MICROWAVE COOKING TIPS
When using the microwave to defrost meat, the foods must be completely cooked right away. The microwave may have partially cooked part of the meat, and bacteria may grow if the food isn't thoroughly cooked. Arrange food evenly in the pans and follow directions for stirring, rotating and standing time. Most recipes are developed for use in a 700 watt oven. Check the food at the shortest time in the specified cooking range. Let the food stand as directed, then test using an instant read thermometer to be super safe, or test according to the recipe's doneness tests. You can easily cook it longer if the food isn't done. If you're wondering if a dish you own is microwave safe, there's an easy way to test it. Place a cup full of water and the dish you want to test in the microwave. Cook at 100% power for one minute. If the water gets hot and the dish you're testing stays cool, it is safe to use in the microwave. If the dish gets hot, it contains lead or metals and shouldn't be used in the microwave. Onions and other vegetables are easily sautéed in the microwave. Just chop as directed in the recipe, place in a safe container, add 1 Tbsp. of water and cook on HIGH for 1-2 minutes until soft. This is a great way to cook quickly with no added fat. In general, the outside sections of the food will cook more quickly. So arrange fish fillets, for example, so the thinner parts are toward the center. When cooking on any other power level than HIGH, the oven cooks by cycling power on and off, so the energy has a chance to move through the food without overcooking. MEDIUM and LOW power are generally used to soften, melt, and defrost foods, while HIGH is usually used for cooking. Follow the recipe! Remember to use microwave safe plastic wrap to cover the food while cooking if the recipe says to. Leave one corner uncovered to vent steam so it doesn't build up to dangerous levels. Pay careful attention to arranging the food, stirring, rotating, and standing instructions in the recipes. To easily clean the microwave, place 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice in 1 cup of water in a 2 cup liquid measuring cup. Microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, until the liquid is boiling. Let the liquid remain in the microwave, without opening the door, for 5 minutes. Remove the measuring cup. The microwave will easily wipe clean with a paper towel. MICROWAVE TIPS 1.MELT CHOCOLATE In a small microwave safe bowl, break 25g (1 oz) chocolate into pieces and add a tablespoon of milk, heat on High power for 1 - 2 minutes or until soft and the surface is shiny, stir until it is melted and smooth intexture. 2. SOFTEN BUTTER Place butter on a microwave safe plate, heat on Simmer power for 30 - 40 seconds. 3. DISSOLVE GELATIN In a small microwave safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin over measured liquid. Allow to stand for 1 minute. Heat on High power for 1- 2 minutes, stirring until dissolved 4. SQUEEZE CITRUS FRUITS MORE EASILY Prick the skin of the orange, lemon or lime that you wish to squeeze. Heat on High power for 15 - 20 seconds, or until just warm. Cut in half and squeeze to obtain fresh juice. 5. TOAST NUTS In a shallow microwave dish, spread out 50g (2oz) shelled nuts. Heat the nuts on High power for 2 ½ - 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. 6. PEEL TOMATOES Pour 600ml ( 1 pint ) boiling water into a microwave safe glass jug or bowl. Add 2 tomatoes and heat on High power for 45 - 60 seconds, or until the skins have split. Then place the tomatoes briefly in cold water and drain. The skins should now remove very easily. 7. PEEL SMALL ONIONS AND GARLIC In a microwaveable safe bowl place 75g (3oz) small, trimmed onions. Heat on high power for 45 seconds, then squeeze the onions at the stalk end until they pop out of their skins. To peel garlic place 3 cloves on a microwave safe plate. Heat on High power for 15 - 20 seconds, or until the cloves are just warm. Squeeze them at one end until they slide out of their skin. 8. REMOVE STRONG SMELLS FROM YOUR MICROWAVE After cooking, fish or curry for example, the smell may linger in your oven. This can be removed by squeezing lemon juice into a bowl of cold water, and heating on High power for several minutes to allow the steam to freshen the microwave. Alternatively cooking with highly flavored products such as wine, vinegar or lemon juice will also reduce any smells. 9. PROOFING DOUGH Place dough in a microwave safe bowl & heat on High power for 10 seconds. Allow to stand for 10 minutes and then heat on High power again for 10 seconds. Leave in the microwave oven until the dough has doubled in size. 10. BRING CHEESE TO ROOM TEMPERATURE To enjoy the full flavor of your cheese, bring it to room temperature before serving, if you normally keep it in the fridge. Place 225g (8oz) unwrapped cheese on a microwave safe plate, and just before serving heat on Medium power for 45 - 60 seconds MICROWAVE MAINTENANCE Interior cleaning Clean the inside of your microwave frequently. Food particles and splatters absorb some of the microwave energy while the unit is operating and may cause burns and other damage to the microwave. Surge protection Because microwave ovens have solid state circuitry inside, they're susceptible to damage from voltage spikes caused by lightening, etc. We recommend that you plug your microwave into an appropriate surge suppressor to protect the circuitry. Door safety Your microwave oven's door keeps the microwave energy inside, where it belongs. If the door is in any way damaged, or if the door seal doesn't seem to fit correctly or be in good repair, have the microwave checked by a qualified appliance repair technician. Running empty Warning! Never operate a microwave oven without food or liquid inside it. Microwave ovens heat by bombarding the food or liquid in the oven with super-high-frequency microwave sound energy. If there's no food or liquid in the oven to absorb the microwave energy, the energy can feed back to the microwave itself, which can permanently damage the internal microwave antenna (magnetron). Delma --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
