So, all the dining halls are closed and you’re too tired to trek out into the vast unknown to grab a bite to eat. Your stomach is growling, hungry for a rich, filling meal. But don’t fret—no longer must you suffer, because it’s surprisingly easy to feast on a hearty baked potato with the press of a button. Here are five easy steps that’ll show you how to bake potatoes in the microwave—all you need is a potato and whatever toppings you wish to make your meal unique.
Step 1: Clean the Potato
The first thing you should do when working with potatoes is to do a thorough scrubbing. Potato dishes can come in many forms, but they all originate from the same starchy vegetable. To ensure your meal doesn’t contain anything it shouldn’t, be sure to scrub off the dirt and other unwanted particles with a brush (like this one), some water, and a little elbow grease.
Step 2: Poke Holes in the Potato
If you’ve been struggling with school or just want to let out some anger, there’s no better way to channel that energy than into the potato. Don’t go crazy, but a quick few stabs with a fork will prevent the potato from exploding and making a mess in your microwave. Be sure to get about five jabs or so in each side.
Then, place the potato on a microwave-safe plate. If you are living the full college experience and don’t have a plate on hand, feel free to wipe down the microwave a little and place the soon-to-be baked goodness right on the surface of the microwave.
Step 3: Cook It
It’s time to let the microwave take the wheel and work its magic. Make sure your microwave is set to full power and simply cook the potato for five minutes.
Don’t wanna want to just wait around for five minutes? Chop up some veggies or make a chive sour cream to top your potato once it’s done.
Step 4: Flip It Over
You’re almost there! Once your potato has baked for the first five minutes, flip it over and cook for another five minutes.
Step 5: Eat It
And… You’re done! You’ve waited an agonizing 10 minutes for the perfect baked potato whipped up all in a microwave, so you deserve to enjoy it. Top your baked delight with butter, cheese, sour cream, or whatever scrumptious additions your heart desires.
Want to save your creation for later? Simply wrap it up with some aluminum foil and have a deliciously easy meal later.