Microwave General Tips and Hints

Microwave ovens are not only amazingly quick, they're amazingly versatile. Here are some favorite tips to help you make the most of your oven. (Times given are approximate.)

1. Have fresh coffee all day by brewing a pot, then refrigerating coffee in container. Want coffee? Pour cupful and heat for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. It will taste just perked.
2. Warm baby bottles or jars of baby food. Loosen cap on bottle or remove metal lid from jar; heat about 15 to 20 seconds or until warm.
3. Heat brandy for flaming desserts in a glass measuring cupfor10to15 seconds. Pour over dessert; light.
4. Soften hard ice cream in a few seconds. This will make it easier for you to serve.
5. For better barbecues, microwave-cook chicken pieces until partially done, then finish on grill. They'll be moist, have charcoal flavor.
6. Reheat cold fruit pie for a few seconds for "fresh from the oven" flavor.
7. Dry fresh bread when you need croutons or crumbs. One quart of cubes in a rectangular dish will dry in 6 to 7 minutes. Stir a few times.
8. For warm, damp towels - after eating finger foods - wet washcloths with water/ lemon solution, wring out, fold or roll, heat in wicker basket.
9. In seconds, soften butter, cheese spread, cream cheese to be spreadable.
10. Quick-cook chicken parts you need for salads, sandwiches, main dishes; cook in covered casserole.
11. Reheat leftover cooked waffles, pancakes. Two refrigerated pancakes on a plate heat in about 35 seconds; two waffles in about 25 seconds.
12. Toast almonds in a glass dish with butter, heating them until nuts are lightly browned. Stir occasionally.
13. Dry herbs the fast way in the oven. Place a few sprigs of 1 /2 cup leaves between paper towels and heat for about 2 minutes, until dry and crumbly. Exact timing depends on the herb.
14. To separate slices of cold bacon easily, heat the package for a few seconds.
15. Warm cheese before serving - it's better at room temperature. One ounce will take about 15 seconds; then allow to stand one minute.
16. Reheat leftovers - a microwave oven does it beautifully. Even cold toast warms in seconds.
17. To shell pecans or California walnuts easily and with less breakage, place about 2 cups nuts and 1 cup water in covered glass dish. Heat 1 to 2 minutes.
18. Soften too-dry dried fruit by sprinkling with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of water. Cover; heat for 15 to 30 seconds.
19. To soften hard brown sugar, place in a glass dish, add a slice of white bread or apple wedge; cover. A cup takes 30 to 45 seconds.
20. For warm syrup, heat for 30 to 45 seconds in glass bottle or pitcher (remove the metal cap).
21. Take the chill off refrigerated dog or cat food by heating for a few seconds right in the dish (non-metallic).
22. Warm citrus fruit for a few seconds first. It'll be easier to squeeze andwill give off more juice.
23. Crisp soggy potato chips or pretzels by heating for 15 to 30 seconds. Let stand for two minutes.
24. To mix frozen concentrated fruit juice quickly, remove from can, place in pitcher and heat for 30 to 45 seconds until soft; add water.
25. Quick-dry fresh flowers, to preserve colors. Place in silica gel in a shoe box, heat a few minutes.