25 Minute Jacket Potatoes

I refuse to believe that you have to cook a potato for an hour or more to get the 'perfect' jacket potato. By the time I get in from work and the school run I do not have this kind of time to wait for dinner. My way cuts the time in half, but still produces lovely jackets that are crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. 
I am serving mine with some left over 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink Chilli' that I got from the Freezer, it is a great pairing.


Ingredients: 
- Potatoes (preferably Maris Piper)
- Butter
- Topping of choice (cheese, chilli, tuna mayo)

• Pre-heat the oven on to 200 degrees (gas mark 7-8).
• Get a sharp knife or fork and pierce each potato on the top, bottom and each side. Then set them on a plate.
• Place in the microwave, cover and switch on for 5 minutes. Once it goes off, turn the potatoes over (careful they are hot) and put back in for another 5 minutes.
• Use the time that you are waiting to get your topping ready, I have placed my chilli in a pan and simmered until I need it.
• Once they are done squeeze them to see if they start to  give way. If they do not, put back in for another 5 minutes.
• Place the potatoes directly on the rack in the oven, you don't need a tray. Leave for 10-15 minutes, checking and turning after 5 minutes have passed. 
• The potatoes should be nice and crispy, take them out, cut open, put a little butter in the middle and spoon your topping over.