Microwave magic

Cabbage is lovely shredded and microwaved in a bowl with seasoning, a knob of butter and a few rashers of bacon on the top. Cover with a sheet of kitchen paper to catch any splashes.

By the way, bacon is great cooked alone, 1 minute per rasher, plus another minute per few for crispiness.

I've used the microwave for many years for cooking veg, the flavour is so much better than boiling. A spot of water & about 4 minutes is perfect, giving delicious brassica, peas, beans etc. The only thing I don't microwave is sprouts - somehow, they never taste quite right after being microwaved. 5 minutes in boiling water sorts them out!

I have always cooked veg in the microwave, no boiling over or forgetting about it.

I make a rice pudding in my microwave. It is much quicker than an oven.

Microwaveable bags tanith? All that plastic waste! ?

I love to roast almonds or hazel nuts in my microwave. Two handfuls of nuts, spread around the centre point (but not on the centre), blast them for about 1.25 minutes on high and that's it. Let them cool on an open tray... delicious with cereals and with salads.

Popadoms too: spread a VERY light amount of oil over the surface of a popadom (I use a tiny piece of kitchen towel), place it in the microwave, zap it for at most one minute BUT DO WATCH IT! Remove and/or change the position slightly if it shows signs of burning. Once the whole surface is crinkly it's done.
The result is almost exactly as a fried popadom and far better to eat than the grilled ones which in my view taste dreadful. Plus no worries about draining the oil as it's all absorbed. No greasy frying pans either!

M0nica

I have been cooking rice in my microwave for decades. Ever since someone gave me a rice cooker - a plastic cotainer, lid and vent - about 30 years ago. Ditto veg, I do not cover vegetables with water, just put a couple of tablespoons of water at the bottom of the dish I am cooking them. Excellent for virtually water free cauliflower, which means the cheese sauce on it isn't all watery.

I am not a vegtarian and I do not fry sausages and burgers either. Sausages get griddled and I do not like burgers, so neither cook nor eat them.. Meat is casseroled or stewed and goes in the slow cooker Then there is the air fryer.

Ok own up! You're hiding in my kitchen aren't you?!? Just....SNAP!?

Germanshepherdsmum

Microwaveable bags tanith? All that plastic waste! ?

Are they proven now to be safe too. BPA was it?

Air fryers are great Even cook frozen almond croissants and baked potatoes (after a spell in microwave) in it Haven't used oven on ages. Saves on gas bills.

We turn our Aga off for about 3 months every summer so eat a lot of salads and use the microwave. Otherwise we’d melt ?

tanith

I mostly cook my veg in the microwave I bought microwaveable bags which mean no washing up they work really well. I do use my oven and grill though for chops and sausages and the odd oven chip. I’ve been looking at air fryers lately.

I bought an air fryer in February and have hardly used my oven since apart from making cakes. I also use my microwave for vegetables or sauces. I pop the veg in a small bowl and add just a drop of water, cover then microwave - steams the veg rather than boils it.

Tonight in my air fryer I’m having a piece of salmon, straight from freezer, smashed potatoes and green beans. I pre cook a potato in the microwave, smash it down with my masher then spread a little butter on top, season and pop in air fryer at the same time as the salmon. It then has a lovely crisp skin with a soft fluffy inside! Beans will be cooked in microwave.

I’m also planning to air fry a small chicken breast later in the week and possibly a home made beef burger another day.

A friend did some research on energy use comparing an air fryer with the oven and it worked out at around half the cost as the air fryer can be preheated in just a couple of minutes and cooks in around half to two thirds of the time.

The only issue is where to put it, ideally left on the worktop for convenience as mine is quite heavy and not underneath wall cupboards due to heat from the top fan.

DutchDoll

HannahLoisLuke,
Is your hob gas or electric?
I can see an electric one remaining hot for a while and continuing to cook whatever's in the pan but I'm not sure that a gas hob would remain warm enough to do this when turned off.

I have a gas hob and always hard boil eggs using this method. I turn off the hob as soon as the water boils, cover pan and leave for half an hour - cooked perfectly.

A much better method than when I forgot I was boiling eggs, the pan dried out, exploded eggs all around the kitchen including the ceiling and ruined my pan!

