12 WAYS TO USE A MICROWAVE

By ClaudiaJan

Ingredients

• Poultry PDQ:
• Arrange 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves around edge of shallow
• 10-inch casserole with lid. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Cover and microwave on High about 6 minutes, until juices run clear. Let stand 4 minutes. Use in your favorite chicken-salad recipe.
• Mr. Potato Head: Try this unusual method for perfect micro-baked potatoes. Scrub 1 baking potato and prick with a fork. Wrap wet potato in wax paper and microwave on High 41/2 minutes or until tender. Let stand 2 minutes.
• In a Curry: For best flavor, sprinkle 2 teaspoons curry or chili powder in custard cup and microwave uncovered on High 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Five-Minute Tomato Sauce: in 4-cup measure, combine 11A pounds plum tomatoes, chopped, 1
• cup chopped basil leaves and 1 garlic clove, minced. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave on High 5 minutes. Puree in food processor with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Toss with 1 pound cooked pasta. Makes 4 servings.

Preparation

Step 1

All Choked Up: Trim stem and tips of 2 artichokes. Wrap each in damp paper towel. Microwave on High 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until a leaf pulls away easily. Let stand 5 minutes.



Crack a Coconut: Pierce eyes of a coconut with ice pick and drain liquid. Wrap coconut in plastic wrap and microwave on High 5 minutes or until fragrant and very hot. Let stand 15 minutes. Wrap coconut in kitchen towel and split with hammer or mallet. Pry out meat with sturdy knife.



Quick-Roasted Garlic: Trim top of 1 whole head garlic. Place in 1-cup measure with 3 tablespoons chicken broth. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave on High about 10 minutes, until tender. Let stand 5 minutes. Spread on toasted French bread.



Simple Shellfish: Arrange 1 dozen fresh clams or mussels, scrubbed, around edge of dinner plate with hinges toward edge. Cover with crumpled wax paper and microwave on High 3 to 5 minutes, until shells open. Discard any unopened shells. Serve with cocktail sauce.



Warming Tortillas: Wrap 4 soft flour tortillas in damp paper towel and microwave on High 1 minute or until heated through.



Roasted Chestnuts: Cut an X in the flat side of 1/2 pound chestnuts and spread in single layer in casserole with lid. Add 1A cup water. Cover and microwave on High 41/2 minutes, stirring once. Cool slightly; peel.



Sliceable Squash: For easy cutting, microwave 1 acorn squash on High 1 minute, then cut or slice.



No Salt Added: To season meats and veggies when microwaving, add some chicken or beef broth, not salt. Cooking in broth enhances flavor, while sprinkling with salt can cause food to cook unevenly, discolor and dry out.



Micro Meatballs: in large bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs, 1A cup minced onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper; mix well. Shape into 15 meatballs and arrange in circle in shallow 10-inch casserole with lid. Cover and microwave on High 4 minutes

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LADIES' HOME JOURNAL- SEPTEMBER 1992