Perfect Baked Potatoes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 medium to large baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb.)
butter or margarine
salt
pepper
paprika
dairy sour cream (optional)
crumbled crisp bacon (optional)
finely chopped green onions (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425\u00b0.
Scrub potatoes well under cold running water.
Dry thoroughly with paper towels.
With fork, prick skins over entire surface.
(Brush potatoes with salad oil if you like skins soft after baking.)
Place potatoes right on oven rack and bake 50 to 60 minutes or until they are easily pierced with fork or feel soft when squeezed.
Slash an X in top of each potato.
Then, holding potato with pot holders, squeeze ends so steam can escape and potato fluffs up.
Add a pat of butter to each; sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika.
Or top with sour cream, bacon or green onions.
Makes 4 servings.