
Jacket potatoes will turn crispy in £6.50 ingredient and cooked in the microwave
Jacket potatoes are a quick and easy meal option, but cooking them in the oven can take hours - however, a food expert has revealed how to cook them to perfection in the microwave.
Whether you're a fan of the classic cheese and beans combo or prefer a tuna topping on your jacket spud, this humble dish is a quick and tasty dinner solution.
While baking them in the oven can yield a delightfully crispy skin and fluffy inside, it's a slow process that can take up to two hours. However, we've got the perfect method that will leave you wondering why you haven't thought about it before.
Jacket potatoes are a staple in British culture, and a comfort food for many. They're not only delicious and consumed all-year round, but they can also be stuffed with a lot of different ingredients, including: baked beans, bacon, cheese, tuna, chilli con carne... You choose!
After a long day at work and a commute back home, not everyone has the energy to cook a whole meal from scratch. or the time to wait until it's ready to eat. But don't worry, compared to the traditional oven method, zapping them in the microwave takes mere minutes.
Good Food has dished out a straightforward recipe for creating the perfect microwaved baked potato, using just a handful of ingredients and following some simple steps. This is also perfect for those who aren't kitchen experts, or if you simply want an easy, convenient and filling meal.
How to make jacket potatoes using a microwave
Here's what you'll need for two servings:
A teaspoon of olive oil.
Two sheets of kitchen roll.
One microwave-safe plate.
Step-by-step instructions:
Prick your potatoes all over to let steam escape and prevent any messy microwave explosions. Place one sheet of kitchen roll on a microwave-safe plate, pop your potatoes on top, then cover with another sheet of kitchen roll.
For a slightly crispy skin, give your spuds a little rub with some oil before they hit the microwave. Cook for four minutes, flip them over, re-cover with the kitchen roll, and zap for another four minutes.
Continue cooking in one to two minute bursts until they're soft throughout and the skins are slightly crisp and wrinkled.
Let them cool a bit before piling on your favourite topping and tucking in.
By following these simple instructions, you'll be making the best spuds - and they'll come out perfectly cooked every single time. Choosing your own toppings, your breakfast, lunch and dinner will be ready to devour in less than five minutes. Not only is the microwave method is much better and quicker, but the cleaning is minimal!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Powys County Times
D-Day landings boosted by import of ‘wonder drug' to Britain, archives reveal
The D-Day landings were boosted by the import from America of a 'wonder drug', unearthed documents reveal. Production of the antibiotic penicillin had struggled to take hold at a large scale in Britain, despite being discovered in 1928 in London by Sir Alexander Fleming. Attempts to produce substantial quantities of medicine from the bacteria-killing mould had not been achieved by the start of the Second World War. Then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill became increasingly frustrated that Britain had not been able to produce enough penicillin in the preparations for the Normandy landings in 1944. Official papers released by the National Archive – containing handwritten notes by Sir Winston – highlight efforts to boost quantities of the antibiotic, with Britain eventually forced to import it from America. The documents were released ahead of the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. In one report on February 19, after the issue had been raised in the House of Commons, Sir Winston scrawled in red ink on a Ministry of Supply report noting the Americans were producing greater quantities: 'I am sorry we can't produce more.' On another paper, he complained: 'Your report on penicillin showing that we are only to get about one tenth of the expected output this year, is very disappointing.' Elsewhere in the same file he instructs: 'Let me have proposals for a more abundant supply from Great Britain.' With preparations for D-Day ramped up, efforts to deliver enough American-made penicillin for frontline military personnel soon became a matter of urgency. Decisions needed to be made on the quantities of antibiotic imported, how much to administer to individual patients, and how to get medical staff trained in time. Most British doctors did not know how to issue penicillin – until this point, doctors had nothing available to treat infections like pneumonia and many people died of blood poisoning after minor injuries because no drug existed that could cure them. Early in January 1944, Prof FR Fraser, the Ministry of Health's adviser on the organisation of wartime hospitals, wrote that 50,000-100,000 wounded could be expected from the Second Front. He proposed the Emergency Medical Services might need as many as five billion units of penicillin per month for this. Further documents show discussions on whether the antibiotic should be supplied as calcium or sodium salts, or in tablet form. Ultimately, it was agreed powdered calcium salts would be issued for superficial wounds and sodium salts for use in deep wounds. On May 24 1944, less than a fortnight before D-Day, Prof Fraser reported: 'Sufficient supplies of penicillin are now available for the treatment of battle casualties in EMS hospitals, but not for ordinary civilian patients.' Plans were made for casualties from the frontline in France to be brought back to coastal hospitals in Britain for treatment. A week before D-Day, on May 30 1944, hospitals were instructed to treat battlefield patients en route: 'In an endeavour to prevent the development of gas gangrene and sepsis in wounds the War Office have arranged for the treatment of selected cases by penicillin to be commenced as soon after injury as possible.' Injections of penicillin were to be given to them at intervals of not more than five hours and patients would be wearing a yellow label with the letters 'PEN'. The time and size of penicillin doses should be written on it, they were told. Dr Jessamy Carlson, modern records specialist at the National Archives, said: 'File MH 76/184 gives a glimpse into the extraordinary levels of preparation undertaken in advance of the D-Day landings. 