A perception exists that microwave cookery leads to limp, mushy, and overcooked food. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! If you’re knowledgeable about cooking times and cooking techniques, your microwave can be an excellent tool for achieving delicious, perfectly cooked food in less time than traditional cooking methods.
Microwave ovens cook food by penetrating it with microwaves, which then cause moisture molecules to vibrate and heat up. The more water that’s in the food, the faster it cooks. And because most vegetables are more than 90% water, they cook quickly. This makes vegetables an ideal food to cook in your microwave!
Cooking vegetables in the microwave has many advantages over traditional methods, such as the oven or stovetop.
Below, we outline a general method for cooking all vegetables in the microwave. Further on in the guide, you can also find specific instructions for individual vegetables.
Microwave for four minutes on high without removing the husk. Once it’s cooled enough to handle, the husk and cornsilk peels off easily, leaving you with perfectly cooked corn on the cob.
Place the florets in a single layer in a microwave-safe dish, with the thickest part of the florets facing the outside of the dish. Cook for two and a half minutes, covered.
Place the beans in a dish that can hold them two to three deep. Cover and cook for two and a half minutes after adding two tablespoons of water.
Chop and place your carrots in a microwave-safe dish with a couple of tablespoons of water. Microwave on high for three minutes, covered with a microwave-safe lid. Check for completion. Continue cooking in 30-second intervals if the carrots are still crunchy. Then, once tender, drain.
Rinse the leaves in a colander and place them in a zip-lock bag while they’re still wet. Cook for one and a half minutes after sealing the bag.
To prepare asparagus, place the spears in a zip-lock bag with a teaspoon of water. Cook for one and a half minutes after sealing the bag.
So far, all of our instructions have been for microwaving fresh vegetables. But what about frozen vegetables? They can also be easily and quickly cooked to perfection in the microwave. You just have to adjust the cooking times slightly. Place the frozen vegetables in a microwave safe container with a lid, then sprinkle over some water—just a couple of teaspoons as otherwise your vegetables could come out soggy.
Place in the microwave on high and cook for 3 minutes, and then test the doneness. Microwave in further 30-second increments until the vegetables are tender, and then drain and serve.
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