8 Microwave Cooking Tips

Microwave cooking is a very convenient method of food preparation. Especially useful for creating quick meals or meals for one, it can also be used for defrosting and reheating. Incredibly time efficient, the microwave is of great help for the busy chef or the energy conscious consumer.

1. Popping Poultry: If your chicken makes loud popping sounds when heating in the microwave, pierce the skin. Piercing allows the steam to escape, reducing the pops.

2. Chewy Toppings: Add cheeses and other toppings at very end of microwave time. Adding them early will make them chewy, dried out, or soggy.

3. Toasting In The Microwave: Your microwave can be used to toast ingredients for baking. Shredded coconut, fresh breadcrumbs, and nuts (minus shells) can all be toasted. Cook on high power at 1-minute intervals for up to 5 minutes as needed.

4. Bacon Bits: Make quick bacon bits in the microwave. Place bacon between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Cook on high for 1-minute intervals. Cook thoroughly, cool, and tear or cut into small bits.

5. Quick Taters: Potatoes can be baked quickly in the microwave. Wash and dry potatoes and pierce with a knife. Place on a paper towel on a plate and microwave on high for about 10 minutes. They will be very steamy; use caution to avoid burns. Test for doneness with a knife.

6. Toothpick Taters: Stick 3 or 4 toothpicks into each potato before microwaving. Standing on the toothpicks will promote quicker, more even cooking. Picture a table with toothpicks as the legs and the potato as the tabletop.

7. Microwave Then Mash: If you’re mashing potatoes, microwave them instead of boiling. Since they’re getting mashed, the cooking method doesn’t matter and it saves time.

8. No-Grill Corn On The Cob: Place whole corncobs in microwave and cook on high for about 6 minutes. Let sit for about 5 minutes, remove the husks and silk, and top with butter.