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A to Z Recipes Newsletter
August 3, 2005
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Publisher's Desk
Ramblings
Did You Know?
Monthly Theme
Reader Support
Birthday Babies
Discussion Forum
Crazy Corner
Recipe Favorites
Heart Healthy
For Two
Publisher's Choice
Hi from Linda in Michigan. Tired of eating only foods that require no
cooking? Itching to turn on the oven and make a great meal? Not in our house.
Mr. Mike can't take the heat, and gets a murderous look in his eyes if I even go
near the oven in these high heat index days. So I use that big bread boxy thing
on the counter. You know, the microwave. I know, they aren't that big anymore.
But our microwave is the first and only one we have ever had. We bought it in
1976. Our kids think that it is so old that it is leaking enough rays to nuke
us. But it still makes a cup of water for tea, and heats up leftovers. And on
these hot days, it lets me make a good dinner without Mr. Mike melting. All the
recipes that I have for you today come from a little pamphlet that I received
when I took a microwave cooking class when we bought the beast. It was put out
by Mid-west Home Appliance Demonstrators. It has so many good recipes and tips,
that I don't even use the other microwave cookbooks that I have. I hope that you
will try a few of the recipes. Stay cool!
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Cookbooks, Recipes, Gourmet Cooking from Amazon
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I searched for poems or stories about microwaves with no luck. I found a
few, but would not print them, because they involved really sick kitty and baby
stories. I found this article and thought that you might find it useful.
Work Microwave: Office Safe?
From pizza to popcorn, the office microwave can get a pretty heavy workout. But
how often do you cover your food or clean up after yourself at work?
When it comes to food safety, the U.S. has the cleanest food supply in the
world. But when it comes to the office microwave anything goes. The office
microwave; a convenience of the modern workplace. It harnesses enough power to
make last night's spaghetti sauce erupt leaving behind food spatter on the
ceiling and walls. But when it comes to cleaning up after ourselves at work many
of us getting a failing grade. But does the office microwave have the potential
for spreading disease?
We went door to door paying a surprise visit to offices around the Twin Cities.
Clean microwaves were the exception. Nearly every place we checked, the
microwaves were caked with dried food. We even found one so filthy; the company
wouldn't let it be seen on camera.
It may look disgusting but was what we found dangerous?
Dr. Tina Schwach is a food scientist; she says when it comes to food-born
illness, we're our own worst enemy. More than likely, we get sick from eating
our own stuff apposed to what's on the microwave. But she warns, the potential
for food poisoning does exist. That's because microwaves themselves don't kill
harmful organisms.
The problem is in a microwave, the way we use it in the workplace, we're heating
up our food. So if there's something in the food in the first place that
spatters, we just do a re-warm, we could get sick from it.
We obtained samples from several office microwaves looking for food-born
pathogens. One of them is claustidium profrignhous and the other one is bascilus
eserious. Both spore formers that can survive in microwave. And those spores can
hang out virtually forever. We took scrap samples as well as individual swabs
from the top and sides. The cultures were then taken to Pace Analytical for
testing. The results? We found staffacocus species but not staffacocus orioius
which is the pathogen. We had bascillus suttlus and bascillus lyco de formus.
Now this one is really disgusting looking.
Nothing that we found is going to make anybody sick. But it is indicative of the
stuff that's not clean.
Everyone likes to nuke their leftovers but rarely does anyone take ownership of
the mess. And when it comes to not cleaning up - we found fingers pointing in
one direction.
Cover your food. Covering your food does two things. Number one it prevents
anything else from getting into your food and number two it prevents your food
from getting on the outside of the microwave.
It is not recommended that you wash your microwave with strong kitchen cleaners.
If you do get food splatter, the best advice: simply wipe it down with warm
water or a mild detergent. And whether it says it on the package or not, all
soap is anti-bacterial.
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MICROWAVE COOKING TIPS
When using the microwave to defrost meat, the foods must be completely cooked
right away. The microwave may have partially cooked part of the meat, and
bacteria may grow if the food isn't thoroughly cooked. Arrange food evenly in
the pans and follow directions for stirring, rotating and standing time.
Most recipes are developed for use in a 700 watt oven.
