Microwave magic

Angela73

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

I cover a clear glass bowl (which allows me to see the veg cooking) with a saucer or a side plate. They’re easier to remove than cling film - environmental issues and it can lead to steam burns.
Broccoli and cauliflower when rinsed retain water in the florets* so I don’t add a tbs of water. To root veg I do.
My first few attempts resulted in overcooked, crispy veg. I undercooked then boosted in second intervals until I got the hang of it. Now I know that a double portion takes 3 mins at 800. I suppose it varies according to the quantity, age of the appliance and your preference for al dente.
* I’ve also peeled and thinly sliced the stems before adding them.

Until a cookery teacher advised me to microwave veg, I’d steamed them.
Broccoli zings with colour when cooked this way.

For those talking about stewing and casseroling I have discovered that you can even do that successfully in the microwave. I use a Pyrex dish with a lid. In one of the recipe books which came with one of my microwaves there was this recipe:

Rehydrate 25 g dried mushrooms at 450 watts with 150 ml of water (I don't to that bit, just use chopped fresh mushrooms)

2-3 onions
150g carrots
30g butter
750 g stewing steak (recipe actually uses veal, but I have used beef and pork. I always cut the pieces in quarters and remove sinews anyway)
50 ml stock
Salt, pepper,paprika
Dried herbs, 50 ml Madeira (I just use more stock)
50 ml cream
2 egg yolks for thickening, alternatively gravy granules, flour or cornflour

"Fry" chopped onions and carrots in the butter in covered dish at 800/1000 watts for about 6 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except the cream, Madeira and thickening and cook for a further 6 minutes at 800/1000W . Stir in the cream, thickener (and Madeira), season to taste, leave the lid off and finish off for 10 minutes at 450W.

I was sceptical but it worked!

Impressed with all these tips! Helpful regarding energy costs.

Never used a microwave much but it does come in handy. There is a recipe I made hundreds of times from Mrs W from Mums-net (not sure I can mention name) A microwave chocolate cake it is excellent works every time. I use microwave for baked potatoes then crisp up skin in a very hot oven when finishing off meat etc. I also do popadoms saves all the mess deep frying.

I’ve cooked my vegetables in my microwave for years using just a little water as others have suggested, sausages and the like I cook in the oven but I don’t have a full sized cooker just a two ringed tabletop cooker. Food cooks much quicker and I’ve not missed my conventional one and have even cooked a full Christmas dinner for six just using that and the microwave. I have a small crockpot for stews or use my soup maker. Ideal for cooking just for myself.

Mirren see my post just before yours. I'm assuming it was waiting to be approved before you added yours. I love my Ninja. I started off with what they suggested for heat and timings. I've always left the hear part as they suggested but reduced the timings and have found the results fine especially when using the air fryer setting.

Do microwaves effect brain and ear. As i'm already regularaly visiting ear syringing manchester for having hearing issues.

"Ago" NOT who

I through our microwave out years who! It sat on the side and was used to put stuff on the top of it out of the way. We rarely used it. I don't like microwaves.

We do have a front loading air fryer with rotisserie which I use alot.

I can air cook the majority of foods in that.
If something says microwave only, I simply empty the contents into a bowl that will double bowl in a saucepan with water in the saucepan and the food on top covered. Then I steam cook it. It does the same job.

The oven which is gas I mainly only use for baking

I believe microwave cooking actually destroys a lot of nutrients in the food.
I threw mine out years ago for that reason.

My cooker was out of action for a while and I was amazed to find I didn't really miss it. With the microwave, halogen pot, slow cooker and my camping gas stove I managed very well to cook everything.

I find swede difficult to cut up but saw a helpful hint on GN that it can be cooked in the microwave whole like a jacket potato.

It would be better to stab it first with a skewer imo but apparently that isn't necessary.

Jacket potatoes, best done one by one, pierce skin and wrap in kitchen paper, turn at half way point, 3 mins? wrap in tin foil at end to keep warm and maybe put in hot oven.

Husband only eats peas so his are done straight from frozen bag in small lidded pot, 3 mins and shake about at half way.

I would have broccoli as a green and simply done in mini lidded pot, no added water, 2 mins for one portion.

I always do jacket potatoes in the microwave but finish them off with a few minutes in the oven to crisp up the skins

Greciangirl

I have started to cook jacket potatoes in the microwave , but they don’t crisp up so nicely.

The skins tend to be soggy.
,

I saw a special bag for cooking potatoes in the microwave: thought about getting it. Don’t suppose it helps to crisp up the outside though. The first time I saw a microwave was when someone showed me how to cook potatoes in them: that must have been over 40 years ago.

I have started to cook jacket potatoes in the microwave , but they don’t crisp up so nicely.

The skins tend to be soggy.
,

I cook a lot of dishes in my slow cooker, its amazing how many meals you can do this with.I also am a vegetarian so cook veggie mince for chilli non carne and spag bol, make mac cheese and a lovely veggie sausage casserole to name a few!

I have just made some lemon marmalade. The recipe said cover lemons with water, bring to boil and simmer for two and a half hours. I found I could get the same result by microwaving for fifteen minutes.

Sorry, just can’t seem to get the link to work…if you copy this-

Microwave Potato Cooker Bag- Potato Express Pouch, Perfect Potatoes Just in 4 Minutes!- Red
- and put it in the Amazon search tool you should find the bags

…Sorry, I’ll try again…..

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

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]]

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 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.

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?