Foods cooked in a microwave oven require shorter cooking times than conventionally, retain more heat-sensitive nutrients, vitamin C. They are also richer in vitamins B1 and A.
Microwave heating
Foods heated inmicrowavetaste freshly cooked, not reheated. This is especially convenient when household members eat their meals at different times.Foodshould be covered so it will heat up evenly and quickly and won't dry out. You can heat up the meat, vegetables and side dishes on one plate (special plates with lids are available for sale). Then put the chicken leg and potato purée outside and more delicate items, such as peas, in the center of the plate.
Read: What can you use the microwave for?
To keep the pieces of roast juicy, it is a good idea to pour some sauce on them beforehand. Brush the breaded pieces of meat with oil.
Defrosting in the microwave oven
If the finished products are only to be defrosted, then it is best to defrost them in their original packaging: aluminum foil molds (must be opened beforehand), polyethylene bags, heat-resistant plastic containers, coated cardboard or parchment cups).
Important» Modern, good quality microwave ovens are completely safe when used properly. Place it in a place where you do not have to stand by it when it is turned on. It is assumed that at a distance of half a meter from the microwave oven, the electromagnetic field generated by this device usually no longer exists.
» Remember to clean the gaskets systematically, because when they are greasy, they may not protect you well.
» Do not use the oven with a broken door, then a very strong electromagnetic field can penetrate from it.
Fordefrostingmeat, poultry, fish, vegetables use a special plastic grate or sieve. It will allow the water to drain freely, preventing the thawed product from boiling in it. Frozen food that is to be cooked, e.g. a bouquet of vegetables or dumplings, should not be defrosted beforehand - it is best to put them immediately into the vessel in which they will be cooked. Delicateitems such as cream cake are removed from the oven before completely defrosting. It will defrost itself inside at room temperature.
What can you put in the microwave oven?
- Vegetables
To cook evenly, they should be of the same size (pieces). Whole vegetables with a hard skin, e.g. peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, prick them with a fork before placing them in the oven so that the steam inside can escape without damaging the skin. Cauliflower and broccoli florets soften faster than the stems, so you need to arrange them on a round dish with the florets facing the center.
- Meat and fish
Large pieces of meat and whole fish are best suited for baking. They are placed symmetrically in a dish or on the wire rack, then they will bake evenly, e.g. chicken legs alternately with a thicker and thinner part to one side.
- Casseroles
Some ingredients for casseroles, such as rice and noodles, are better cooked on a conventional cooker (microwave would not save any time here).
- Cakes
In a microwave oven, cakes with moist ingredients, e.g. cheese, fruit, are best. They are heated with microwaves with a power of 150-300 W, and often additionally with hot air (upper and lower heater). This shortens the baking time by 30-50%.
The microwave oven can also be helpful when baking cakes in the oven. You can quickly melt butter, chocolate, boil pudding, melt gelatin.
In the microwave you can cook compote, jelly, prepare a sweet or dry sauce.
Our advice: To prevent the dish from drying out, cook under cover ( the heat generated by the microwaves evaporates the moisture). Small cakes, side dishes, potatoes will be cooked (baked) evenly when you arrange them at equal distances, preferably in a circular pattern. Never stack products on top of each other. Place the larger pieces of meat and fish on the sides of the pan, and smaller pieces - in the middle. Stir outside in as the outside heats up faster.