Cooking Tip - Thawing Vegetables

The microwave oven is ideal for thawing frozen vegetables. If you are only using a small quantity, place required amount in a microwave safe bowl and thaw, covered, using defrost setting.

Apple Oat Crumble

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

4 large apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 tablespoon cornflour
Rind 1 lemon
Crumble Topping:
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons ground almonds
4 egg whites
2 tablespoons sugar
Cinnamon

Microwave Method:

1. Place apples into a 8 inch (20 cm) flan dish. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes on HIGH.
2. Combine apple juice, cornflour and lemon rind. Cook for 2-3 minutes on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour over apples.
3. Combine rolled oats and almonds together. Cook for 4-5 minutes on HIGH, stirring every minute.
4. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating well.
5. Fold through mixture.
6. Spread over apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
7. Cook for 2-3 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH.
8. Serve hot with low-fat yogurt.

Convection Microwave Method:

1. Place apples into a 8 inch (20 cm) flan dish. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes on HIGH.
2. Combine apple juice, cornflour and lemon rind. Cook for 2-3 minutes on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour over apples.
3. Combine rolled oats and almonds together. Cook for 4-5 minutes on HIGH, stirring every minute.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
5. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating well.
6. Fold through oat mixture.
7. Spread over apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
8. Place on Low Rack, bake for 12-14 minutes on LOW MIX/BAKE.
9. Serve hot with low-fat yogurt.

1 serve = 4 g fat, no saturated fat.

Strawberry and Apple Jam

Ingredients:

1 pound (500 g) strawberries
2 apples, peeled and grated
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pectin

Microwave Method:

1. Wash, hull and slice strawberries.
2. Place strawberries, apples and lemon juice into a 3-4 quart (litre) bowl.
3. Cook for 4-6 minutes on HIGH.
4. Stir in honey and sugar. Cook for 18-20 minutes on HIGH, stirring every 5-6 minutes.
5. Sprinkle pectin evenly over top of jam. Stir into jam.
6. Cook for 7-9 minutes on HIGH.
7. Pour into hot sterilized jars. Seal and label.

This recipe contains no fat.

Recipe Collections Index

Here is an alphabetical listing of the collections of microwave and convection microwave recipes you will find on this blog.

Breads and Pastries
The advantages of convection microwave cookery are boundless, and particularly welcome to modern cooks who love old-fashioned foods but can't cope with time-consuming methods. Now you can bake breads, buns, tarts, pies and pastries ..... MORE

Cakes, Cookies and Slices
Busy people today have less time for cooking but still crave the flavors and textures of old-fashioned cakes, cookies and other Baking Day delights. However, with modern microwave methods, these nostalgic favorites can be produced in ..... MORE

Chicken, Turkey and Duck
Chicken, turkey and duck are among the most popular meats for family meals and dinner parties. Microwave cooking produces tender, succulent poultry and these recipes cover a wide spectrum of imaginative ideas for chicken, turkey and ..... MORE

Cooking for Two
Many households in the world today consist of just two people, but most recipe books and magazines cater for cooking serving sizes of four or more. Many people feel unsure about adjusting the recipes to suit their particular needs, and so ..... MORE

Creative Casseroles
The casserole is a very versatile dish that you can really be creative with. The combinations of meat, vegetables, herbs and spices are almost endless. Casseroles are also good for stretching your food dollar further. The slow cooking means that you ..... MORE

Delicious Desserts
With a microwave or convection microwave oven at hand you can now produce a luscious dessert in minutes! If guests arrive unexpectedly or the family suddenly requests a favorite sweet for dinner at the last minute, it is no trouble at all. Fruity or ..... MORE

Entertaining
One of the greatest pleasures in life is to sit around a table with family and friends enjoying a delightful meal, because good food and good company are perfect partners. The recipes in this entertaining section are for entrees, main courses and desserts ..... MORE

Fish and Seafood
Cooking fish and shellfish, fresh or canned, in a microwave oven opens up a whole new prospect of seafood cuisine. Apart from the speed with which you can bring any of these deliciously fishy dishes from kitchen to table, you will discover how their fresh ..... MORE

Ground Beef
In these hard economic times, we are all looking for ways to stretch the family food budget and using ground beef is one of the best ways to achieve this. Ground beef is such a versatile food and can be used in a wide range of cuisines from Italian to Thai. Using these ..... MORE

Healthy and Nutritious
If you think that eating a healthy nutritious diet means lots of boring, tasteless meals, then think again. Fresh, crisp fruit and vegetables, delicious breads and pasta, succulent lean meat and seafood - these are the makings of not only delicious meals, but ..... MORE

