h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

one of my favourite childhood memories is being at a Fireworks party and eating a spud out of the foil with soured cream and chives in it. Kept my hands lovely and toasty warm too!

Oh yes, potatoes baked in the embers of a fire. Definitely the best, all that crispy skin and fluffy, soft inside. I recommend eating the skin too although it's not the same if they have been microwaved.

I agree. I was surprised to find sour cream and chives not mentioned. Also sometimes added to this is crumbled bacon or bacon bits (small chunks immitation bacon). In the Southern US, this is just about the only way you will get a baked potato. The only alternative is to ask for butter only. Anything else and the waitress at the local diner will get you funny looks.

Baked beans, cheese and Bacon. The only way to go. If you want to do it properly, you should put the spud back in the oven to toast the cheese a little as well.

If you're putting it back in the oven try this one. Bake your potato, scoop out the inside and mash with cheese, fold in a little finely chopped onion and a grind of black pepper. Top with a further sprinkle of grated cheese (I recommend a good strong cheddar ) then back in the oven until the cheese is bubbling. Heaven .

I once had one in a pub that was prepared in a very similar way. It was the most complicated jacket potato I have ever had. It went back into the oven two or three times, being mashed up and having different amounts of cheese and butter added each time. When it was finished, it tasted exactly like brown bread!

I like this version of the baked potato:

Bake 4 potatoes (follow excellent Guide instructions)
scoop out flesh and mash together with: a little butter/margerine, herb brie, sour cream and 1 beaten egg
put the mashed potato mix back in the skins and bake in the oven until risen and a little browned on top
Eat them all yourself and don't let anyone else have any

That sounds delicious.

I'm not sure I could eat 4 potatoes, though.

Well, really it's a snack / light meal for 4. And, strangely, in common with most baked potatoe dishes it goes well with coleslaw.