Bean and Cheese Baked Potato

Method

Give the potato skin a good clean and scrub
Cook the potato

In the microwave:
Give the potato 5-6 pokes with a fork to pierce, a few pierces in each side. If you forget to do this the pressure can build inside the potato and it might explode!

• Place on a microwaveable plate.
• Microwave on high. Time will depend on the size of the potato. For a medium potato start with about 5 minutes. (Some microwaves will have settings for potatoes).
• Take the potato out and turn it over and cook for another 5 minutes.
• After this cooking period, the inside of the potato should be nice and soft. If not, put it back for a few more minutes until you can slide a knife through without feeling resistance.
• Cook the baked beans according to the instructions and serve on top with grated cheese.

You can finish a microwaved baked potato off in the oven to get a crispier skin, just preheat the oven to 200oC and once cooked through put it in the hot oven for about 20 minutes.

In the oven:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• Rub a little oil over each potato and put on the top shelf of the oven.
• Bake for 20 mins, then turn down the oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5 and bake for 45 mins-1 hr more until the skin is crisp and the inside soft.
• Cook the baked beans according to the instructions and serve on top with grated cheese