Cooking Nike

If your kitchen is like most kitchens these days, you’ve probably got a microwave oven sitting in it. And what do you use it for? Reheating? Melting butter or chocolate when baking? Maybe the kids throw a hot dog in once in a while. Well, if that’s how your microwave gets used, you’re missing out on a great cooking tool. After all, why heat up your oven when you can do the whole job in the microwave in the time it takes to pre-heat your oven?

A couple of good reasons to use your microwave instead of your oven are that no pre-heating is needed and the cost is greatly reduced. Using your microwave for 100 hours will cost about $7.00 compared to about $70.00 for 100 hours of conventional oven use.

Understanding how a microwave works will also help you rethink using it a little more, too. Molecules of fat, sugar and water within food attract microwaves that reflect against the metal walls of the oven. The molecules begin to vibrate against one another causing friction and that’s the heat that cooks the food. The microwaves can only penetrate food 1-1&1/2 inches so larger dishes need the vibrating molecules to move from the outside edges to the center of the food for it to be cooked. That’s why food placement, dish quality and cooking quantity are all important when cooking in the microwave.

Microwaves can pass through plastic, paper, wood and glass but not through metals. That’s why you’ll get “Arching” or sparking if you put metal in the microwave.

A good rule to remember when cooking in the microwave is that approximately 6 minutes per pound will cook most foods including meat, poultry and fruit and vegetables. Seafood will take less time and reducing the power of your microwave will require longer cooking time. About 20% of the cooking time takes place after the oven turns off so make sure you remember that your food will continue cooking after you’ve removed it.

You might be used to your ovens temperature in degrees but you can convert your microwave’s temperature that is described in power or watts. A microwave on high or 100% power is about the same as having your oven at 425 degrees. A 350-degree oven would be about the same as a microwave at 50% power.

You can determine the wattage of a microwave by placing 1 cup of tap water in a two cup measuring cup. Heat on high for two minutes. If the water boils in two minutes or less, the microwave is probably 700 watts or more. If it takes longer than it is 600 watts or less.

Different foods will require different temperatures to cook properly and while you should follow the 6 minutes per pound rule, add more minutes as you drop the power. Using 50% power, you’d want to cook your food for about 11 minutes. Cooking something that takes an hour in the oven should take about 15 minutes in the microwave.

Here are some helpful hints when cooking in the microwave:

Arrange food in dish so that the thicker part is on the outside and the thinner part inside for more even cooking.

Using a dish with a cone in the center will also help distribute heat evenly.

Let foods such as cakes with baking powder in them stand a few minutes before cooking to allow the leavening agents to work.

Don’t use as much liquid — if a recipe calls for milk and water, cut back on the water. You might want to use fewer spices as well.

Open covers away from you to release steam.

If you cover it in the regular oven, cover it in the microwave too.

Ready to try it yet? Get out your favorite cookbook and get cooking. You’ll be saving time and money and still eating those foods you love.

Water less pots are designed to help individuals looking to begin cooking the water less way. The fundamental thought behind stainless waterless food preparation is that the foods are cooked in their own juices. By using stainless waterless pans which are made of numerous layers of alloy, pots have enhanced heat conductivity as well as being able to retain moisture better. This allows cooks to cutback the measure of oil and water in their recipes. Cooking food in waterless stainless steel cookware has the advantage of retaining more vitamins and minerals, as well as giving food a more natural taste.

The creation of waterless stainless steel pans is made by combining many numerous layers of metal, with an important layer being aluminum. Aluminum has many characteristics such as being able to conduct heat speedily. But it is known for rubbing off into food when used for food preparation. waterless cookware plys stainless steel around the potential harmful aluminum to keep it harmless for food preparation. This keeps you healthy but also gives the benefit of outstanding heat conduction.

Another critical element in the design of waterless stainless steel pans is the lid. The design of the lid keeps in all moisture from the food. This forces condensing on the undersurface of lid which drips back onto the food. The lids themselves are designed to be heavier to create a better seal as opposed to a more traditional cooking lid. A number of pots manufacturers make use of a valve on their lid to allow for temperature control. Even though waterless cooking does not require control valves, it can make temperature control easier in a variety of situations.

