I Tried Martha Stewart’s Mind-Blowing Baked Potato Secret

Food & Drink
I Tried Martha Stewart’s Mind-Blowing Baked Potato Secret
potatoes
Photo by Hai Nguyen on Unsplash

Everyone has their favorite comfort food, don’t they? Baked potatoes are a popular choice for many. There is a good reason why it is a classic. When making it at home, people tend to find their own way. The difference could be the preparation you do before baking, or it could be that the oven temperatures are different. For the most part, though, people generally agree on a type of potato. The potatoes you want are usually the russet kind.

Many people consider russet potatoes to be the baked potato of choice. This idea makes sense, and those who prefer tradition choose russet potatoes when baking. This is because russet potatoes contain a lot of starch. They also have very little water, which helps keep them dry. The thick skin of the potatoes helps make them crispy. These points will help you get the results you want. That is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. It makes sense when you think about it.

Martha Stewart, a culinary expert, is known for her standards of perfection. She has a different idea of what a baked potato should be, though it seems to run counter to what most people think is the right thing to do.

A few years ago, a story about her went viral. Martha posted a photo on her Instagram account. It was a baked potato with a generous drizzle of sour cream on top. It was as neat as a baked potato should be. But the words she wrote underneath were key, and her caption changed my conventional thinking. She mentioned roasting Yukon Gold potatoes in the oven. She slow roasted them at 325 degrees for an hour and a half. The use of Yukon Gold potatoes in baking seems unexpected.

buttered potato
Photo by Mahmoud Fawzy on Unsplash

Senior editor Sara Bir addressed this topic. She noted that potatoes with high moisture content lend themselves to the moist heat method, and that methods such as boiling or steaming work for these types of potatoes. This usually includes red-skinned or Yukon gold potatoes. They are less starchy than the russet potatoes you see. When hot roasted, they have a denser texture. This is not the best choice for our favorite soft baked potato. That’s the general understanding of the types of potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are usually used primarily for mashed potatoes. Their waxy, dense texture and moisture are great for mashed potatoes.

So, for us, the big question seemed pretty straightforward. What is Martha’s reason for supporting Yukon Gold potatoes for baking jobs? The key is in the steps that are developed specifically for the potatoes she’s using. Martha doesn’t treat a Yukon Gold potato like she would a regular russet potato. She gives it a completely different amount of time in the oven, voila.

Her suggested baking plan uses much less heat than usual. It also takes longer to cook. Standard russet baking requires higher temperatures, usually 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Baking is quick, usually no more than an hour. This results in a quick roast with a crispy exterior and soft interior. Martha opts for a mild, low-temperature roast. She bakes Yukon tuna at 325°F for several hours. This takes a total of 90 minutes to bake the potatoes. The lower temperature and longer baking time result in very tender potatoes. She knows that this prevents potatoes with a high moisture content from drying out.

buttered potato
Photo by Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash

It’s this unexpected step that makes this method truly unique. It happens after the potatoes leave the oven to slow heat. You can do this while the potatoes are still hot. She suggests holding each potato with a clean kitchen cloth. This is important for safety because they are hot. Then gently smash it on the kitchen counter.

Let’s think about the smashing part for a moment. Gently smashing a freshly baked potato sounds weird. You’ll feel like it’s almost the opposite of what you just did. Like you’re ruining a carefully baked potato. But the reason for doing this is clear and smart. A light tap is meant to fluff up the inside of the potato a little bit. It also helps to crack the outer skin. Imagine holding a tightly wrapped hot potato. As you push it against the counter, feel it gently loosen. What you need to do is not push it hard. Instead, push it gently on purpose. It moves the insides and breaks the surface tension of the skin.

They talk about what this slow roasting and breaking does to the potato. It says that the potato results in a skin that becomes very thin. And this skin is crisp, which means it crumbles easily. This is different from baked, thick-skinned potatoes. This thin, crispy skin feels delicate when you bite into it. It loosens easily and is a different sensation.

And what about the inside part of the potato skin? The words used to describe it are very tantalizing. It mentions that the inside is “encased in rich butter and extreme creaminess.” Rich and buttery are words that jump out at you. They promise to satisfy one deep inside when consumed. And the word used here is “extremely creamy.” You see, the word “extreme” is not just a word. It implies a higher level of creaminess than regular cream. The texture is smooth, rich and almost melts in your mouth. And here’s where you realize it’s very special. Because Yukon Gold grapes are usually less starchy, remember? They tend to maintain a denser feel after roasting.

roast potato
Photo by Yolanda Djajakesukma on Unsplash

So how do potatoes, known for their density, become so delicate on the inside? I’m told it’s due to the low and slow heat of the oven. It changes the natural characteristics of the Yukon Gold potato. This type of cooking breaks down the starches and allows the moisture to spread. This gives us the promised creamy flavor. This “low and slow roasting turns them into a delightfully light and creamy dish.”

Recipe details: Artichoke-And-Yukon Gold Potato Gratin
Level: Unknown        Servings: 10
Total weight: 2056.5 g        Calories: 2420.7 kcal
Energy: 2420.7 kcal        Protein: 85.2 g
Carbs: 282.0 g        Fat: 114.7 g
Dish Tags: mediterranean, main course, lunch/dinner, Balanced, High-Fiber, Sugar-Conscious, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, Sulfites

Ingredients:
1 lemon
4 small artichokes
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped (about 1 medium clove)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
4 ounces Asiago cheese, grated (I used cave-aged Gruyere, because it’s my favorite)

simple potato trick
Baked potatoes, British recipe, Photo by cookipedia.co.uk, is licensed under CC BY 4.0

It’s interesting to think that this simple method can produce such a result. Just change the potatoes, lower the heat, increase the time, and then gently smash them. This is so exciting for home cooks.

This is a compelling and very bold statement. “After trying this method, you may never go back to the old way of making baked potatoes”. This is high praise indeed, and a strong endorsement of this method. Martha’s process creates a great potato experience. It makes you wonder if other culinary rules can be broken as well.

Martha’s Yukon Gold Medal dishes are definitely a favorite. It is perfect for those times when you need a little more time. This dish requires precision and patience at times, and it gives you layers of melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Understated potatoes can be elevated to gourmet heights. Kitchen adventure must be waiting for you to try it.

Related posts:
Potato Pavé Recipe (With Video and Step
Martha Stewart’s Secret for Perfect Baked Potatoes Every Time!

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