| I know this will give away my age group, but I can | | | | · Follow the recipe or manufacturer's cooking |
| remember life without a microwave. My teenage | | | | directions! Stir at stated times, turn food over when |
| daughter thinks that means we started fire by rubbing | | | | required, and let food stand as directed after cooking |
| sticks together! | | | | · Margarine can be softened by using half |
| The microwave oven has certainly made life easier, | | | | power for 45-60 seconds |
| especially for households like mine where both parents | | | | · Wrap left over pizza slices in damp (slightly |
| work outside the home. We want our meal times to | | | | damp) paper towels and cook for 35-45 seconds. The |
| be fast and easy, while remaining healthy and | | | | damp paper towels help to keep the crust crispy. |
| affordable. Our microwave oven is one of the | | | | Otherwise, you may have a crust that you cannot bite! |
| appliances that help us spend less time in the kitchen. | | | | · Baked potatoes are a microwave favorite. |
| We use ours all year long, but it really helps in the heat | | | | Just remember to pierce them with a knife to release |
| of summer to not use the oven as often and heat up | | | | steam. |
| the kitchen at the same time. | | | | · If you are defrosting meat in your microwave |
| It sounds simple, but needs repeating - read and follow | | | | (which is a great idea!), be sure to cook the meat as |
| your microwave oven manufacturer's instructions. | | | | soon as defrosted. The meat may be partially cooked |
| Here's some other safety tips: | | | | and become a home for bacteria. |
| · Remember, the food will be hot! Be careful | | | | · Add salt after cooking. The microwaves are |
| when removing from the appliance | | | | attracted to the salt and can cause your food to dry |
| · Never use your microwave if the door does | | | | out. |
| not close completely or there are any other defects | | | | · Use a dish larger than your food so it won't |
| · If you cover the food being cooked, be sure | | | | spill over while heating. |
| to leave it vented so steam can come out naturally | | | | Gotta clean it! |
| · Don't use any metal utensils | | | | · Place ¼-cup lemon juice and one cup |
| · Use only "microwave safe" dishes | | | | water in a two-cup container. Heat until it boils (about 2 |
| · Follow recommended cooking times. If the | | | | minutes on high). Leave the lemon water in the |
| time is a range (5-7 minutes for example), start with | | | | microwave another 5-7 minutes, then wipe clean with |
| the lower time | | | | paper towels or a clean dishtowel. |
| Now some general cooking tips: | | | | · You can also use a mixture of ½ |
| · Cut food in uniform sizes for more even | | | | water and ½ vinegar and do the same thing as |
| cooking | | | | above. |
| · Arrange evenly sized food in a circle | | | | |