DutchDoll

HannahLoisLuke,
Is your hob gas or electric?
I can see an electric one remaining hot for a while and continuing to cook whatever's in the pan but I'm not sure that a gas hob would remain warm enough to do this when turned off.

Gas hob. Honestly it works for me.

Because of the fact I am unsteady on my feet I cannot fry anything or use boiling water so use my microwave daily. Vegetables retain their vitamin because so little water is needed, eggs take seconds, potatoes for mash, custard, parsley and cheese sauces, pasta,Bol sauce, even a small joint, bacon, the cup of milk for my cocoa etc the possibilities are endless. I also use a slow cooker and a mini oven.
I have tried ready meals but never again. Reading the list of ingredient on the pack is off putting.

Sawsage2

I microwave a lot of food. Be careful though with potatoes, they explode. I pop a cover over most foods.

I always do jackets in my combi microwave - microwave plus oven for a crispy skin in 14 minutes for 2 big ones, but I stab them several times with the point of a sharp knife first. No explosions!

Veg in a bowl with a tiny amount of water - then cover with ? Cling film?

Very interesting thread, but for those cooking vegetables successfully in the microwave, what frequency is your microwave? Ours is 900° downwards and getting a lower temperature can be a bit hit or miss. It’s also hasn’t got a turntable. The instructions say that that it doesn’t need one but I have my doubts.

I’m pinning my hopes on getting an air fryer, hopefully next week.

I have a multicooker and find it invaluable. It does every thing and also saves time. Best bit of kit since I got my now redundant slowcooker as multicooker does that too.

I have cooked a whole chicken loads of time in a Microwave. Big bowl, cover with a glass lid or microwave safe plate. Cook for 20 mins or so, turn it over cook.
You don't get crispy skin but I don't like the skin and take it off even if I have cooked in a oven.
So much you can do.

dustyangel those microwaves without a turntable, have a gadget int he roof which turns around. which has the same effect as a turntable, but allows you to have the choice of many more different shapes/sizes of containers.

Back in the ear;y 1970's when we purchased our first microwave - (very new idea for domestic kitchens). That was a 'flat bed' no turn table,. Just a large box. It was wonderful, and served my large family for a very long time. Only finally being put out pasture close some twenty five years later, when the glass of the door was broken. Manufacturers were surprised that it was still working (and had been use most days. Tried so hard to get another flat bed, but got told they were no longer making them as customers wanted to see the food going round and round!!!!

Thank goodness, they have finally got over that and I had a flatbed microwave installed this year in my new kitchen. Why do you think the temperatures are hit and miss. Tend to find the modern microwaves are very exact on everything.

dustyangel

Very interesting thread, but for those cooking vegetables successfully in the microwave, what frequency is your microwave? Ours is 900° downwards and getting a lower temperature can be a bit hit or miss. It’s also hasn’t got a turntable. The instructions say that that it doesn’t need one but I have my doubts.

I’m pinning my hopes on getting an air fryer, hopefully next week.

Would you have to spray the veg with oil in an air fryer?

I recently bought a Ninja oven. It's really good and air fries, bakes, steams, pressure cooks and something else but I can't remember what. I tried oven chips in it when I was learning how to use. I cooked enough oven chips for two reasonable sized portions at 200, instead of 220 and reduced the cooking time by 10 minutes. I felt it was too long and have finally settled at 200 for 11 minutes. I've baked in it and it came out really good after a couple of attempts. I just felt the timings were reduced too much but I'm getting the hang of it now. Haven't used the oven since I bought it.

Does anyone have a Ninja?
A younger friend who is very gadget conscious loves hers . She seems able to make anything.
I hate gadgets. A microwave I can just tolerate.
I used to love my pressure cooker when I had 4 kids to feed.
Now, I am wondering if it might be worth the investment in a Ninja.
What do u all think?

I have used these bags for years, they cook potatoes perfectly in the microwave…..
amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01JYVK154/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]]

Overthemoongran

I have used these bags for years, they cook potatoes perfectly in the microwave…..
smile.]]

Interested in that, but the link doesn’t work