Thread: Do You Do Much Cooking In Your Microwave?

On Oct 8, 11:21*pm, jhaff...@webtv.net (Judy Haffner) wrote:
> I got my first microwave in 1983, and at first I experimented by trying
> out several things in it, but was never that "thrilled" with the
> results, except I do have a excellent carrot dish I make in it, and we
> all like that. I also really like it for making white sauce, pudding,
> and candy, but find it especially handy, for melting chocolate,
> softening butter and cream cheese, and cooking frozen veggies in it.
> Hubby uses it for Stove Top stuffing and the package gravies. Of course,
> we defrost a lot in it, and also soften day old rolls, warm up leftovers
> and heat water for beverages, so would miss it if I didn't have it, as
> find I use it frequently.
>
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?
>
> Judy

I only use a microwave to warm stuff up. Leftover pizza etc.

"Judy Haffner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>
> I got my first microwave in 1983, and at first I experimented by trying
> out several things in it, but was never that "thrilled" with the
> results, except I do have a excellent carrot dish I make in it, and we
> all like that. I also really like it for making white sauce, pudding,
> and candy, but find it especially handy, for melting chocolate,
> softening butter and cream cheese, and cooking frozen veggies in it.
> Hubby uses it for Stove Top stuffing and the package gravies. Of course,
> we defrost a lot in it, and also soften day old rolls, warm up leftovers
> and heat water for beverages, so would miss it if I didn't have it, as
> find I use it frequently.
>
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?

Not really. When I first got mine I would make chocolate pudding and
muffins. The muffins came out large and fluffy. However, pudding and
muffins are not among my favorite things and I never make them any more. I
also used to cook eggs but now that I know I am allergic to them, I don't
eat them any more.

Mostly I used the microwave to reheat leftovers. I heat the Teff Wraps for
my daughter and also her gluten free bread. I do make nachos in it but I do
believe that they come out better in the oven.

I used to boil water in it but now I have an electric kettle. Just as fast
if not faster and I can make more at a time.

I used to heat up canned things like chili and soup but didn't like the way
that it made the bowls too hot. So I heat those on the stove now.

Once in a while I will buy some kind of frozen food that I will heat in the
microwave.

But overall I find it doesn't do well for cooking.

On Oct 8, 8:21*pm, jhaff...@webtv.net (Judy Haffner) wrote:
> I got my first microwave in 1983, and at first I experimented by trying
> out several things in it, but was never that "thrilled" with the
> results, except I do have a excellent carrot dish I make in it, and we
> all like that. I also really like it for making white sauce, pudding,
> and candy, but find it especially handy, for melting chocolate,
> softening butter and cream cheese, and cooking frozen veggies in it.
> Hubby uses it for Stove Top stuffing and the package gravies. Of course,
> we defrost a lot in it, and also soften day old rolls, warm up leftovers
> and heat water for beverages, so would miss it if I didn't have it, as
> find I use it frequently.
>
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?
>
> Judy

I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
one once in a blue moon at work
to warm up something, but only as a last resort.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Judy Haffner) wrote:

> I got my first microwave in 1983, and at first I experimented by trying
> out several things in it, but was never that "thrilled" with the
> results, except I do have a excellent carrot dish I make in it, and we
> all like that. I also really like it for making white sauce, pudding,
> and candy, but find it especially handy, for melting chocolate,
> softening butter and cream cheese, and cooking frozen veggies in it.
> Hubby uses it for Stove Top stuffing and the package gravies. Of course,
> we defrost a lot in it, and also soften day old rolls, warm up leftovers
> and heat water for beverages, so would miss it if I didn't have it, as
> find I use it frequently.
>
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?

I tend to heat things up in it or thaw frozen food, rather than
"cooking" per se.

Miche

--
Electricians do it in three phases

"Judy Haffner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>
> I got my first microwave in 1983, and at first I experimented by trying
> out several things in it, but was never that "thrilled" with the
> results, except I do have a excellent carrot dish I make in it, and we
> all like that. I also really like it for making white sauce, pudding,
> and candy, but find it especially handy, for melting chocolate,
> softening butter and cream cheese, and cooking frozen veggies in it.
> Hubby uses it for Stove Top stuffing and the package gravies. Of course,
> we defrost a lot in it, and also soften day old rolls, warm up leftovers
> and heat water for beverages, so would miss it if I didn't have it, as
> find I use it frequently.
>
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?

Mine is a combination oven which I use a lot. The microwave part though not
so much. I use it for for defrosting mostly.
--
http://www.shop.helpforheros.org.uk

On 09/10/2011 1:03 AM, ImStillMags wrote:
I use it frequently.
>>
>> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
>> foods to prepare in there?
>>
>> Judy
>
> I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
> one once in a blue moon at work
> to warm up something, but only as a last resort.
>
>

I don't know why I replaced my old one when the timer/power switch
broke. I had rarely used it. I seldom use the new one. I think that the
last time I used it was about 4 months ago, and that was just to soften
some butter. Sure, it did a quick job of that, but it hardly justifies
the counter space it occupies.

