27
HINTS
• Always place the stems of vegetables – e.g.
cauliflower, broccoli – toward the outside of the dish.
The stems are tougher than the flower, so this will
ensure even cooking.
• Ice-cream containers were made for freezing food
and are not suitable for use in a microwave oven.
• Remember: When melting chocolate in the
microwave oven, it holds its shape until stirred. Heat for
2-2
1
/
2
minutes per 100 g on 50% (MEDIUM). DO NOT
COVER.
• Jams and chutneys are great when made in the
microwave, as they retain their colour and flavour.
As cooking time is so short, less evaporation occurs.
Therefore pectin or a jam setting agent is required to
make jam set.
• To obtain more juice from oranges, lemons or limes,
prick skin, microwave 30 seconds on 100% (HIGH) and
stand 2 minutes before squeezing.
• Warm jam for a quick glaze. Heat 2-3 tablespoons for
30 seconds on 100% (HIGH); strain if necessary while
hot.
• Soften cream cheese for dips or beating by removing
foil wrapper and cooking for 1 minute on 30% (MEDIUM
LOW).
• To melt marshmallows, place 100 g in a large bowl.
Cook for 30 seconds on 100% (HIGH).
• To dissolve gelatine, mix 1 teaspoon gelatine with 2
tablespoons water and cook for 20-30 seconds on
100% (HIGH). Stir well.
• To blanch almonds place 100 g in a bowl with 1 cup
of water. Cook for 5 minutes on 100% (HIGH).
• If brown sugar becomes hard, simply soften in the
microwave oven. Place a cup at a time in a bowl with a
slice of bread. Cover with plastic wrap and cook for 40
seconds on 100% (HIGH).
• Soften 6-8 honey-snap biscuits for 30 seconds on 100%
(HIGH). Shape into base of patty dish for quick tartlet
cases.
• Place a chocolate after-dinner mint on top of 6 patty
cakes; arrange cakes evenly on turntable. Cook about
50-60 seconds on 100% (HIGH), or until chocolate is
soft. Gently spread chocolate mint evenly over patty
cake for a quick icing.
• To soften honey, remove metal lid from jar and
microwave on 100% (HIGH) for 30 seconds.
• Stuffed mushrooms are a terrific idea. Provided the
filling is cooked, twelve mushrooms placed on a layer of
paper towel will take approximately 3 minutes to heat
on 100% (HIGH).
• To remove odours, place 1-litre water with slice of
lemon or 1 teaspoon vanilla essence in the micro
wave.
Cook for 20 minutes on 100% (HIGH).
• As microwave cooking time is so quick, food should
be seasoned to taste with herbs and spices after
cooking.
• To peel a tomato, pierce the skin with a fork 3-4
times.
Place on a rack and cook for 45-60 seconds on 100%
(HIGH).
Stand for 3 minutes before peeling.
• Lightly prick the skin of chicken before cooking. This
prevents the loud popping noises.
• Peeling garlic is made easier by placing a clove in
the microwave for 10 seconds on 100% (HIGH).
• Pierce the skin of chicken livers with a fork before
cooking to prevent popping of the internal fat. Cover
with paper towel when cooking.
• The flavour of wine in food is highlighted with the
short microwave cooking time, so adjust the
quantity to your taste.
• Tomato sauce can be warmed for 30 seconds on
100% (HIGH) to give it a pouring consistency. (ensure
lid is removed.)
• When cooking sauces in the microwave use less
liquid: the absence of direct heat means sauces do
not reduce as much as stovetop-prepared sauces.
• Rice and pasta cook well in small quantities. Use a
large container to prevent boiling over.
• FOIL. Contrary to popular belief, foil can be used in
the microwave – for shielding, not covering. It must
not come in contact with the walls of the micro
wave. Foil directs microwave energy away from
delicate or thin areas of food, toward areas that
need more cooking. It is essential for even defrost-
ing. Place foil over the thawed sections, allowing
the frozen portions to continue defrosting.
• To enhance the colour and flavour when roasting
chicken, mix some brown sugar, honey and a little
soy sauce together and brush both sides of poultry
before and during cooking.
• To blanch vegetables for freezing, place 150 g of
vegetables in a dish with 1 tablespoon of water.
Cover and cook on 100% (HIGH) for
1
/
3
of the usual
cooking time. After cooking, immerse immediately in
iced water, package, label, and freeze for up to 3
months.
• Do not add salt to vegetables before cooking, as salt
draws out the moisture and causes vegetables to
toughen.
