How to microwave vegetables

How to cook vegetables in the microwave .

It could be called the unlikely ally. That one, which has a deafening beep until you open the door for him.

That one, which does much more than heat your coffee. The microwave can do much more for you than you think. And today, we show you the power of the microwave with vegetables.

Vegetables to the sound of the beep

In addition to saving you a lot of time, the advantages of the microwave when cooking your vegetables are multiple.

In a few minutes, your food will be ready, preserving its natural flavor and with good texture. In addition, you will have used so few pots that you will wave when it is time to wash the dishes.

Impossible easier

It is like that and there is no way around it. Well, the easier it would be to eat them raw. But I can’t imagine eating a sweet potato in brine. No.

Jokes aside, if you were looking for a way to quickly incorporate vegetables into your dishes or if you are just starting out in the wonderful world of cooking, preparing your vegetables in the microwave will change the way you eat, at least vegetables.

You no longer have an excuse to keep asking for delivery when you don’t feel like cooking. You will do it faster making your vegetables in the microwave and, most surely, it is that your dinner is much more nutritious and tasty.

What do you need to cook your vegetables in the microwave?

Obviously the microwave and vegetables. They can be the ones that have been brought to you from town, the ones that have just arrived from the garden or the frozen ones that it is always advisable to have at home for these cases of I want to eat and I don’t know what.

Also a bowl with a lid or have plastic wrap on hand (and not even that, because later I will tell you some tricks).

Let the microwave take care of the vegetables while you cook other foods, such as rice or baked meat or fish. You will save a lot of time and you will have a complete and balanced plate.

Microwave Cooking Techniques

Steamed vegetables

One of the most practical ways and where, right away, you will see the virtues of the microwave. For example, taking advantage of the washing water. So, before cooking, let’s wash!

What if your carrots were done in just 2.30 minutes?

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, cut about 200 grams into pieces, place them in a container with a lid (make sure it is microwaveable, of course) so that the steam does not escape and hit the button. If they are not to your liking, you can give them more time.

To give you an idea, almost all solid or leafy vegetables will be ready in 4-8 minutes. Of course it will depend on the power of your oven, the size and quantity of the vegetables you cook at a time. If they have not been as you want, go adding 1 minute at a time until they are as you want.

Of course, yuccas, micro potatoes, sweet potatoes, chard trunks, even beets in medium to large pieces, need at least 6 minutes. And then, a minute to get the point you are looking for.

Speaking of times, each microwave has its temperature and power. I mean, test yours and see how it’s cooking.

Every time you open the lid of the container, be careful not to burn yourself, the steam will still be there. While you’re at it, stir your vegetables so that the cooking is even.

And since the heat will take you inside, if you do not consume them at that time, it will be better if you go through cold water or with ice, to cut the cooking.

Choose the right container

Of course, no metal in the microwave. With this in mind, you only need to buy a pot that is suitable to withstand the mic waves.

• The ideal are those that come with a lid (also suitable for microwaves), so the closure is very hermetic. Otherwise, it will be enough to use plastic wrap covering the entire upper part as a cover. Of course, be careful when you stir your food, the steam is trapped there. Do not burn yourself.
• There are many brands of silicone containers that are suitable for steaming vegetables in the microwave, I have some of the Lekue brand, be it Space Home or MovilCom. Otherwise, you can choose a glass bowl or the legendary Pyrex and use plastic wrap to hermetically cover your vegetables.
• There are also some special hermetic bags that allow you to steam in the microwave.
• By the way, if you do not want to use a lid or have no way to do it, add a little water to your vegetables so that it can generate steam.

Do you want any more ideas?

If you want to make some lead-free potatoes or sweet potatoes, wash them, pinch them several times and thus, as is, in the microwave. Between 6 and 9 minutes it will take you to have them ready.

Of course, the more potatoes you place or the larger the piece, the longer you will need to make it ready. In any case, you set the minimum time and then check if they are the way you want.

Once they are to your liking, open them in the middle and with a little salt and EVOO you will have a companion idea for any meat or fish. From there, imagination reigns and you can play with pepper or rosemary. Also butter or cheese to melt with the heat of your potato or sweet potato.

Cooking time for half-kilo portions

• Pumpkins, spinach, zucchini, and cauliflower will be on point in 3-5 minutes
• The hearts of artichokes, parsnips and peas will be ready in about 5-7 minutes
• The ones that take the longest are whole carrots: between 8 and 10 minutes
• Microwaves are the ideal solution if you are going to make small amounts. But if they are a lot at the table), cabbage or cabbage (10-12 minutes), beets (14-18 minutes), it is best to do things in batches.

As a general rule, oil, vinegar or lemon always come after cooking. But there are exceptions.

Potato omelette in turbo mode

1. To speed up that omelette that you crave, peel and cut the potatoes as you would for the pan.
2. Put them in a container, add a little oil and salt, make sure that they are all seasoned, cover and 4 minutes at full power will be enough to have them ready.
3. The crispy touch will give it a couple of turns in the pan.

For the micro’s eggs

That here nobody is saved from an egg to the bus.

How to do it?

1. Paint a plastic wrap with EVOO, crack an egg, cover it with more plastic wrap. In 45 seconds it will be ready.
2. What do you like more curdled, like poached ? Cook 1 minute.
3. For hard-boiled eggs , 1:15.
4. And if what you are looking for is a fried egg , in a small bowl put a splash of oil, break the egg and leave it uncovered. In 45 seconds you will have it ready.

You can also make a vegetable chip in the microwave

1. Try placing an oven paper in the microwave dish. Then use bandolin or potato peeler to cut thin slices of potatoes, beets, or sweet potatoes.
2. Paint them with extra virgin olive oil, season your vegetables with a little salt and you can get creative adding some aromatic species, for example rosemary.
3. Lay them on the paper, but don’t stack them. Give them a little space. Put your microwave on full power for about 4 minutes.
4. If you see that they are already golden, turn them over and put them on for one more minute.

And how are they? They are a good way to have natural chips suitable for vegans, vegetarians and those with certain intolerances . From here, you can peck the chips like this, without more or use them as a dip for some sauce.

Depending on the size of the microwave you’ll be cooking one medium potato at a time, so as a treat for one person, that’s fine. If you are looking to make chips for the whole family, use the conventional oven.

It is important that the sheets are finite. If you cut slices of about 4 mm, the result will be quite hard chips.

What recipes are great for your vegetables in the microwave

We have already mentioned the potato omelette, to which you can also incorporate other vegetables. Here for inspiration, this omelette with vegetables .

You can also approve hummus you have or some cheese to melt over your steamed vegetables.

Baby food jars and vegetable purees could be ready next to nothing.

Of course, you can eat them only seasoned with oil, salt, a touch of pepper and you can enhance its flavor with a little vinegar or a few drops of lemon juice. Even some sauce.

Of course, it is convenient that you dress your vegetables after having finished cooking in the microwave. If you season them before, it is possible that the dressing or sauce will not taste good in the micro.

And if you already feel like a stovetop champion, maybe you can put your new microwave skills to work by making your own version of these vegetable croquettes .

Or these crepes . stuffed with vegetables, where the filling will be in a pleated dish in your microwave.

Maybe your new discovery will lead you to make a quick version of this vegetable curry couscous

Even your vegetables in the microwave can accompany another of the very easy recipes, the sea ​​bream with salt .