Microwave Cooking 101

When I came into this world a microwave could be found in just about every kitchen and was used practically every day. I don't recall being taught anything about them, and I'm quite sure not one household was using them to their full potential. I was an adult before I realized that the microwave could be used for something other than re-heating left overs or making popcorn. How about you?

• I was stunned to find out an entire meal could be cooked in a microwave. 
• Thawing frozen foods is a snap and saves enormous amounts of time in a microwave. 
• Did you know how food is arranged in the microwave has everything to do with how the food cooks and for how long? 
• The size and shape of the container used also plays a major role in the outcome of the dish.

So without further ado, let's begin.

Adapting A Recipe

• Cooking time will be around 25% of conventional cooking time when adapting a recipe to cook in microwave. 
• You will need to experiment and adjust the power setting according to your preference. 
• Pay attention not to overcook. 

Arrangement

• When cooking more than one item at the same time, arrange the food items in a circular fashion. 
• Potatoes should be arranged in a ring. 
• Corn on the cob gets arranged like the spokes on a wheel. 
• Chicken pieces, pork chops and other meats with bones should be placed so that the bony parts are in the center and thick parts go to the outside.
• When re-heating leftovers remember denser foods are placed at the outer edge and more porous foods like rolls or fluffy rice get placed in the center of the plate.

Browning

• Meat and poultry brown after about ten minutes. 
• A special microwave browning dish or grill is  usually available for meats that cook too quickly for browning like, hamburger, pork chops or steak.
• You an also create a browned look by brushing on a gravy mix or bottled brown bouquet.
• Cakes, breads and pie shells don't brown well. Not so important with chocolate or spice cakes. 
• For others, molasses or dark syrups may be brushed on. 
• Glaze or a frosting might work as well.

Selecting Container

• When a particular size or shape is specified in a recipe, use it for best results.
• Generally a tall narrow container increases cooking time.
• A broad shallow container reduces cooking time. 
• Recipes for puddings and sauces call for large containers to prevent boil overs.
• Cakes and some loaf recipes call for round cookware to provide more even cooking.

Coverings

• Covers trap steam, speed cooking time and help foods retain their natural moisture. 
• Suitable coverings are micro-proof casserole tops, glass covers, plastic wrap, waxed paper, micro-proof plates and saucers. 
• Paper towels are useful to prevent splatters but do not rap steam.
• Always remove coverings away from hands and face to prevent a burn from the steam.

Size Doesn't Matter

• In this case anyway, it's more about the density. 
• A slice of bread has low density and more air.
• A slice of meat the same size has high density and less air.
• Even though they are basically the same size, the slice of meat takes a lot longer to reheat than the slice of bread because there is less air or more density.

Defrosting

• Large items should be turned and rotated halfway through defrosting time to provide more even thawing.
• Foods in approved coverings thaw more quickly.
• Remove thawed portions of ground meat as soon as thawed. Return frozen portions back to the microwave to finish thawing.
• To thaw half of a frozen veggie package, wrap half of the package with foil. When the unwrapped side is thawed, place the foil covered side after separating with knife or scissors back into the freezer for next time.
• Thin or sliced items should be separated as soon as possible. Remove thawed pieces and allow other slices to continue thawing.
• Poultry wings, legs and small or the bone ends of meat might need to be covered with foil strips for most of the thawing time to prevent cooking. 

Bonus Tip  - The microwave can bring chips back to life if they get stale. Place a plateful of chips and microwave. Check them every 30 seconds or so for warmth and crispness. Works great!

 

Pop quiz next time! Don't forget to study!

Extra credit for sharing one of your favorite microwave tips and/or recipes in a comment!