Simplified cooking with MW

You can easily roast nuts like cashews and groundnuts in microwave and store them for future use. For this, spread out the nuts in the microwave safe plate (preferably plate instead of bowl) and micro high for about 2 minutes for 1/2 cup of nuts. However, just check once in between and ensure they dont get burnt. Dont consume immediately. They become crisp when cooled.

Make paneer in the microwave-- Micro high 4 cups of milk in a doubly sized microwave safe bowl for 5 minutes. Stir every 2 minutes in between. Now add 2 tbsp of curd and micro high for 1 more minute. Leave it to cool for five minutes and then drain out the water.

To blanch tomatoes, use a toothpick to make holes in the tomato and micro high it for around 30 seconds. Allow a standing time of 2 minutes and then blanch them.

To extract juice from tamarind, add some water to it and micro high for 3 minutes in a microwave safe bowl. Allow standing time of 5-10 minutes and extract the juice. Its much easier to do this way.

To get more lemon juice, micro high the lemon for around 20 seconds in a microwave safe plate.

My entry to Srivalli's MW Event

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Basics of Microwave Cooking

Before Cooking-

• Aluminium vessels and glass containers with designs are a big NO for microwave.

• The plastic containers that you get as free gifts when you purchase microwave are better used only for reheating. Avoid cooking in it.

• To ensure that the glass bowl that you are using is microwave safe, fill it with water and micro high for a minute. If the bowl continues to remain cool, it is fit for cooking.

• Ensure that the vegetables are evenly cut for even and faster cooking. Add water to just dip the vegetables and keep adding when required as excess water will delay cooking.

• Microwave cooking requires a little more water than cooking in gas.

• Rice is best cooked in microwave if soaked in water for at least 20 minutes.

• To cook dal faster in microwave, soak it in water for half an hour.

• Before cooking potatoes, tomatoes, pierce them all over so that they don’t blast.


During cooking-

• Timing plays a crucial role in the success of a microwave recipe. The time taken to cook rice, dhals and vegetables differ with quantity, quality and size of the cut vegetables.

• Mix the food well once every 2 to 3 minutes, so that it cooks evenly.

• Keep checking if there is sufficient water, else food will get burnt.

• For cooking dals, always use a larger vessel, add some turmeric powder and few drops of oil to prevent spilling.

• Microwave extracts more taste from spices and salt…Hence use a bit lesser quantity than what you use for cooking on gas.

After Cooking-

• Use some cloth or gloves to remove the glass bowls from the microwave.

• After removing the glass bowls from the microwave, don’t keep it directly on slabs or cold surfaces as it will develop cracks. Always place a thick towel and then the glass bowl on it.

• Always allow 2-5 minutes standing time for food cooked in microwave prior to consumption.

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