Heat oven to 400°.

Choose baking potatoes of medium size. Scrub with a brush.

Rub with fat for soft skin.

Prick skin with fork to let steam escape during baking.

Bake until potatoes are tender (prick with fork to test) about 1 hour.

To serve plain baked potatoes, cut criss-cross gash on potato tops.

Squeeze until potato pops up through opening.

Season with salt, pepper, and butter and serve at once.