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Preheat oven to 400F and set oven rack to lower-middle position.
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Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil, set aside.
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Using a sharp knife, cut a thin slice off what will be the bottom of each potato.
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Place two thin bamboo skewers on a cutting board and Place a potato between them. Cut slits into the potato 1/8” apart, being careful to cut down only to the skewers. (The skewers should prevent the potatoes from being cut all the way through).
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Repeat the process with each potato.
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Place potatoes in ice water to let soak for 10 minutes. This releases the potato starches and the potatoes will fan open better while baking.
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After 10 minutes, remove potatoes from ice water bath and dry them with a paper towel.
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Place potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. (**See Notes about preparing ahead.)
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Combine melted butter and oil then brush each potato with the butter/oil mixture.
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Sprinkle with salt, pepper.
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Bake potatoes 15 minutes.
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Take potatoes out of the oven and brush potatoes with butter/oil mixture. (If needed, before placing the potatoes back in the oven, gently nudge the sliced layers apart before brushing with oil/butter mixture.)
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Bake potatoes another 15 minutes.
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Remove potatoes from the oven, brush with butter/oil mixture.
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At this point, and if desired, sprinkle potatoes with extras.
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Bake 10-15 more minutes until potatoes are crispy but flesh is soft. *See Notes
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Remove from oven and serve immediately with optional extras mentioned above.
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Enjoy!