1. Scrub the potato, and prick several times with the tines of a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook at full power for 5 minutes. A medium size potato should be done. If it's not, turn it over and cook for another 3-5 minutes. If it's still hard in the middle, cook in additional 1-minute increments until done.

2. When the potato is soft, remove from the microwave, and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper, and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top with cottage cheese and then salsa.

3. Alternatively pierce potato with a fork and place in baking tray - bake in the oven at 350F for approximately 1 hours. pierce again with a fork to check doneness.