Best Everything Sauce For Baked Potatoes Recipes

Chef's Cheese Sauce for Baked Potatoes image

Provided by NoSpringChicken

Categories Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 -6 medium russet potatoes
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 tablespoons minced green onion tops or 2 tablespoons chives

Steps:

Scrub potatoes with vegetable brush; dry well.
For crunchy skins, sprinkle each potato with 1 tablespoon garlic flavored olive oil (or substitute plain olive oil), rubbing oil all over potato.
Sprinkle with coarse salt and coarsely ground black pepper.
Pierce potato several times with tip of sharp knife in order to allow steam to escape.
Do NOT wrap in foil.
For soft potato skins, DO wrap in foil.
Bake at 400°F for about one hour or until done.
When potatoes are done, roll gently under hand to make mealy inside.
Immediately cut crosswise in top of each potato, pushing up on ends to fluff up.
Top each with some of the sauce.

The Baked Potato image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 1 potato per person

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 large russet potato (If it looks like Mr. Potato Head®, you've got the right one.)
Canola oil to coat
Kosher salt
Optional toppings, such as butter, sour cream, shredded Cheddar and/or scallions

Steps:

Heat oven to 350 degrees and position racks in top and bottom thirds. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another. It will pop right open. But watch out, there will be some steam. Add toppings if using.