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You and Your Microwave by Nikki Willhite What would we do without our microwaves? They make life so much easier. However, there are guidelines to follow when using a microwave. Microwaves vary in how much power they put out. Sometimes older models do not work very well. I've been at houses where you couldn't even get the food to heat up. Be sure your microwave is in good working order, and that your food is cooking properly. One of the best ways to use a microwave is in combination with a freezer. When my husband barbecues, he always takes the meat out of the freezer, thaws and then first cooks it lightly in the microwave. Then he takes it to the grill. The meat cooks faster, is never undercooked, and has the barbecue flavor. When I make hash brown potatoes, I take them from the freezer, thaw them in the microwave, and also lightly cook them. Then I transfer them to a skillet, where they finish cooking and brown up nicely. I think the ability of the microwave to both thaw and speed up the cooking process is one the greatest benefits to a frugal cook. HERE ARE SOME OTHER TIPS ON HOW TO USE YOUR MICROWAVE BASICS - Wondering whether a dish can be used in the microwave? Put it in the microwave next to a glass with a cup of water in it. Run the microwave at high heat for one minute. If the dish feels hot, it is not microwave safe for cooking. If the dish is warm, you can use it for reheating food. If the dish doesn't heat up, it is safe to use for all purposes. - You will always have more flavor in food if you do not cook in plain water. Add bouillon or other spices for tastier food. - Microwaves tend to dry out food. The best foods to cook in the microwave are foods have a high moisture content. When you cook similar, multiple items in the microwave, it is always best to make the sizes as uniform as possible for even cooking. - Be conservative with cooking times. You do not hurt the food by taking it out, checking it, and then adding more time. However, if you set the timer for too long a period, you can fry your food. If food isn't cooked long enough, and you've already put it on your plate, just put your plate into the oven and continue cooking it. - You should always wait a few minutes before eating food cooked or heated up in the microwave. This allows the heat to continue spreading throughout the food. If you try and eat it too soon, you may find cold spots. If you are following a recipe, it should have the "stand" time. - If you are boiling liquid, make sure your container is at least two times larger than your liquid so that it won't boil over the top when cooking. VEGETABLES - Cook at vegetables at full power, but do not overcook or they will be dry. Vegetables take around 6-7 minutes per pound to cook to a crisp, tender state after standing. They should be stirred once. When you stir, try to move the outside edges toward the center. - Cover fresh vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli loosely with wax paper to retain color. The more water, and the longer the cooking time, the softer the vegetables. - Dried beans and other hard legumes are best cooked on the stove or in a pressure cooker. They are just too hard for the microwave. - Do not salt food until it comes out of the microwave. Salt draws the water out of food, and interferes with the cooking process. FRUIT - You can get more juice out of an orange if you microwave it for 15 seconds on full power before squeezing it. - Potatoes and whole fruit should be pierced before cooking to allow steam to escape. - For quick mashed potatoes, cube them and cook them in a little water until soft. MEAT AND EGGS - The best meats to cook in the microwave are meats without bones. Bones attract more energy in the microwave, and result in uneven cooking. - Separate bacon easier by microwaving the package on full power for 30 seconds. - If you are cooking eggs, or something with sour cream or whipping cream, cook on a medium temperature so that the ingredients don't curl. BAKING HELP - Soften butter at 50% power for 45 seconds. - Melt chocolate at full power for 45 seconds per ounce - Toast coconut at full power for 2-3 minutes per cup. About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!

 

 

 

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