Check the food at the shortest time in the specified cooking range. Let the food
stand as directed, then test using an instant read thermometer to be super safe,
or test according to the recipe's doneness tests. You can easily cook it longer if
the food isn't done.
If you're wondering if a dish you own is microwave safe, there's an easy way to
test it. Place a cup full of water and the dish you want to test in the
microwave. Cook at 100% power for one minute. If the water gets hot and the dish you're testing stays cool, it is safe to use in the microwave. If the dish gets hot, it
contains lead or metals and shouldn't be used in the microwave.
Onions and other vegetables are easily saut?©ed in the microwave. Just chop as
directed in the recipe, place in a safe container, add 1 Tbsp. of water and cook
on HIGH for 1-2 minutes until soft. This is a great way to cook quickly with no
added fat.
In general, the outside sections of the food will cook more quickly. So arrange
fish fillets, for example, so the thinner parts are toward the center.
When cooking on any other power level than HIGH, the oven cooks by cycling power
on and off, so the energy has a chance to move through the food without
overcooking. MEDIUM and LOW power are generally used to soften, melt, and
defrost foods, while HIGH is usually used for cooking. Follow the recipe!
Remember to use microwave safe plastic wrap to cover the food while cooking if
the recipe says to. Leave one corner uncovered to vent steam so it doesn't build
up to dangerous levels.
Pay careful attention to arranging the food, stirring, rotating, and standing
instructions in the recipes.
To easily clean the microwave, place 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice in 1 cup of water in
a 2 cup liquid measuring cup. Microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, until the
liquid is boiling. Let the liquid remain in the microwave, without opening the
door, for 5 minutes. Remove the measuring cup. The microwave will easily wipe
clean with a paper towel.
MICROWAVE TIPS
Source: Cookingcorner.co.uk
MELT CHOCOLATE
In a small microwave safe bowl, break 25g (1 oz) chocolate into pieces and add a
tablespoon of milk, heat on High power for 1 - 2 minutes or until soft and the
surface is shiny, stir until it is melted and smooth in texture.
2. SOFTEN BUTTER
Place butter on a microwave safe plate, heat on Simmer power for 30 - 40
seconds.
3. DISSOLVE GELATIN
In a small microwave safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin over measured liquid. Allow to
stand for 1 minute. Heat on High power for 1- 2 minutes, stirring until
dissolved
4. SQUEEZE CITRUS FRUITS MORE EASILY
Prick the skin of the orange, lemon or lime that you wish to squeeze. Heat on
High power for 15 - 20 seconds, or until just warm. Cut in half and squeeze to
obtain fresh juice.
TOAST NUTS
In a shallow microwave dish, spread out 50g (2oz) shelled nuts. Heat the nuts on
High power for 2 ?? - 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.
6. PEEL TOMATOES
Pour 600ml ( 1 pint ) boiling water into a microwave safe glass jug or bowl. Add
2 tomatoes and heat on High power for 45 - 60 seconds, or until the skins have
split. Then place the tomatoes briefly in cold water and drain. The skins should
now remove very easily.
7. PEEL SMALL ONIONS AND GARLIC
In a microwaveable safe bowl place 75g(3oz) small, trimmed onions. Heat on High
power for 45 seconds, then squeeze the onions at the stalk end until they pop
out of their skins.
To peel garlic place 3 cloves on a microwave safe plate. Heat on High power for
15 - 20 seconds, or until the cloves are just warm. Squeeze them at one end
until they slide out of their skin.
8. REMOVE STRONG SMELLS FROM YOUR MICROWAVE
After cooking, fish or curry for example, the smell may linger in your oven.
This can be removed by squeezing lemon juice into a bowl of cold water, and
heating on High power for several minutes to allow the steam to freshen the microwave.
Alternatively cooking with highly flavored products such as wine, vinegar or
lemon juice will also reduce any smells.
9. PROVING DOUGH
Place dough in a microwave safe bowl and heat on High power for 10 seconds.
Allow to stand for 10 minutes and then heat on High power again for 10 seconds.
Leave in the microwave oven until the dough has doubled in size.
