Besides heating milk and leftovers, what else do you use your microwave for? In this issue, the Life Times has invited Associate Professor Fan Zhihong from the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University to explain some clever uses for a microwave in cooking.
Heat rice in the microwave before stir-frying. The key to a good stir-fried rice is to have each grain of rice separate. If the rice is too sticky, you can first heat it on high in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then on medium-low for another 1-2 minutes. Note that the lid should not be covered during heating, as this is not conducive to moisture evaporation.
Heat eggplant in the microwave before stir-frying. As is well known, eggplant is a very oil-absorbent ingredient. If you want to eat less greasy stir-fried eggplant, try this method: wash the eggplant, cut it into strips or pieces (with the skin on), and heat it on high in the microwave for 2 minutes before adding oil and stir-frying in a pan. This method is also applicable when making dry-fried green beans.
Roast sweet potatoes and potatoes in the microwave after pre-heating. Many people like to roast sweet potatoes and potatoes at home, but using only an oven takes 2 hours, which is both time-consuming and energy-consuming. You can pre-heat them in the microwave on high for 5-6 minutes first. This will cook the inside of the sweet potatoes and potatoes, and then you can put them in the oven to roast for about 30 minutes until they are fully cooked.
Make steamed eggs. Whisk 2 eggs with 1 to 1.5 times their volume of water in one direction until smooth. Pour into a dish, add a tiny amount of pepper and 1-2 drops of cooking wine to remove any腥味 (gamey smell), then add a small amount of salt. Heat in the microwave: first on high for 2-3 minutes, then on the defrost setting (low power) for 3 minutes. Take it out and let it cool to a suitable temperature before eating.
Make steamed fish. Clean and prepare a fresh fish weighing less than 1 jin (about 500g). Make a few small cuts in the thickest parts of the flesh and insert shredded green onions and ginger slices. Sprinkle with a little salt, place in a microwave-safe container, and cover with a lid or heat-resistant plastic wrap. Heat in the microwave for 6-7 minutes. The resulting fish will be nutritious and delicious. Remember to poke a few holes in the plastic wrap to allow steam to escape.
Finally, it should be reminded that microwave ovens have high heating efficiency, making it difficult to control the heat. Since the power and functions of microwave ovens vary greatly from household to household, it is necessary to experiment with the heating conditions during the cooking process. After a few trials, you will find the right combination of power and time to make delicious dishes.