With a microwave oven, the concept of “fast food” takes on a whole new meaning.  By using your microwave you can:

·        Reduce cooking times by up to 75%.

·        Reduce the fat content in dishes anywhere from 50% to 100%.

·        Preserve valuable nutrients that might be lost by some other cooking methods.

·        Simplify cleanup tremendously - often you can mix, cook, and serve in one casserole.

·        There will rarely be any burned or baked on fat or grease to remove.

Other benefits of microwave usage:

·        The kitchen will stay cooler in hot weather - while saving on electrical expense as well. 

·        Utility experts estimate that a microwave uses 30-70% less power than conventional cooking methods, and

·        Microwave recipes don't require any preheating time.

Most people tend to use microwave ovens to reheat coffee and leftovers, to pop popcorn and to warm such things as Danish and sweet rolls.  Many people think that trying to cook a meal in a microwave is too difficult, because it requires learning something new and very different from what they're used to.  With microwave cooking, foods are actually heated and cooked in a whole new way; in fact, unconventional types of cookware can be used - including paper plates and plastic dishes and containers.  And, different cooking techniques other than the ones you're familiar with come into use.

While the microwave is not intended to replace all of your stovetop, oven, pressure cooker, wok, toaster or other cooking appliances, it is another means of cooking with its own unique uses and strengths.  There are, in fact, many things it does even better than some of the other conventional methods of cooking.  A microwave can speedily cook healthy foods that may require too much time for practical daily use.  In reality, with today’s microwave ovens, the time-saving possibilities are virtually endless.

There are no fixed rules when converting conventional recipes to microwave cooking. However, when deciding whether to try a favorite recipe in the microwave, think about the basic cooking method and whether it will translate easily and efficiently.

Guidelines for converting recipes:

Select a microwave recipe similar to the conventional recipe that you would like to prepare and use it as a guide. Both recipes should call for similar ingredients in similar proportions. 

·        Use a recipe that cooks best by moist heat.  Recipes that call for a crisp, browned crust or dry surface should be cooked conventionally.

·        Reduce the liquid in a conventional recipe about ¼ because there is very little evaporation in microwave cooking.

·        Use slightly less seasoning.  Taste after cooking, then add extra seasoning, if desired.

·        Cook in a dish similar to the one recommended for the conventional recipe.  However, use deep dishes for cooking cakes, soups, and milk sauces because these foods temporarily increase in volume during microwave cooking.

·        Reduce the amount of cooking time by ¼-½ the conventional time.  Foods containing fat, sugar, and liquid will cook faster.

·        Use the same test for doneness as recommended for conventional cooking.  Test after the minimum time recommended.

Microwave oven power is measured in watts and indicates the cooking power of your oven.  Generally, ovens with more watts of power will cook food faster than ones with lower wattage.  Although foods will cook in any oven, to cook properly it is necessary to determine the wattage of your oven.  The following basic test will help you determine your oven wattage output:

One cup (8 oz.) of room temperature water (approximately 75 degrees) will boil at HIGH power (100%) in:

• HIGH-power oven (850-1000 watts) less than 2 minutes.

•  Full-power oven (650-850 watt) 2-3 minutes.

• Lower-power oven (400-650 watt) 3-4 minutes.

When using recipes and package directions, a "HIGH Power" microwave oven should be set for less than minimum time recommended.  If your oven is "LOW Power," it will possibly take longer than the recommended cooking times.

On the basis of a microwave with 650-800 watts of power, the scale below shows how you can learn to relate your microwave "percentages of power" to your conventional oven's "degrees of heat."  Note:  all heat measurements are in degrees Fahrenheit.

100-90% power     - 425-500°,   deep fat fry, broil or stove-top burner on "HIGH"

80%                       - 375-425°

70%                       - 350-375°    or medium-high on stove-top

60-50%                 - 300-350°    or medium on stove-top

40-30%                 - 225-300°    or medium-low on stove-top

20%                       - 200-225°

10%                       - 150-200°    or lowest setting on stove-top