Everyone knows that microwave ovens are a great way to save time in the kitchen, but there are some things that you should definitely not put in there for different reasons. Here are six items that are no-nos when it comes to microwaves and the way to get better results.
- Casseroles– are better to be reheated in a conventional oven. Add a bit of water, cover in foil so the food won’t dry out and bake at 325 degrees F until the middle of the casserole gets to the 325.
- Fried Chicken– you can’t get the crispy back in the chicken in a microwave. Instead, put the chicken on a pan and cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes or until crispy.
- Pizza– it may be tempting to just dump a couple of cold slices in the microwave, but you get much better results by baking in an oven at 375 degrees F. Or, alternatively put a couple of slices in a dry skillet, make a tent with foil and heat on medium until the crust is crispy.
- Pasta– it’s better to use a saucepan over medium heat it you are reheating a tomato-based sauce or use a pot of boiling water to reheat unsauced noodles instead of getting a sticky mess in the microwave.
- Steak– better to slice the steak in thin slices and stick them in a saucepan with some oil until the steak is at the desired temperature than use the microwave oven.
- French Fries– this is a tough one - fries are very difficult to reheat and maintain their original flavor and consistency and the microwave won’t get the job done. Try using a non-stick saucepan with some oil, brown them until crispy, and use a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
Even though the microwave may seem like a great shortcut, you are better off using the extra effort for these 6 food items.
Source:Food Network