5 tips for microwaving food that everyone should know
Even the best chefs out there need a microwave. When used properly, microwaves can help get dinner on the table quicker and perfectly cooked, plus they’re the best for reheating leftovers. Here’s everything you need to know about microwaving food.
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1. Put a lid on it
The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, covering the food helps the heat the food more evenly, so you don't end up with hot and cold patches. Secondly, if you're heating something with a bit of liquid, the lid will prevent anything from splashing out and making a mess of the microwave. Another way to prevent mess is to place a plate underneath the dish so it can catch anything that spills over.
2. Return fried foods to their former glory
Reheating something that was originally fried is always a contentious issue. Some people say don't bother, while others say it should only be done in the fryer again. But the microwave might be your best bet here. Place the fried item onto a plate lined with paper towel and reheat on high for a couple of minutes, checking it every 30 seconds or so. Once it's hot, leave it to cool for a few minutes, after which the texture should be crisper. Not satisfied with the crunch? Scroll down for an alternative solution.
3. Give the food space
Microwaves (as in the actual waves emitted) tend to work from the outside in, meaning the sides will heat up before the centre does. To cook food evenly, separate the food slightly and spread it out towards the edges of the container so it doesn't overcook in the middle and leave the outer parts raw or cold. Similarly, if you're reheating something like chicken drumsticks, position the meat so the thicker part is facing out and the thinner part is facing in.
4. Reheat in intervals
While some microwaves have specific cooking programmes, it's a good idea to keep an eye on whatever's in there to avoid overcooking or burning it. If you're reheating something, checking it every 30 seconds or so will do the trick. If you're cooking something larger, every minute or so should be fine. Giving the food a stir during these intervals will also help disperse the heat evenly.
5. Clean it properly
If something has ever exploded in your microwave, you'll know how important it is to clean it as quickly as possible to avoid food being "baked" onto the interior. A good tip is to fill a microwave-safe bowl with some water and a lemon (squeeze out some of the juice) or white vinegar and microwave on high for a few minutes until it steams up. Let it cool slightly before removing the water and giving the inside of the microwave a good wipe.
WANT MORE FROM A MICROWAVE?
If all this sounds like too much work, let the LG NeoChef Convection microwave do all the hard work for you. The LG NeoChef is an all-in-one cooking companion that makes even the most daring dishes as easy as one, two, three. With nine amazing functionalities, you can do a whole lot more than just heat your food. It can be used for air-frying, roasting, steaming, slow-cooking, grilling, making yoghurt, baking – and even making biltong!
LG's Smart Inverter technology provides precise cooking power to reheat and defrost a wide range of foods faster than ever. Thanks to precise temperature control, you can cook a variety of dishes that microwaves were previously never able to prepare.
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