'Only six weeks before, penicillin is just reaching our shores in quantities which will allow it to play a major role in improving the outcomes for service personnel wounded in action.' As Allied forces made inroads into Europe, restrictions on the use of penicillin for civilians began to relax, but only in special cases. In July 1944, Ronald Christie, professor of medicine, wrote to Prof Fraser to tell him: 'The War Office approves of American penicillin being used for medical conditions in service patients and for air raid casualties among civilians.' On the home front, demand for the new 'wonder' drug began to increase, according the National Archives. It was decided that penicillin for civilians should only be supplied to larger hospitals where the staff had been properly trained to administer it.


Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The £3.99 Lidl plant you need in your garden – it has gorgeous big flowers until November & grows back bigger every year
Scroll down for more guidance on how to look after the plant over winter FLOWER POWER The £3.99 Lidl plant you need in your garden – it has gorgeous big flowers until November & grows back bigger every year THE delightful Dahlia is one of the UK's most popular flowers - and you can get yours for as cheap as chips. The classic British favourite is in full bloom now – and with a little bit of help, they're the gardening gift that will keep on giving until November. 2 The beautiful plant could last through the winter Credit: Lidl Lidl is selling the low maintenance Dahlia for just £3.99 in a range of stunning colours. Happy customers commented online: "Tubers bought in Lidl... can't wait for flowers." A second added: "I found the Lidl ones my best last year." A third user posted a photo of her flowering Dahlias and wrote: "One of the Lidl. Only one survived. All others were ruined by snails and slugs. This one is three years old and always leaving it in the soil for winter." Native to Mexico, dahlias are back in fashion, with gardeners growing them for big bold border displays or as cut flowers. With their vast colours and strong flower power, they're also a magnet to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing essential pollen for several months of the year. How to look after dahlias During the summer, the perennial plants like regular feeding and watering, and if given the right care, will grow again next spring-summer. Dahlias favour warm, sunny, sheltered spots with free-draining soil. However, going into winter, dahlias need specific treatment to survive, and it's called 'overwintering'. Trying out Lidl's new weeding tools When to lift and store dahlia tubers When the green foliage has been damaged by frost, you want to dig the tubers up. If the frost is late, dig the tubers by late November. If you live in a climate where temperatures rarely drop below freezing and the soil is well-draining, dahlias can be left in the ground. If you choose to leave them in the ground, add a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect the tubers. If the dahlias are in pots, or you don't want to risk leaving them in the ground because of freezing temperatures, then using a shovel, dig the tubers out - but be careful not to damage them. TOP TIPS FOR GROWING DAHLIAS How to keep Dahlia's growing for longer Use chicken feed and growmore to get them going - rose food is a good substitute. Grow from tubers not seed - you get more flowers. Water and deadhead daily. The new buds are solid to the touch - don't cut these off. Plant up the plugs in early April. In late April put overwintered tubers into compost, store in a greenhouse/windowsill/polytunnel, water once a day. Don't harden off, and when they get to 30cms - 50cms high - second week in June, get them in the ground. Plant randomly rather than colour coordinated - if you plant randomly the display is better. To encourage bees - grow the collarette-type of dahlia. Remove any soil from the tubers and let them dry out for a few days in a cool, dark, frost-free place. Make sure to check for any rotten or damaged areas and cut them off. Dividing dahlia tubers Dahlia tubers grow bigger each year, and this presents a gardener with the opportunity to divide them and have more plants. To divide dahlia tubers, using a clean, sharp knife or saw, cut them apart. Note - this should be done in late autumn or early spring only. 2 Lidl is offering a great price on the flowering plant Credit: Alamy Lidl shoppers can pick up gorgeous flowering plants that will brighten your outdoor space from late spring all the way through to autumn, meaning you'll get plenty of bang for your buck. The bargain superstore is also stocking large perennials for just £4.99, and Hibiscus plants for only £6.99, which will add colour and height to any patio or garden display. Lidl customers can add a "whimsical" touch to their flowerbeds for just £3. And for those looking to spruce up their indoor space, Lidl also has a fresh selection of houseplants and stylish ceramic pots in-store now.