10. BRING CHEESE TO ROOM TEMPERATURE
To enjoy the full flavor of your cheese, bring it to room temperature before
serving, if you normally keep it in the fridge. Place 225g (8oz) unwrapped
cheese on a microwave safe plate, and just before serving heat on Medium power for 45 - 60 seconds
MICROWAVE MAINTENANCE
Source: Repairclinic.com
Interior cleaning Clean the inside of your microwave frequently. Food particles
and splatters absorb some of the microwave energy while the unit is operating
and may cause burns and other damage to the microwave. You can clean the interior
with a microwave oven cleaner. For a good one, check our "Accessory" section.
Exterior cleaning The touch pad controls, door hardware, and other exterior trim
pieces last longer when they're clean. See our "Accessory" section for a
microwave oven cleaner.
Surge protection Because microwave ovens have solid state circuitry inside,
they're susceptible to damage from voltage spikes caused by lightening, etc. We
recommend that you plug your microwave into an appropriate surge suppressor to
protect the circuitry.
Door safety Your microwave oven's door keeps the microwave energy inside, where
it belongs. If the door is in any way damaged, or if the door seal doesn't seem
to fit correctly or be in good repair, have the microwave checked by a qualified
appliance repair technician.
Running empty Warning! Never operate a microwave oven without food or liquid
inside it.
Microwave ovens heat by bombarding the food or liquid in the oven with
super-high-frequency microwave sound energy. If there's no food or liquid in the
oven to absorb the microwave energy, the energy can feed back to the microwave itself,
which can permanently damage the internal microwave antenna (magnetron).
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Sensational Salads
Here's the scoop on the current theme:
Whether it's a concoction of fresh salad greens and your tasty homemade dressing, or a sumptuous mixture of seafood, not much pleases more people than a tasty salad. I love seafood salads, as well as those delicious fruit or pasta salads. And who can resist a plate of crisp lettuce mixed with fresh vegetables and a garlicky vinnaigrette? What is your secret recipe for a meal-sized or side salad? Is your potato salad a hit at family gatherings? How about a Waldorf salad using crisp, fresh fruits? Send us those family keepers for Sensational Salad recipes for all to share here at A to Z Recipes. Make sure to view the rules section to ensure your submissions are acceptable.
Please use this email link to submit a recipe for theme recipes: Sensational Salads
A to Z Recipes continues with its popular Theme Issues. We will share theme recipes and post them on the first Sunday of each month. Send your recipes no later than the last Friday of each month to have them posted in the next monthly theme issue. You may send in your favorite theme recipes in ONE email. If the number of recipes submitted by readers exceeds those needed in the issue, the publisher will post as many from every submitter as possible and save the remaining recipes for the following Sundays of that month. The rules for recipe submissions for the monthly theme issues are the same as ALL recipes submitted for posting.
The rules are:
As a service to your fellow readers, please send only recipes that are in a form that others could easily copy and save for their own use. Recipes that would require a lot of editing or cleaning up (ALL caps or NO caps) or use non-standard measurements should not be submitted. Recipes without a name and location of sender may NOT be posted or posted without any credit given. There will be NO recipes posted that are from other recipe-zines. A to Z Recipes protects the privacy of its readers and does NOT publish email addresses. There will be no exceptions.
See the A to Z Recipes Theme Issues collection here:
A to Z Recipes Theme Issues
The theme issue for Sensational Salads has a deadline of August 26, 2005, and will be posted on September 4, 2005.
Please use this email link to submit a recipe for theme recipes: Sensational Salads
As usual, only recipes are to be sent to: A to Z Recipes Inbox.
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Family Reunion Photos!
Our first one was
June 2004. Check out Leslie and Rusty's pics from
December 2004. The most recent gathering was held May 2005.
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"Hello, this is Sally's microwave. Her answering machine just eloped with her
tape deck, so I'm stuck taking her calls. Say, if you want anything cooked while
you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone."
Microwave
A blonde walks into an electronics store and points to something behind the
clerk.
"How much is that television set? "she asks.
"Sorry, we don't sell to blondes," the clerk said.
So the girl walks out. The next day, she returns wearing a brown wig. She again
approaches the clerk and asks "How much is that television set behind you?