In article <8Ehkq.477699$[email protected] >,
Dave Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

> On 09/10/2011 1:03 AM, ImStillMags wrote:
> I use it frequently.
> >>
> >> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> >> foods to prepare in there?
> >>
> >> Judy
> >
> > I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
> > one once in a blue moon at work
> > to warm up something, but only as a last resort.
> >
> >
>
> I don't know why I replaced my old one when the timer/power switch
> broke. I had rarely used it. I seldom use the new one. I think that the
> last time I used it was about 4 months ago, and that was just to soften
> some butter. Sure, it did a quick job of that, but it hardly justifies
> the counter space it occupies.

I've become a huge fan of Pastorio's methods. Almost all veggies now
are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.

Alternate methods, depending on my mood and patience level, are roasting
or BBQ.

I rarely cook meat in the m-wave and NEVER beef! Chicken and pork can
be quite a bit more forgiving and can be successfully cooked in the
microwave.

One just has to learn the skills.

I can honestly say, I cook about 50% or more of my food in the microwave
any more, and it works if you learn how to do it. A good majority of the
rest are cooked in the toaster oven, then re-heated as needed in the
m-wave.

Even eggs. I can turn out a beautiful and fluffy (not rubbery!) omelet
or scrambled egg dish now from the microwave in a fraction of the time
it used to take.

Not having a stove any more tends to push one's cooking skills on plug
in appliances to new hights. <g> I really could use a decent hot plate
as the one I currently have sucks for really bringing things up to a
good temp. Makes it hard to use the pressure cooker.

Any suggestions for brands for a good hot plate that really gets HOT for
a good price would be most welcome!
--
Peace, Om
Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>

"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have
come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
-- Mark Twain

On 8-Oct-2011, [email protected] (Judy Haffner) wrote:

> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
> foods to prepare in there?
>
> Judy

I have had one since the late 70's. I watched the old microwave cooking
shows on PBS (Donovan Jon Fandre's three shows) and bought the cookbooks. I
have cooked many things from those cookbooks; but, find the microwave best
suited for fish and other wet foods. It is also excellent for par-cooking
items, like green peppers for stuffed peppers.
--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

l, not -l;1669604 Wrote:
> On 8-Oct-2011, [email protected] (Judy Haffner) wrote:
> -
> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your
> favorite
> foods to prepare in there?
>
> Judy-
>
> I have had one since the late 70's. I watched the old microwave
> cooking
> shows on PBS (Donovan Jon Fandre's three shows) and bought the
> cookbooks. I
> have cooked many things from those cookbooks; but, find the microwave
> best
> suited for fish and other wet foods. It is also excellent for
> par-cooking
> items, like green peppers for stuffed peppers.
> --
>
> Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

Had one back in the day, too. I remember the picture of an antire turkey
, beautifully browned. Tried hanburgers, chicken, etc. Godaweful.

I'll steam veggies over boiling water and I can make rice more nice on
the stovetop. Good for heatng up soups and stews. good at heating up the
rice; but I like stainless for rice.




--
Gorio

On Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:49:35 -0400, Dave Smith
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 09/10/2011 1:03 AM, ImStillMags wrote:
> I use it frequently.
>>>
>>> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
>>> foods to prepare in there?
>>>
>>> Judy
>>
>> I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
>> one once in a blue moon at work
>> to warm up something, but only as a last resort.
>>
>>
>
>I don't know why I replaced my old one when the timer/power switch
>broke. I had rarely used it. I seldom use the new one. I think that the
>last time I used it was about 4 months ago, and that was just to soften
>some butter. Sure, it did a quick job of that, but it hardly justifies
>the counter space it occupies.

Microwave ovens are available in many sizes, if all you use it for is
to reheat get a small one. I have a GE under cabinet style but I use
it on the countertop, it's on the small side and occupies a very small
corner footprint. A day doesn't pass that I don't use my microwave to
reheat something but rarely use it to actually cook except a few times
a season for corn on the cob (if you want to call that cooking). I've
tried cooking with a microwave oven and it can do a pretty good job
with certain foods but not for the amounts I typically cook. I find
nuking a portion of stoup in the bowl I eat it from is far superior to
dirtying a pot and having to watch it heat on the stove top. With a
microwave it's easy to set the time and power level and it always
signals so it's near impossible to burn something. And I don't think
a day passes that I don't use my nuker to reheat my last half cup of
coffee. I'd have a microwave oven on my counter way ahead of several
other small kitchen appliances. I've been using my GE for over 25
years and when it finally goes I intend to get another but a larger
one, one with bit more head room to accomodate many of my covered
casseroles without having to use the lid upside down.

On 9-Oct-2011, Omelet <[email protected]> wrote:

> Almost all veggies now
> are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
> handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.

This is probably my number two reason to use a microwave; reheating being
first and cooking various kinds of fish being third. I very rarely use the
microwave for just defrosting; however, many of the vegetables I cook in the
microwave are started from the frozen state.

