Using the microwave

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 7, 19 July 1983, Page 7

Using the microwave

by

Sue

• Allomes

The microwave revolution is with us but like all modern technology it will give only the best when it is correctly used. Here is a story that typifies what can happen. Two halves of a pig's head were to be cooked for eating one weekend. The owners of a new microwave oven thought they would cook half by the conventional method in a saucepan and the second half in the microwave. Because the new owners hadn't understood the principles of microwave cooking they were surprised to find that the half cooked in the covered pot of water on the electric element was ready first. What the new owners hadn't appreciated was that the pig's head is comprised largely of bone and gristle and microwaves need a moisture content with sugar and fat particles present to effective. ^Peed So why buy a microwave and how does it work. Obviously a microwave will save time and effort when bread rolls can be heated in 50 seconds and chicken pieces cooked in 8 minutes. But efficient meal planning is still needed to produce successful meals. To answer the second query, how does it work!

Water, sugar or fat particles, hit by microwaves absorb the energy from the microwaves. This causes the molecules to vibrate, which in turn produces heat and cooks the food. All food contains water. Therefore all food exposed to microwaves of sufficient strength will get hot. Microwaves are reflected by metal so they continue to bounce off the metal sides of the oven until they are eventually absorbed by the food. The following recipes using a microwave oven would make a simple main course when next you are entertaining. Beef Stroganoff 1 kg rump steak, cut into strips 2 tablespoons oil 250g fresh mushrooms, sliced 2 onions, sliced 2 beef stock cubes, crumbled Salt 3 tbsps tomato paste Vz cup water 1 tbsp cornflour Vz cup sour cream Chopped parsley to garnish Preheat browning dish in microwave oven on full power for 6 minutes. Add oil and steak and cook on full power 5 minutes or un-

til browned. Add mushrooms and onions and cook a further 5 minutes on full power, stir once during cooking. Crumble in stock cubes, season with salt and add tomato paste and water. Cover and cook on full power 8 minutes. Blend cornflour with a little water add to meat and stir well. Microwave a further 2 minutes. Stir in sour cream and garnish with chopped parsley.

Sunshine Brussel Sprouts !4 cup dry white wine 3 tbsps finely chopped onion 1 tbsps lemon juice Va cup mayonnaise 2 hard cooked eggs, finely chopped 500 g frozen brussel sprouts paprika Place brussel spouts in a casserole dish with 2 tablespoons water, cover and cook on full power 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a small bowl pour wine over onion and cook

uncovered on roast for 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in lemon juice and mayonnaise. Return to microwave oven on roast for 3 minutes of until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in eggs. Spoon sauce over cooked brussel sprouts. Sprinkle with paprika. Tip: Eggs may be baked in your microwave oven -place each egg into a greased custard cup. Cook covered on simmer for Wi minutes each. Chop and add to sauce.