4 or 8 lg. or med. potatoes
2 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. butter

TOPPINGS:

Grated aged cheese
Parmesan cheese
Onions, green onions
Chives
Favorite spices

Choose potatoes that are even in size for better baking. Peel them. Place potatoes on end lengthwise. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each potato. Cut thin slices form end to end, but keep form cutting all the way through. Make a fan. Place on a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt. Add toppings of choice. Dot with butter.

Bake at 425 degrees covered for about 1 hour or until soft inside. Check with fork. If potatoes are very big, reduce temperature to 400 degrees and increase baking time.

NOTE: If topping with cheese, do this step last.