--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

Omelet wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
>> ImStillMags wrote:
>> I use it frequently.
>> >>
>> >> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
>> >> foods to prepare in there?
>> >>
>> >> Judy
>> >
>> > I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
>> > one once in a blue moon at work
>> > to warm up something, but only as a last resort.
>>
>> I don't know why I replaced my old one when the timer/power switch
>> broke. I had rarely used it. I seldom use the new one. I think that the
>> last time I used it was about 4 months ago, and that was just to soften
>> some butter. Sure, it did a quick job of that, but it hardly justifies
>> the counter space it occupies.
>
>I've become a huge fan of Pastorio's methods. Almost all veggies now
>are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
>handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.

That's not his method... people here (and everywhere) have been nuking
veggies for forever, from long before Pastorio ever arrived at RFC...
every bag of frozen veggies (and most frozen foods) has had microwave
cooking directions printed on the package for as long as I can
remember. Pastorio had no methods, he was the original keyboard
kook... he could out type folks is all, he was a driven obsessed
keyboarder... Pastorio was the most verbose know nothing usenet has
ever seen, before, during, and since.

On Sun, 9 Oct 2011 16:19:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>On 9-Oct-2011, Omelet <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Almost all veggies now
>> are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
>> handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.
>
>This is probably my number two reason to use a microwave; reheating being
>first and cooking various kinds of fish being third.

You microwave fish... you must be Vietnamese or Eyetalian not to
notice the schtink. I once made the fatal error of reheating pizza
that had anchovy topping... oy vey.

On 9-Oct-2011, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> >This is probably my number two reason to use a microwave; reheating being
> >first and cooking various kinds of fish being third.
>
> You microwave fish... you must be Vietnamese or Eyetalian not to
> notice the schtink. I once made the fatal error of reheating pizza
> that had anchovy topping... oy vey.

Niether; primarily English heritage, with a touch of German. I generally
only eat mild white fish or salmon; when of good quality and cooked
appropriately in the microwave, there is little or no smell - certainly no
more than any other way of cooking them. Microwave cooking of fish is
basically steaming or poaching, at least it is they way I do it.
--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

Got my first microwave in 1971. The main thing is heating up a cup of
instant coffee. The other two main uses are cooking eggs and thawing out
things or tv dinners.

Greg

I use my microwave for:

- Melting chocolate, butter, etc.

- Re-heating leftover sauces.

- Emergency thawing.

- Partially cooking vegetables, including potatoes, to speed their cooking buy
other methods in specific recipes or to equalize cooking times in complex
dishes.

- Pre-heating espresso cups.

- The rest of the time, it's our breadbox.

-- Larry

"Dave Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:8Ehkq.477699$[email protected] .com...
> On 09/10/2011 1:03 AM, ImStillMags wrote:
> I use it frequently.
>>>
>>> Do you like to cook in yours, and if so, what are some of your favorite
>>> foods to prepare in there?
>>>
>>> Judy
>>
>> I got rid of my microwave years ago. Don't like them. I will use
>> one once in a blue moon at work
>> to warm up something, but only as a last resort.
>>
>>
>
> I don't know why I replaced my old one when the timer/power switch broke.
> I had rarely used it. I seldom use the new one. I think that the last time
> I used it was about 4 months ago, and that was just to soften some butter.
> Sure, it did a quick job of that, but it hardly justifies the counter
> space it occupies.

Mine is used daily. But usually just once or twice a day and usually not by
me. My husband cooks eggs in it. Daughter made something in it this
morning. I don't know what it was. And if I make her a sandwich I put her
bread in there for 10 seconds.

This house came with a built in space for a microwave. It's an 80's house.

"Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Sun, 9 Oct 2011 16:19:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>On 9-Oct-2011, Omelet <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Almost all veggies now
>>> are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
>>> handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.
>>
>>This is probably my number two reason to use a microwave; reheating being
>>first and cooking various kinds of fish being third.
>
> You microwave fish... you must be Vietnamese or Eyetalian not to
> notice the schtink. I once made the fatal error of reheating pizza
> that had anchovy topping... oy vey.

Once I was in a hurry for tuna casserole that was in the oven but not
heated through. I made the mistake of putting it in the microwave. Oh it
heated through just fine. But the smell! Ooooooooh.

On Sun, 9 Oct 2011 12:59:00 -0700, "Julie Bove"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]. .
>> On Sun, 9 Oct 2011 16:19:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>On 9-Oct-2011, Omelet <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Almost all veggies now
>>>> are steamed in the microwave in a covered corningware. It's been really
>>>> handy since steaming is almost the only way I cook veggies any more.
>>>
>>>This is probably my number two reason to use a microwave; reheating being
>>>first and cooking various kinds of fish being third.
>>
>> You microwave fish... you must be Vietnamese or Eyetalian not to
>> notice the schtink. I once made the fatal error of reheating pizza
>> that had anchovy topping... oy vey.
>
>Once I was in a hurry for tuna casserole that was in the oven but not
>heated through. I made the mistake of putting it in the microwave. Oh it
>heated through just fine. But the smell! Ooooooooh.

Exactly. Microwaves do something to fish that should make it illegal