Baked Potato

Ingredients

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Scrub the potato under warm water with a clean scrubbing sponge or brush. Pat dry. Use your hands to rub the potato with oil. Sprinkle the skin evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place the potato on a baking sheet (placing it directly on the oven rack could lead to oil dripping and smoking). Bake until the potato is tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour; test it either by protecting your hand with an oven mitt or folded kitchen towel and giving it a gentle squeeze, or check to see if a paring knife or fork slides in easily.
Let the potato cool for about 5 minutes, then cut a lengthwise slit in the middle. Mash the exposed flesh with a fork. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Enjoy as is or add your favorite toppings.