"The clerk replies, "Sorry, we don't sell to blondes.
"Again, the girl walks out. She again tries the next day, this time wearing a
red wig. She goes up to the clerk and asks "How much is that television set
behind you?"
The clerk again replies, "We don't sell to blondes!"
Well, the girl was kind of suspicious. She asks carefully, "How do you know I'm
a blonde?"
The clerk looks at the girl and says:
"Because that's not a television, it's a microwave."
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WHITE SAUCE
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
Salt, pepper
Soften butter in small cup about 5 seconds. Stir in flour to make a paste. Heat
milk in a one pint measuring cup or bowl for 2 minutes. (I use a glass 2 cup
measuring cup.) Stir in flour paste, cook 2 minutes longer. Stir.
Makes one cup medium white sauce.
APPLESAUCE
4 cups peeled and sliced tart apples
1/3 cup water
?? to ?? Cup sugar
Place apples, water and sugar in a deep 1 ?? quart casserole. Cover casserole
with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 8 to 9 minutes or until apples are
tender.
MEXICO BEEF MACARONI
?? pound lean ground beef
1 cup uncooked macaroni
?? cup chopped onions
1 cup (8 oz. Can) tomato sauce
1 cup water
?? cup catsup
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
?? teaspoon salt
?? teaspoon pepper
?? teaspoon chili pepper
1 can corn undrained ( 7 or 8 ounces)
Place all items in a 2 quart glass casserole. Stir well. Be sure ground beef is
broken apart. Microwave covered for 15 minutes on HIGH. Stir ?? way through
cooking time. Let stand 5 minutes covered.
SONJA'S CHICKEN CASSEROLE
1 package macaroni and cheese
1 can (6 1/2 ounces) chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 ?? cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon dried green peppers
1 can Durkee French Fried Onion Rings
2 Tablespoons butter
Combine first 5 ingredients in a 2 quart glass casserole. Mix well. Microwave on
HIGH for 16 minutes, covered. Stir ?? way through cooking time. Let stand covered
5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons butter, mix well. Top with onion rings.
MEATBALL STROGANOFF
1 egg, slightly beaten
?? cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon instant onion
2 tablespoons catsup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
?? teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1 pound ground beef (lean)
1 package brown gravy mix
?? cup water
?? cup sour cream
In a bowl, combine meat, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, catsup, Worcestershire sauce,
salt and pepper. Mix well. Shape into balls a little smaller than a walnut. Place
meatballs in a 8 x 8 glass pan. Sprinkle with package of dry gravy mix.
Microwave covered on HIGH for 5 minutes. Add ?? cup of water, stir or rearrange
meatballs, cover and microwave 3 minutes on HIGH. Add ?? cup sour cream, stir.
Cover and let stand 2 minutes before serving.
CHOCOLATE RUM CAKE
1 package two layer yellow cake mix
1 cup of sour cream
?? cup of cooking oil
1 package instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons rum flavoring
Beat the above for 7 minutes (no less)
Fold in:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips
Grease a glass or plastic 10 ?? cup bundt pan with Crisco, coat the Crisco with
sugar. Microwave on HIGH for 11 to 13 minutes, turn ?? turn twice during cooking.
Makes 6 cupcakes and a bundt.
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ZUCCHINI MEDLEY
1 onion, quartered
1 medium tomato quartered
1 cup mushrooms
2 cups zucchini, cut in one inch cubes
2 cups yellow summer squash, cut in one inch cubes
?? cup Velveeta cheese
Place all ingredients (except for cheese) in a 1 ?? quart casserole. Microwave on
HIGH 10 minutes, covered, stir ?? way through cooking time. Add ?? cup cheese and
return to oven for an additional 45 seconds. Let stand covered 3 to 5 minutes.
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TV DINNERS
Make your own and reheat in the microwave on HIGH for 6 to 7 minutes covered.
Use sturdy paper plates with sections. Put in 4 ounces cooked eat, 1/3 cup
gravy, ?? cup mashed potatoes, ?? cup vegetables with a pat of butter. Other items
may be substituted as long as portions are the same. Wrap and store in freezer
no longer than 3 to 4 weeks.
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