Presenting before you a list of hany tips and quick fixes to make your microwave cooking more easy and fast.
Microwave cooking tips
- Microwave cooking evaporates less moisture from the food. So reduce the liquid quantity mentioned in your conventional recipe. For instance if you are supposed to use 4 cups of water, you’ll need only 3 in the microwave.
- Arrange food in dish so that the thicker part is on the outside and the thinner part inside for more even cooking.
- Do not use too much of spice because microwave cooking increases the flavour of herbs and spices. So you have to reduce the amount of spices specified by half.
- Salt flavouring in food also increase in microwave cooking. So reduce the amount of salt by one-third.
- For reheating set the time for 1 min.
- Never microwave the dishes covered in Alluminium foil as it may emits sparks.
- Add low fat cheese and other toppings near the end of cooking to keep the top from becoming tough or soggy.
- Make sure the container is properly covered with a lid or plastic wrap while cooking. But always make provisions for the steam to escape from the covered dish.
- Set the cooking time of the microwave according to the type of food you are cooking.
- Use heat resistant ceramic, glass, china or thick plastic containers to cook in.
- Cut the food into equal sized pieces to ensure that it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Stirring curries, rice and vegetables during cooking is most effective in distributing heat.
- If the recipe has standing time, be patient. It is important for complete cooking.
Easy and Quick Tips
- Dried Mint: Just place one cup of fresh mint leaves in a glass dish and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes. Remove and crush them lightly.
- Popcorn : Just place popping corn in a glass dish covered with a lid and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes with 2 tablespoons of butter and salt.
- Roasting: Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute and 30 seconds almonds or cashewnuts to make them crispier. Papads and spices can be roasted by microwaving for only a minute.
- Blanching Almonds: Just combine 1/2 cup of almonds with a quarter cup of water and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes. After 2 minutes, drain and then peel the skins.
- Zero Fat Potato Wafers: Slice the potatoes thinly, soak them in ice cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes.Drain and pat them dry on an absorbent cloth. Now microwave on HIGH in a flat plate for 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp. Salt and spices may be added later.
- Mashed potatoes: Cut potatoes into small pieces. Put in a microwavable container with 1 to 2 Tbsp. water. Cover container with plastic wrap, and microwave on high until soft.
- Fresh lemons juce: To get more juice from fresh lemons or any citrus fruits, warm them in the microwave oven for about 40 seconds before squeezing.
- Soften cream cheese: Take the freezed cheese and heat it in your microwave on medium power between 60 and 90 seconds. You’ll have soft cream cheese that’s ready to use.
- Quick hot compress: Heat a wet hand towel or wash cloth on high for about one minute, and you’ll have a soothing hot compress fast.
- Breadcrumbs: Cut bread slices into cubes and microwave on high until hard. Store crushed break cubes in a resealable plastic bag.
- Dry lemon and orange peel: Put grated rind in small microwavable container and heat on high power for approximately 30 to 60 seconds.
- Peeling garlic or onions: Snip off the ends of garlic and onion and microwave for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to make the job easier.