hot, crispy potatoes are spooned onto a billowy cloud of whipped feta, then ...Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Rinse and scrub potatoes and cut in half length wise. Rub the sweet potatoes on both sides with olive oil. Place the sweet potatoes middle side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork …Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One popular method of cooking sweet potatoes is baking, which brings out their nat...Dec 18, 2019 · Heat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil (or parchment*), and if you happen to own a wire cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet. Prep the potato. Using a dinner fork or a small paring knife, poke the potato at least 10 times on all sides. Place the potato on the prepared baking sheet. Mar 2, 2023 ... By far the fastest method. It takes about 8 to 12 minutes to microwave a baked potato, depending on the size. Prick the ...Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium heat and keep a rapid simmer. Boil cubed potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, small whole potatoes for 15-20 minutes, and ...Cover the potatoes with an inch or two of cold water. Starting the potatoes in cold water helps them cook more evenly. Stir in the salt. Stir 1 teaspoon of salt into the water until dissolved. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.Instructions. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the potatoes from sticking. Slice the …Nov 2, 2023 · You can cook potatoes and sweet potatoes in various ways: Baking. Boiling. Grilling. Microwaving. Roasting. Steaming. Regular or sweet, there are many ways to learn how to cook potatoes for diabetics. The potato is a typical starch that takes longer to digest and doesn’t rapidly affect blood sugar levels. 11. Grilling / broiling the potato after it comes out of the microwave is quicker than baking it and achieves the same crispy outside. If you really prefer them baked though, you can speed this up by inserting a large metal skewer into the potato while it's in the oven. Share. Improve this answer.1. Peel and cube the potatoes. Use a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to remove the skins from the sweet potatoes. Use a cutting board and a sharp knife to cut each potato in half. Then, cut each half into slices that are 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) thick, and cut each slice into 1.5 in (3.8 cm) cubes. [7] 2.Oct 7, 2022 · Place potatoes on the baking sheet. Add oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Add parmesan cheese and bacon, if using. Toss to coat all potatoes. Roast potatoes in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes. Stir carefully with a spoon and roast for about 10 more minutes, until soft and crispy. Method: Brined, Then Oven-Baked. Time: 55 minutes. About this method: Leave it to America’s Test Kitchen to get baked potatoes down to a science. The secret, they say, is to get the internal temperature to 205°F and (weirdly, for a vegetable) to brine your potato skins.Instructions. Wash the potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks with a sharp knife and cutting board. Place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 12-15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes or so, until …Scrub the potatoes to remove all dirt and then rinse and dry thoroughly. Poke several holes into each potato with a fork and then place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle each potato with about 1 teaspoon of oil. Rub the oil all over each potato. Generously sprinkle each potato with salt and then place in the oven.Purple Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Shiitake Mushrooms: These roasted potatoes feature bacon, shiitake mushrooms, capers and more yummy goodness. They also make for an amazing breakfast ...Jan 18, 2022 · Stand Mixer. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment is an efficient way to mash potatoes. It will break the potatoes down gradually as the paddle moves around the bowl. Be careful not to turn the mixer on too high or run it for too long; Greg says doing either of these things can lead to slightly gummy potatoes by overworking them. Instructions. Melt oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes to the skillet and spread them into a single layer. Season with onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring and turning often. Season with salt and pepper. Cook another 10 minutes, stirring and turning often or until golden brown.Aug 1, 2023 · Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato, and pierce the skin several times with a knife or fork. Rub the skin with olive oil, then with salt. Place the potato in the preheated oven, and bake until slightly soft and golden brown, about 90 minutes. Start heating the oven to 425°F. Wash the potatoes, poke them with a fork a few times, then microwave on high for 6 minutes. When the oven is heated, move the potatoes from the microwave to the oven …Potato soup is a classic comfort dish that warms the soul and satisfies the taste buds. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced cook looking for some new recipes...Jun 26, 2022 · Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Clean and cut the potatoes into 1/2″-1″ cubes. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and spices. Spray a shallow baking pan or cast iron pan with cooking spray or rub lightly with oil. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse and dry the potatoes. Trim off any bad parts (do not peel). Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Add the oil, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, thyme, and pepper. With your fingers (easiest) or a large spoon, toss to combine. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and place in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic; toss until the potatoes are well coated.Air fryer sweet potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for thirty five minutes or until the air fried sweet potatoes are crisp and caramelized. Instant pot sweet potatoes: Place the steamer rack in the Instant Pot and add a cup of water. Place three medium sweet potatoes onto the rack, and cook on high manual for …Potato Storing Method: In a Basket. Rating: 4/10. About this method: I used two small wicker baskets to test this method: one for the russets and one for the Yukon golds. They fit into the baskets in a single layer. Results: At the two-month mark, the Yukon golds felt soft and had lots of well-developed sprouts.step-by-step instructions. Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon of salt and the baking soda. Add the potatoes and boil …Make the dressing by combining mayonnaise, mustard, buttermilk. yogurt or sour cream and salt and pepper. Add any mix-ins you'd like, such as celery, onion, ham or fresh herbs like dill. Toss the ...
