Potatoes are actually quite a challenging vegetable to cook properly, given their high water content which turns into steam when baked. Naturally, without the right techniques, your baked potatoes may end up as soft as boiled ones. To prevent this, aluminum foil is often the go-to choice.
However, aluminum foil merely traps the steam inside the potato, prolonging the cooking time and ultimately resulting in a sticky skin. It's also worth reminding ourselves of the potential harm aluminum foil can cause.
So, what's the solution to this problem?
Before popping your potatoes into the oven, apply a thin layer of salt. Salt aids in rapidly drying out the potato skin during cooking, ensuring minimal steam release. It also enhances the flavor and forms a protective layer around the potato, reducing the chances of burning or charring.