MICROWAVE DO'S AND DON'TS
Source of Recipe
Val at the Round Table
List of Ingredients
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Things to do with a Microwave Oven
. Get more juice from citrus fruit... Gently warm a lemon, lime, or orange before squeezing by hand or using a juicer - Heat on full power for about 10 seconds.
. Plump and soften raisins and other dried fruit ... Place the fruit in a small bowl; sprinkle with water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on full power for 30 to 40 seconds.
. Peel peaches or tomatoes... Pour water into a deep microwavable bowl or a glass measuring cup. Bring to a boil. Drop tomatoes or peaches in the water for only a few seconds each. The skin will loosen and peel off easily.
. Make applesauce.... For 4 to 6 servings - wash, core, and quarter two
pounds of apples. Do not peel. Use MacIntosh, Jonathan, Empire, Cortland
or a mixture of these varieties. Microwave in a covered, 3-quart glass
casserole on full power for 12 to 14 minutes. Process in a food mill for smooth applesauce. While it's still warm, add some brown sugar and a little cinnamon.
. Dry fresh herbs.. Lay a small bunch of fresh herbs between paper towels. Microwave on full power for 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool, then check to see if they are dry enough to crumble. If not, continue to microwave, 30 seconds at a time, until the herbs are completely dried. Store in an airtight container.
. Peel onions... Place onions on a covered microwave-safe plate and cook for 1 to 2 minutes at full power.
. Remove outer skin from garlic cloves... Put the cloves in a custard cup and microwave at 80% power for 30 seconds. Allow the cloves to cool enough so you can handle them, then lift away the skin.
. Blanch fresh vegetables before freezing ... Prepare the vegetables as
desired - wash, chop, peel, slice, etc. - then place in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a small amount of water, cover, and microwave on full power for 3 to 4 minutes per pound, stopping to stir and re-arrange halfway through. Drain, then immediately plunge the hot vegetables into ice cold water to quickly cool. Drain again, then pack the vegetables in zippered storage bags and freeze.
. Make refrigerated butter or margarine spreadable... Microwave 1 stick of butter or margarine for 20 seconds at 50% power.
. Melt butter, margarine or solid shortening... Microwave 1 stick of butter or margarine or 1/2 cup of shortening on full power for 45 seconds to 1 minute .
. Soften refrigerated cream cheese to use in a recipe... No need to let it stand at room temperature first. Unwrap an 8 oz. package of cream cheese and microwave at 50% power for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
. Make rock-hard ice cream easier to scoop... Microwave a full half gallon container for 30 seconds on full power to soften it just enough for scooping.
. Toast coconut... Spread coconut in a thin layer on a microwave safe pie plate or on a paper plate. Microwave on full power for 2 to 3 minutes or until light golden brown. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.
. Blanch almonds... Microwave a cup water until it begins to boil. Place almonds in a separate cup. Add enough boiling water to cover the almonds
and then microwave on full power for 30 seconds. Drain and rub off the
almond skins.
. Toast sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sliced or slivered
almonds.... Place a layer of seeds or nuts on a microwave safe plate that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Microwave seeds for 3 to 4 minutes on full power and nuts for 3 to 5 minutes on full power. Stop to toss gently or stir often. Brown very lightly since they will continue to darken as they cool.
. Melt caramel... Place 7 oz. of unwrapped caramels in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon water. Microwave, uncovered, on full power for 1- 1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds or until the caramel is melted and smooth.
. Melt baking chocolate... Place one or two squares at a time, each broken in half, in a microwave safe cup. Microwave, uncovered, on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes. After the first minute, stop to stir and check it about every 20 seconds As soon as most of the chocolate is melted, stir to finish. Even a slight amount or excess time can cause scorching.
. Make smooth sauces and gravies... Click on the picture below for a simple recipe for a basic white sauce and cheese sauce made in a microwave oven. images3/whitesauce
. Soften brown sugar... Place hardened brown sugar in a plastic bag. Add a slice of soft white bread or about a quarter of a fresh apple. Close the bag tightly and microwave on full power for 20 seconds. Discard the bread or apple and stir the sugar.
. Liquefy honey that has crystallized and hardened... Microwave at 50%
power, stopping to check at 15 second intervals. Crystallized honey will
liquefy quickly. Total time depends on the amount and the condition of the honey.
. Heat pancake and waffle syrup... Place an uncapped bottle of syrup or a filled syrup pitcher in the microwave. Microwave on full power, usually for only 35 to 45 seconds, depending on the amount of syrup.
. Make croutons and dry breadcrumbs... Microwave 4 cups of bread cubes or bread crumbs for 5 to 7 minutes at full power.
. Soften tortillas... Loosely wrap a stack of 3 to 4 corn or flour tortillas in waxed paper. Microwave on full power for 15 to 25 seconds.
. Freshen chips and snack crackers... Microwave, uncovered, for about one minute on full power.
. Cook healthier bacon... Use a microwave bacon rack to hang your bacon
up to "fry" in the microwave. Bacon browns the way you like it and the bacon fat drains into the base. Bacon Wave
. Remove splatters and odors from your microwave oven... Add the juice and peel of one lemon to a small bowl of water. Heat on full power for 5 minutes, then wipe the oven interior with damp cloth.
Things You SHOULD NOT DO with a Microwave Oven
. Do not heat baby's bottle in a microwave oven. Due to the possibility of uneven heating and hot spots, microwaving formula or milk for baby is not recommended. Use a microwave oven to heat water in a 2-cup glass measuring cup or in a deep, narrow bowl. Place the filled bottle in the hot water to heat instead.
. Do not leave the kitchen while popping a bag of microwave popcorn. Just a slight amount or extra time can scorch popcorn. Heat buildup can cause a fire. Set the timer according to the package instructions, using the shortest recommended time. Stop heating and remove the bag of popped corn from the microwave oven when the popping slows down.
. Do not use a microwave oven to cook stuffed chops or stuffed poultry. The meat inside may not cook completely.
. Do not uncover microwaved foods by lifting the side of the lid or the edge of the wrap that's closest to you. To prevent burns, uncover hot food by lifting the farthest edge and pulling it back towards you to carefully release steam.
. Do not salt food before cooking in a microwave oven. Salt draws moisture to the surface and forms a layer that slows the penetration of microwaves and increases the required cooking time. It can also make meat and vegetables tough and less juicy. Salt immediately after cooking instead.
. Do not cook eggs in their shells in a microwave oven. Steam that builds up inside the shell may cause the egg to explode.
. Do not attempt to deep-fry in a microwave oven.
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