Purple Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Shiitake Mushrooms: These roasted potatoes feature bacon, shiitake mushrooms, capers and more yummy goodness. They also make for an amazing breakfast .... Prepare and enrich
Baked Potatoes . Simple baked potatoes dressed up with all the fixings are easy and delicious. But they're not the only way to bake a tasty tuber. Scalloped potatoes do the basic baker one better. With scalloped potatoes (a.k.a., potatoes au gratin), the shredded cheese and cream are baked together with thinly sliced potatoes in the same …Oct 26, 2021 · Peel and cut the potatoes: Peel two pounds of potatoes and cut them into 2-inch chunks. Boil an inch of water: Bring an inch of water to boil in a large pot and turn to medium heat. Steam the potatoes for 20 minutes: Transfer the potatoes to a steamer basket, place it in the pot, and cover. Let the potatoes cook for 20 minutes or until a fork ... Japanese Potato Salad. Discover the creamy and refreshing world of Japanese potato salad. With a lighter texture and a touch of sweetness, this salad incorporates …Microwave on full power for 5 minutes. Turn potato over, and microwave until soft, about 5 more minutes. Remove potato from the microwave, and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper and mash up the inside a little with a fork. Add butter and Cheddar cheese.Directions. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and garlic, lower heat to medium, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. When the potatoes are almost finished, heat milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Drain potatoes and return to the pot.Nov 2, 2023 · Transfer potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with an inch of water and add a pinch of salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke holes to vent. Microwave. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Check for doneness. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until done. Drain and cool. Drain potatoes in a colander. Back to the oven. The potatoes took between 1 hour and 1 hour 20 minutes to cook through at 400 degrees, so I hoped that cranking the heat up to 500 would hasten things. Unfortunately, this caused the outer portion of the potato to overbrown and almost char in spots, leading to a slightly burned flavor.Mar 21, 2022 · Prep the Potatoes for Baking. To start: Position the oven racks in the bottom and middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Wash and dry the potatoes. Using a fork, pierce each potato twice ... step-by-step instructions. Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon of salt and the baking soda. Add the potatoes and boil …Slice each potato into 1/2 inch cubes. Heat a large nonstick skillet* over medium-high heat. Add in butter and olive oil and stir together to melt and sizzle. Add in potatoes and stir to coat each potato in the butter-oil mixture. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and onion powder over top and stir again. Check out the super fast way to boil potatoes in a microwave.For more videos, subscribe to Eat Drink And More:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCObvXKU0HTYjeg... Place potatoes on the baking sheet. Add oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Add parmesan cheese and bacon, if using. Toss to coat all potatoes. Roast potatoes in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes. Stir carefully with a spoon and roast for about 10 more minutes, until soft and crispy.Line a large, rimmed baking dish with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup. Place the potatoes and garlic cloves in the center of the baking sheet. In a small mixing bowl or large liquid …Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Clean and cut the potatoes into 1/2″-1″ cubes. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and spices. Spray a shallow baking pan or cast iron pan with cooking spray or rub lightly with oil. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking pan.SIMPLE SWEET POTATO RECIPEA very fast way to cook a sweet potato if you forgot. I just learned this one from my mother-in-law :)Wash the sweet potato, but do...Put the whole russet potatoes – skin and all – in boiling water and cook until tender (this works whether you’re cooking 1 or 10 potatoes). When the potatoes are softened, transfer to an ice bath and let them chill out – pun intended! – for 5 to 10 seconds. The potato skin should feel loose. Using both hands, twist in opposite ...When it comes to cooking the perfect baked potato, there is more to it than meets the eye. Achieving that crispy skin and fluffy interior requires a delicate balance of temperature...Poke: Wash and scrub the potato, then prick all over with a work to allow steam to escape while cooking. Wrap: Wrap in a damp paper towel. Cook: Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Flip the potato over, and continue cooking for 4 more minutes. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.Jan 11, 2024 · The time depends on the number of potatoes and the size of your potatoes. For 1 medium-sized potato, start with 5-6 minutes. For 2 medium-sized potatoes, start with 10-11 minutes microwave time. For 4 potatoes, start with 15-16 minutes in the microwave. When the time is up, get a towel or oven mitt and gently squeeze the sides of the potato. .