The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
D-Day landings boosted by import of ‘wonder drug' to Britain, archives reveal
Attempts to produce substantial quantities of medicine from the bacteria-killing mould had not been achieved by the start of the Second World War. Then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill became increasingly frustrated that Britain had not been able to produce enough penicillin in the preparations for the Normandy landings in 1944. Official papers released by the National Archive – containing handwritten notes by Sir Winston – highlight efforts to boost quantities of the antibiotic, with Britain eventually forced to import it from America. The documents were released ahead of the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Official papers highlight the efforts to boost quantities of penicillin (The National Archives/PA) In one report on February 19, after the issue had been raised in the House of Commons, Sir Winston scrawled in red ink on a Ministry of Supply report noting the Americans were producing greater quantities: 'I am sorry we can't produce more.' On another paper, he complained: 'Your report on penicillin showing that we are only to get about one tenth of the expected output this year, is very disappointing.' Elsewhere in the same file he instructs: 'Let me have proposals for a more abundant supply from Great Britain.' With preparations for D-Day ramped up, efforts to deliver enough American-made penicillin for frontline military personnel soon became a matter of urgency. Decisions needed to be made on the quantities of antibiotic imported, how much to administer to individual patients, and how to get medical staff trained in time. Most British doctors did not know how to issue penicillin – until this point, doctors had nothing available to treat infections like pneumonia and many people died of blood poisoning after minor injuries because no drug existed that could cure them. Royal Navy D-Day veteran John Dennett, 101, at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer to mark the 81st anniversary of the landings (Gareth Fuller/PA) Early in January 1944, Prof FR Fraser, the Ministry of Health's adviser on the organisation of wartime hospitals, wrote that 50,000-100,000 wounded could be expected from the Second Front. He proposed the Emergency Medical Services might need as many as five billion units of penicillin per month for this. Further documents show discussions on whether the antibiotic should be supplied as calcium or sodium salts, or in tablet form. Ultimately, it was agreed powdered calcium salts would be issued for superficial wounds and sodium salts for use in deep wounds. On May 24 1944, less than a fortnight before D-Day, Prof Fraser reported: 'Sufficient supplies of penicillin are now available for the treatment of battle casualties in EMS hospitals, but not for ordinary civilian patients.' Plans were made for casualties from the frontline in France to be brought back to coastal hospitals in Britain for treatment. A week before D-Day, on May 30 1944, hospitals were instructed to treat battlefield patients en route: 'In an endeavour to prevent the development of gas gangrene and sepsis in wounds the War Office have arranged for the treatment of selected cases by penicillin to be commenced as soon after injury as possible.' Military reenactors watch the sunrise over Gold Beach in Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy, on the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings (Gareth Fuller/PA) Injections of penicillin were to be given to them at intervals of not more than five hours and patients would be wearing a yellow label with the letters 'PEN'. The time and size of penicillin doses should be written on it, they were told. Dr Jessamy Carlson, modern records specialist at the National Archives, said: 'File MH 76/184 gives a glimpse into the extraordinary levels of preparation undertaken in advance of the D-Day landings. 'Only six weeks before, penicillin is just reaching our shores in quantities which will allow it to play a major role in improving the outcomes for service personnel wounded in action.' As Allied forces made inroads into Europe, restrictions on the use of penicillin for civilians began to relax, but only in special cases. In July 1944, Ronald Christie, professor of medicine, wrote to Prof Fraser to tell him: 'The War Office approves of American penicillin being used for medical conditions in service patients and for air raid casualties among civilians.' On the home front, demand for the new 'wonder' drug began to increase, according the National Archives. It was decided that penicillin for civilians should only be supplied to larger hospitals where the staff had been properly trained to administer it. Only in 1946 did it become fully available for the general public.