cooking @ home

Question one: What are three most indispensible inventions of the twentieth century? On my personal list are the microwave, the air conditioner and the television. The third of which I pretend I could live without; the first two which I know I could not live without.

Another question: What major kitchen applicance is the least seen on a cooking show? Yep, the lowly microwave. Sure, the oven gets all the attentiion. Every thing comes out of the refrigerator. They have tons of “fancy” gadgets like friers, ice cream machines and even rice cookers which get more spotlight. But the all-purpose microwave? Hardly a glance.

So, I have news for you, the microwave is a cooking tool. It is not merely a defroster. Not merely the quintessential “heater-upper” of all things leftover. The microwave is my number one steamer. And it’s also the best melter around too!

Want to drastically increase the quality of your everyday eating in a single jump? Want something that will change your world forever? I kid you not. Want better tasting food almost instantly? And not only will it taste better but it will be packed full of more nutrients? Sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. And once you go here, you will never — I repeat, never — go back.

The Perfect Steamer

Start steaming your fresh and frozen veggies. Today. Now. And use the microwave to do so.

That’s right, no special giant pot in pot thingy, no need to buy that little device that swings out into a circle like some James Bond villian weapon, no need for ten stacks of bamboo steamers. (Mind you, all of these are good, just not necessary.)

Fresh produce: Cut your veggies into the size and shape you like and add three-to-six tablespoons of water. If doing frozen veggies: (nothing wrong with that), take out your portion from the bag. Now place in a microwave bowl or container with plastic wrap on top (note, no punching of holes). When steaming frozen veggies, the thin ice around them is usually enough that no water is usually required.

I always do two portions (for two people) and do it on high power for 2 1/2 minutes. (Carrots and lima beans sometimes take 3 or even 3 1/2 minutes, depending) You’re not done yet. You’re at about the three-quarters mark. Here is where you take out the dish, get an idea of the texture of your veggie, and (most important) where you add your seasoning. Then, add a tablespoon of water, mix well, put back in for about 90 more seconds and presto. Freshly steamed and deliciously seasoned vegetables.

The Perfect Melter

That’s right. You don’t actually need a double boiler device. You can, but again you don’t need to melt chocolate in a bowl a top a boiling vat of water. Use your microwave!

Cheese? Oh yeah. For my steak quesadilla recipe it’s a must.

Make a cheese sauce and drizzle it over your frozen bag of french fries you just did in the oven. Pour some melted Mexican cheese a top that bag of nachos; toss half of a jar of salsa on one side, a third a container of sour cream on the other, and the guys watching the football game will be happy campers.

Just remember, use the lower power settings for melting. Also, warning: chocolate and cheeses have natural oils: they get hot fast, they burn nasty when hitting the skin, and use the appropriate microwavable bowls or dishes.

Actual Cooking, Too?

Yes, oh yes. Not only can the unsung microwave help in food preparation by melting or even prepare the food by steaming, it can actually, literally cook.

Want a quick baked potato? Well it won’t be crispy on the outside as a real baked in the oven potato, but the inside wil be the same. Likewise, it’s also similiar to a boiled potato, and so you can eat it in the shell like a baked, or spoon it out to make mashed. One thing though, be sure to poke some deep holes in the potato, as it has mositure, and without the holes it might burst on you, making a nasty clean up. Poke those holes and you will not have a problem. A medium Idaho should take 8-10 minutes.

And finally, I caught an episode a few months back of “America’s Test Kitchen” and to the hosts shock (and apparently the surprise of the testers themselves) they were trying to cook some vegetable, and they found the best way to cook it, yes, the microwave. Can’t recall what it was, now. Possibly an acorn squash, possibly something else.

But hey it just goes to prove the versatility and usefulness of the microwave oven as a true tool for cooking and preparing meals.