Cooks and chefs may not be cognizant of all of the benefits of using waterless pots. waterless stainless steel cookware differs from traditional cooking styles because it cooks food faster with far less energy. When food cooks in the particularly designed surgical steel pans it locks in the juices which holds onto the foods nutrients and taste. Foods cooked in ply waterless pots and pans ordinarily don’t necessitate any additional flavors added like butter or oils. Another health advantage is that when foods are cooked in their own water, there is no requirement to add excess water when cooking them. And the vitamins and minerals contained within the vegetables are not lost with the drainage of H2O from the pot.

Up until a few years ago waterless stainless steel pans was tough to locate, but the internet has now made it much easier to find. Going to a search engine and typing in a brand or particular component of surgical stainless steel waterless cookware will supply a variety of outcomes. It is definitely much simpler to shop for diverse types of water less pots to compare what is on the market. Previously the most common way to purchase a ply waterless cookware set was by attending a home show. Acquiring a water less cookware set at a home show or food preparation revelry as the benefit of holding the pots and pans and seeing it in action. This is another great way for those new to surgical steel cooking to ascertain more about diverse recipes and techniques.

Preparing food for you and your kin with stainless waterless pots has many advantages over common types of pans and methods. The numerous pluses of ply waterless food preparation encompass better tasting foods that are healthier and that are completed quicker. Those choosing a ply waterless pots and pans set would be well served to do their own cyberspace inquiry. Likewise it would be a beneficial decision to meet or talk with somebody who has a ply waterless cookware set or has a few experience with water-less cooking. Preparing food and cooking meals will be changed for the better for those who select water-less cookware.

Herbs are fun and easy to grow. When harvested they make even the simplest meal seem like a gourmet delight. By using herbs in your cooking you can easily change the flavors of your recipes in many different ways, according to which herbs you add. Fresh herbs are great in breads, stews, soups or vegetables. Every time you add a different herb you have completely changed the taste.

If you are a beginner start slowly, add just a little at a time adjusting as you go along until you have it just right. You will see in most instances that an individual herb is associated with a particular food item. Basil is paired with tomatoes, Oregano with sauces, Rosemary with lamb and Chives with butter or cream cheese. Of course, none of them are limited to these items, but you will see them paired most often with that particular food. Use your imagination and experiment, experiment, experiment!

You can make herb vinegars for salad dressings, marinades, or soups. Herb oils are very useful in cooking whenever a recipe calls for it.

Fresh herbs as garnishes dress up any dish making it look truly spectacular. Lay individual sprigs of rosemary over broiled lamb chops. Chop fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the top of your potato salad. The combinations are endless and the outcome delicious.

Fresh herbs will keep in the refrigerator for several days but then you must freeze them. They can be frozen by laying them a paper towel and putting them in a plastic bag. Once they are frozen only use them in cooking not as garnishes. A friend of mine washes them, puts them an ice cube tray, covers them with water and then freezes them. When she needs them for soup, stews or sauces she just drops a cube in.

My favorite herbs to grow are basil, oregano, lemon balm, parsley and mint. Mint is great but is careful; mint can over run your garden. A tip here would be to bury an empty coffee can and plant the mint in it. The can prevents the mint from “creeping” all through your garden.

I love to make herb butters. Take a half of a cup of softened butter and mix in about 4 tablespoons of a fresh herb. Lay out a piece of saran wrap, place the butter in the middle roll the saran wrap up to form a “log” out of the butter. Put in the refrigerator and anytime you need a pat of butter just cut it off the “log”. (Hints for “log” butter: potatoes, bread, steaks, noodles or any kind of sauce).

A fresh herb in any salad dressing really makes it sparkle. You can use any herb or a combination, be creative.

I learned a trick a long time ago using basil, lemon and avocados to create and instant natural face mask. Put a big handful of basil in a blender and run it on high. Once the basil has been pulverized, throw in a half of an avocado and a large teaspoon of lemon juice, mix until smooth. Wash your face, pat it dry and gently rub the avocado mixture on. Leave it on as long as you like, then use warm water to it wash off.

These are just a few ways you can use fresh herbs from your garden. I am sure you will come up with many more. Happy cooking