Microwave Cooking Tips

The microwave oven has become an essential appliance in most kitchens. Most people are using microwave oven just to reheat food and defrost food. But the appliance can do wonders when used in cooking.

Cooking with microwave oven is not only fast, it’s also super easy. Understanding how a microwave works will also help you rethink using it a little more, too. Here are some helpful hints on using your microwave and converting your recipes for quick and easy cooking.

• Make sure meat and vegetable pieces are cut in uniform sizes for even cooking.
• Space out food in the casserole during microwave cooking as food will cook better when spaced apart.
• If you are defrosting meat in your microwave, be sure to cook the meat as soon as defrosted. The meat may be partially cooked and become a home for bacteria.
• Turn or stir the food during intervals to ensure more even distribution of heat through the food. Especially food such as large potatoes and cauliflower need to be turned over during cooking.
• Always start off with the shortest cooking time listed in the recipe, this way vegetables will not be overcooked. You can always cook it for some more time if required
• Reduce the liquid used in cooking beverages, soups, vegetables, fruits, and main dishes by about one third in conventional recipes for stove cooking because less liquid will evaporate during microwave cooking.
• Choose a microwave-safe container slightly larger than the dish required for cooking the recipe in a conventional oven so the food will not spill over when heating.
• Use a fork to pierce whole vegetables, like potatoes, which are cooked in their skins to allow excess steam to escape. If this is not done steam will build up inside, causing the skin to burst.
• Be careful from steam trying to escape when you open microwave containers like covered soup bowls. Open covers away from you to release steam.