Microwave oven

Cooking time in the microwave oven will vary depending on size, shape, kind of potato and power of microwave oven. Some microwave ovens already have a special setting to bake potatoes programmed.

To microwave more than one potato increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes for each potato, turning once halfway through cooking time.

Conventional oven

Baking extra potatoes will not change time. Add as many as you want, keep them apart on the pan.

You can bake the potatoes at a lower temperature for longer -i.e. 1 1/2-2 hours at 350 F (160 C)- this also applies to baking them in one of the lower shelves, when you cook them together with other dishes.

General

Some toppings are bulky. There is nothing to prevent you from cutting the potato in half, lengthwise, heap the topping on both halves, and serve, instead of making the cross incision at the top.

Apply the same rule for fillings, some come out nice if you cut only the top of the potato and reserve it. Scoop, mash and refill, put the "hats" back and reheat.

Russets are supposed to make the best baked potatoes.

Butter - If nothing else, put a large piece of butter on top of the baked potato.

Cream and chives - Top potatoes with 1-2 Tbs fresh thick cream or sour cream, and sprinkle generously with snipped chives.

Cream and garlic - Mix 1-2 Tbs whipped cream with 1 small garlic clove crushed or a pinch of powdered garlic; top potato with that mix.

Cottage cheese and chives - Mix ½ cup cottage or farmers cheese with Tbs chopped chives, season to taste.

Tuna and sweet corn - Mix 1-2 oz tuna with ½ cup canned sweet corn and 1 Tbs mayonnaise.

Chili con carne or sloppy joe - Top your potato with ½-¾ cup chili con carne.

Baked beans - Heap warm baked beans on top.

Egg mayonnaise - Chop 1 hard boiled egg and mix with 1-2 Tbs mayonnaise.

Crab, lobster or tuna salad - All of them make great toppings.

Smoked salmon and cream - Mix ½ cup smoked salmon trimmings with 1-2 Tbs cream, sour cream, cream cheese or yogurt. Add 1 tsp finely chopped capers if desired.

Caviar and cream - Use caviar substitute, mix with thick cream or sour cream.

Leftover pasta sauce or ratatouille - Serve as side to a meat dish.

Mix the pulp with tomato sauce, season with salt, pepper and chopped parsley. Serve as side to a meat dish.

Mix the pulp with chopped white from 1 hard boiled egg, 1 tsp butter or thick cream, 1-2 tsp chopped nuts. Garnish with the yolk once out of the oven.

Mash the pulp from 4 bake potatoes with 1 egg, well beaten, 2 Tbs thick cream, 2 Tbs butter, and 1 tsp minced parsley; season to taste.

Cheese - 1½ Tbs thick cream or 1 Tsp milk + 1 tsp butter, 1-2 Tbs grated cheese, ½ tsp mustard; season with salt, pepper. Can add beaten egg if desired. Mix with the mashed pulp.

Cheese and chutney or cheese and pickles - 1½ Tbs thick cream or 1 Tsp milk + 1 tsp butter, 1-2 Tbs grated cheese, 1-2 tsp chutney or your favorite pickled sauce, 1 Tbs finely chopped celery; season with salt, pepper. Mix with the mashed pulp.

Bacon or ham - 1½ Tbs thick cream or 1 Tsp milk + 1 tsp butter, 1-2 Tbs finely chopped fried bacon or ham; season with salt, pepper. Can add beaten egg if desired. Mix with the mashed pulp. Sprinkle top with grated cheese if desired.

Mushrooms and bacon - Sauté 1 slice bacon, cut in thin stripes, ¾ cup sliced mushrooms, 1 Tbs chopped onion in olive oil until. Mix with the mashed pulp. Sprinkle some grated cheese before returning to the oven.

Mix pulp with butter, season and refill. Crack an egg on each half potato. Return to the oven.

Mix the pulp with 1 oz flaked tuna, 2 tsp finely chopped parsley, 2 tsp butter or thick cream; season with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Sprinkle grated cheese if desired.

Smoked fish - 1½ Tbs thick cream or 1 Tsp milk + 1 tsp butter, 1-2 Tbs flaked smoked haddock or mackerel, or smoked trout or salmon trimmings, ¼ tsp mustard; season with salt, pepper. Can add beaten egg if desired. Mix with the mashed pulp.

Leftover meat - Mix the mashed pulp with ¼ cup chopped cooked or canned meat, chicken or turkey and 1-2 Tbs thick cream or butter; season to taste. Sprinkle with grated cheese if desired.

Leftover vegetables - Mix the mashed pulp with ¼ cup creamed vegetables or vegetables in tomato sauce, 1 Tbs thick cream, or 1 Tbs butter. Sprinkle with grated cheese.

Potatoes soufflé - Mix the mashed pulp with 1 egg yolk and 1 egg white, whipped to stiff snow peaks. Flavor with butter and 2 tsp chopped anchovy fillets, or 1-2 Tbs grated cheese, or 1 Tbs grated cheese and 1 Tbs chopped cooked broccoli. Grill.