Transcript Document
Cooking, Not Just Reheating, in the Microwave The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Microwave ovens are not just for reheating! Nuking Breakfast • Scrambled eggs • Pancakes with fruit topping • Coffee • Eggs –2-4 minutes on medium – stir once • Fruit topping – 2-3 minutes on high – stir • Add ¼ teaspoons cornstarch and 1 ½ teaspoon water per cup of fruit to thicken Breakfast: Fast and Easy • • • • • • .Orange juice Oatmeal Bran muffin Peanut butter Hot tea Milk • Cook hot cereal on medium for 2-4 minutes – stir often • Reheat muffins and bagels for 10-20 seconds on high • Thaw juice and boil water for tea Preparing Lunch or Supper • Fix a food completely in the microwave • Cook ingredients for recipes that will then be finished on the stove, in the oven or on the grill Cooking Meat and Poultry • Cook thawed meat and poultry on medium heat • Arrange so the thickest part is toward the edges • If want to brown, place under broiler for a few minutes Cooking Fish • Choose fish with even thickness • Cook for 4 – 5 minutes • May need to cut in half to get done without over cooking Cooking Vegetables • Buy bags of frozen so it is easy to take out 1-2 portions • Bake sweet potatoes and winter squash as well as white potatoes • Corn on the cob can be cooked in the husk or in plastic wrap on high for 4 minutes Safe Microwaving • Use only microwave safe containers • If in doubt, test on high for one minute with a cup of water • Safe only if the container remains cool Efficient Microwaving • Pieces of food should be similar in size • Cover to prevent splatter, drying out and speed up cooking • Do not totally cover the food with plastic wrap or a lid so steam can escape Be sure the food is done! • Rotate, stir or rearrange food while cooking • Allow for stand time • Check with a food thermometer Summary • Use microwaves to prepare meals from scratch – not just for reheating • Use microwave safe containers for cooking • Be sure to cover, rotate, stir and re-arrange food to promote even cooking • Use a food thermometer to be sure food is well cooked