-t (I'm potato and gadget obsessed, which is no reflection on Emily, and a very sad one on me), what brand is that? Sounds like it'd make a great ottoman.

-t, I considered getting one of those since I didn't have the space for microwave and toaster oven. I knew the slow microwaving would drive me batshit, though, so in the end I sacrificed versatility for speed.

There's always the danger of getting lost in a potato discussion, isn't there?

It's true. All the same, folks, there's a good bit of Chaucer and medieval theology in the story, if anybody's interested. Just let me know when the potato fever has passed.

Also, if you have an opinion on balsamic v. red wine vinegar for pasta salad dressing.

I fail to taste teh difference between potatoes microwaved, baked in an electric oven, and baked in a gas oven. All yummy and potatolicious, if you ask me.

I think the difference is in the skin, more than in the innards. The innards always taste the same to me, provided I cook them sufficiently. But the skin is better in the oven, than in the microwave. I pre-nuke, like Betsy suggests.

I haven't noticed a difference between my electric oven (which I generally hate) and my old gas love (my own, my precious).

Nothing to add on the gadgetry front, but a note that the restaurant wherein we karaoke every week deep-fries their baked potatoes. Poke, plop them in the oil, remove, put in oven to finish, and voila. Yummiest baked potato evAR.

It's true. All the same, folks, there's a good bit of Chaucer and medieval theology in the story, if anybody's interested

P.S. And there's a math pun in the theology. For widespread appeal.

Microwaved baked potatoes seem to me more chunky and less likely to disintegrate into cloud-like numminess. That hour you wait for the oven-baked potato is an hour well spent.

You know, I'm realizing that my notion of deep-frying seems to require breading. In fact, I'm having trouble envisioning deep-frying without breading. Well, apart from french fries.

Oh, oh, oh! But before I left for the wedding, I finished my math exhibition guide and gave my presentation on using writing to teach math, and I got a 35 out of 35 on the report and presentation! Mind you, he's a pretty enthusiastic teacher, but I don't think everybody got a 35.

I'm having trouble envisioning deep-frying without breading. Well, apart from french fries.

Buffalo Wings.

hayden: you're right, but it's like aspirin. By the time I put it in the oven, I want the headache gone now. And by the time my headache actually goes away, I've already eaten a full box of Cheezits and no longer need it.

Kind of mixed my analogies there, didn't I? Sorry, I'm only half-awake and have been since Tuesday. On the other hand... ooh, pretty nail polish!