Hi Delma, Thanks for this. It is very informative.
Since I have only had a microwave for three years, and use it primarily to reheat food, I am learning a lot. Sherri On 4/22/07, delma bliss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