International
Where food is concerned, people in most developed nations can now claim to be living in the 'Lucky Country' because of the wide variety of cuisines from which they can choose. Their shops are full of wonderful ingredients such as continental cheeses and ..... MORE

Low Cholesterol
Nutritionists say that we should be reducing the amount of cholesterol in our diet, but many people feel that this leads to dull, tasteless food. These recipes prove that you can enjoy great-tasting meals that are also low in ..... MORE

Meat
Fast defrosting and rapid cooking are only two of the advantages of your microwave oven. Meats and main dishes respond particularly well, by remaining juicy and retaining their flavors and textures. Roasts, casseroles and less-tender cuts are ..... MORE

Quick and Easy Meals
No time to cook family meals? With these recipes you have. They are so quick and easy, you will have plenty of time to prepare them, even on your busiest days. I have also included some teatime or after-school treats such as gingerbread and ..... MORE

Rice and Pasta
Rice and pasta are two of the most versatile ingredients you can have in your pantry or store cupboard. Used as an accompaniment or as a main meal, you can combine them with a wide variety of foods such as fresh vegetables, meats, seafood or ..... MORE

Soups, Entrees and Appetizers
Take your choice from these exciting, top-of-the-menu ideas for successful entertaining or special family meals. Microwaving makes them effortless events from start to finish. Begin with a flavorsome creamy or clear soup from this collection of ..... MORE

Creamy Stuffed Potatoes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 large washed potatoes (7 ounces/220 g each)
1/4 cup fat-reduced mayonnaise
2 spring onions (shallots), finely chopped
1 teaspoon seeded mustard
Paprika

Microwave Method:

1. Pierce potatoes with a fork on each side.
2. Place on turntable, cook for 5-7 minutes on HIGH, turning over halfway through cooking.
3. Wrap each potato in foil. Allow to stand for 4-5 minutes.
4. Combine mayonnaise, spring onions and mustard.
5. Cut each potato in half, scoop out flesh, leaving a shell. Mix with mayonnaise.
6. Spoon filling back into shells.
7. Sprinkle with paprika.
8. Place on a dinner plate, cook for 2-3 minutes on HIGH.
9. Serve hot as a vegetable accompaniment.

Convection Microwave Method:

1. Place potatoes on turntable, cook for 17-19 minutes on HIGH MIX/ROAST, turning over halfway through cooking.
2. Combine mayonnaise, spring onions and mustard.
3. Cut each potato in half, scoop out flesh, leaving a shell. Mix with mayonnaise.
4. Place potato shell onto Low Rack, cook for 5-7 minutes on HIGH MIX/ROAST (400 degrees F/200 degrees C).
5. Spoon filling back into shells.
6. Sprinkle with paprika.
7. Place on Low Rack, cook for 5-7 minutes on HIGH MIX/ROAST (400 degrees F/200 degrees C).
8. Serve hot as a vegetable accompaniment.

1 serve = 3 g fat, no saturated fat.

Mandarin Sauce

Makes: 3 cups

Ingredients:

6 mandarins, peeled
1/2 cup Cointreau
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup caster sugar
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons cornflour
2 tablespoons water, extra

Microwave Method:

1. Combine mandarins, Cointreau and 1/2 cup water in a 1 quart (litre) bowl.
2. Cover and cook for 7-8 minutes on HIGH.
3. Place into a food processor. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour through a sieve, reserving juice.
5. Combine sugar and vinegar in a Pyrex jug. Cook for 4-6 minutes on HIGH, stirring every minute, until golden brown.
6. Add reserved mandarin juice and remaining water.
7. Combine cornflour and extra water together. Pour into sauce.
8. Cook for 3-5 minutes on HIGH, stirring halfway through cooking.
9. Serve warm over Roast Duck or Roast Chicken.

This recipe contains no fat.

Octopus Salad

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

2 pound (1 kg) octopus
2 cups tomato juice
1/2 cup red wine
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
6 pitted black olives, sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
1 avocado, thickly chopped
8 ounces/250 g/1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
Sauce:
1/4 cup fat-reduced mayonnaise
2 tablespoons tomato ketchup (sauce)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
Freshly cracked black pepper

Microwave Method:

1. Cut heads from octopus. Wash well.
2. Combine octopus, tomato juice, red wine, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce in a Pyrex bowl.
3. Cook, uncovered, for 18-20 minutes on MEDIUM, stirring twice during cooking. Chill for 1-2 hours.
4. Combine octopus, olives, bean sprouts, avocado and cherry tomatoes.
5. Gently fold through sauce.

Sauce:

1. Combine mayonnaise, tomato ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Stir in Tabasco sauce and pepper to taste.

1 serve = 13 g fat, 3 g saturated fat.