Microwave Ovens Saved My Life

I got my first microwave in 1986, after my daughter was born.  It was a Panasonic with the rotating plate and a thermometer you could insert into meat/chicken; at the time, they were the only ones making a model with the rotating plate, which has now become the standard rather than the exception. 

I was so thrilled with it, I tried to make EVERYTHING in the microwave.  I was commuting 40 miles round trip to work every day, plus having a newborn baby, so I was really strapped for time.  I even tried chicken and steak, with less than stellar results.  Since that first microwave, I’ve always had one. 

For those born in the last 20 years, you probably can’t remember what cooking was like before a microwave, but in recent years, there has been a backlash against cooking in the microwave, especially because there has always been a concern about leaking microwaves causing cancer, etc.  Those questions have been around since the beginning and each new generation of ovens does a better job protecting folks from any potential leakage.

There’s no doubt microwave ovens make life easier for everyone, but you can’t make everything in the microwave.  So what are the best uses for a microwave, other than as a plant stand?

• Definitely cook veggies in the microwave!  Because you don’t need a lot of water to cook in the microwave, veggies hold more of their nutrients when warmed in the microwave.
• Baking potatoes is a snap in the microwave, going from up to 30 minutes in the regular oven to just 8 or 9, depending on the power of your microwave.  Just remember to poke holes in it with a fork and cover in plastic wrap (one of the few plastics safe to use in the microwave).
• Eggs are a breeze but can be tricky, unless you’re making scrambled eggs.  I don’t recommend cooking eggs still in the shell but it is possible; I just haven’t figured it out without blowing it up in the oven.
• Pasta can be done in the microwave; look at all the microwave frozen dinners made with pasta – that says it all.  Unfortunately, doing pasta from scratch in the microwave can be a bit touchy because it’s very easy to overcook it.
• Of course, reheating is primo. 

One of my favorite uses for the microwave is extending the life of store-bought bread.  Because I live in Texas, where humidity is king, baked goods go bad quickly unless you store them in the refrigerator, but refrigerated bread is, well, awful and hard as a rock.  To get your refrigerated bread back into eating form, simply wrap 2 slices in a napkin and microwave for 10 seconds.  It’ll not only come out soft, but warm, which is especially nice.

So remember – microwaves aren’t just for reheating!  Experiment with it just like you would any recipe on the stovetop and you’ll find yourself cooking more at home!