Revolving Oven

Revolving Oven

Versatile Uses for Microwaves to Get Great Meals

Microwave ovens can be a bit of a hit or miss when it comes to food preparation, some people are fine with the food that gets cooked or reheated in a microwave whereas others claim they don't cook food properly and can significantly reduce the variety of textures and flavours from their meals. The microwave oven is still a worthwhile addition to our kitchens and can really help speed up some cookery tasks.

Ignoring the stodgy mess that microwave meals are there are still some food items that can be made in the microwave and still be tasty such as heating sauces, if you have stored sauces in tins or containers and need to get them piping hot in a hurry then you ideally don't want to wait for the stove to get up to heat and wait for the food to boil. With a microwave you can heat most sauces to their optimum temperature in under a minute; the same can apply for baked beans too for pouring on toast or a jacket potato for a quick snack.

A similar technique can be used to make poached eggs, and contrary to most other microwave foods can be a healthier option compared to fried eggs too. All you need is some water and a bowl and whilst stirring some water crack an egg and pour it into the revolving water. Cover the bowl and place in the microwave for around a minute and you have a great healthy way to cook eggs in the microwave.

A common use for most microwaves is to reheat food that has already been cooked; results can vary when trying this as previously mentioned microwave ovens tend to affect the texture of most foods, especially crispy elements. Some food though can be heated safely and with little detriment to the texture such as reheating rice dishes or pasta sauces.

For rice or pasta the dish will need to have some water sprinkled on to make sure that the rice doesn't dry out when the microwave is on. It only requires a few teaspoons but it helps to keep the rice tender and fluffy.

So there are plenty of ways a microwave oven could help you cook your food but not actually ruin the textures or flavours of your meals. When used correctly you could even use a microwave to help keep food warm if you have a lot of food being cooked at once for larger meals you may be cooking for larger groups.

Look online for the best microwave oven deals as well as conventional on electric and gas cookers if you are looking for new cooking appliances for your home.

About the Author

How to eat healthy as a 16 year-old American?

I know this sounds like a stupid question but how does one eat healthy? Before you answer that question, take a look at my situation. I live in a situation that most Americans are in. Both my parents work and are very rarely at home to cook. So my diet revolves around what I can make for myself. Basically my mom buys me stuff that is easy to make. So my diet mostly consists of processed food like oven-pizzas, hot pockets, top ramen, microwave burritos, etc.

But I want to start eating more healthy. So what are things I can ask my mom to buy me next time she's at the grocery store? What are healthy snacks and meals I can make myself relatively easily(mind you I'm a 16 year old male, I can't cook well) ? I would appreciate any good advice. Thanks in advance

here is the list of foods, separated into 3 categories:
- good sources of protein
- good sources of carbs
- good sources of fat

Good Sources Of Protein

Chicken (without skin)
Turkey (without skin)
Lean cuts of beef
Lean cuts of pork
Lean cuts of lamb
Lean cuts of veal
Eggs
Egg whites
Tuna fish
Salmon
Shrimp
Lobster
Flounder
Sardines
Snapper
Swordfish
Trout
Crab
Clams
Scallops
Milk (2% or skim)
Cottage cheese (low fat/non fat)
Yogurt (low fat/non fat)
Tofu
Black beans
Garbanzo beans (aka chick peas)
Kidney beans
Lentils
Lima beans
Navy beans
Pinto beans
Miso
Soybeans
Peanuts
Almonds
Cashews
Hazelnuts
Pecans
Pistachio nuts
Natural peanut butter
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Protein powder, protein shakes and protein bars

Good Sources Of Carbs
Brown Rice
100% whole wheat bread
100% whole wheat bagels
100% whole wheat pita bread
Whole wheat/whole grain pasta
Sweet potatoes
Yams
Oatmeal
Buckwheat
Bulgur
Bran cereals
Garbanzo beans (aka chick peas)
Kidney beans
Black beans
Lentils
Navy beans
Pinto beans
Lima Beans

(Fruits And Vegetables)
Apple
Orange
Plum
Banana
Grapes
Strawberries
Peaches
Pears
Cantaloupe
Pineapple
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Asparagus
Spinach
Lettuce
Romaine lettuce
Avocado
Cucumber
Eggplant
Tomato
Cauliflower
Celery
Turnip
Bok choy
Mushrooms
Peppers
Green peas

Good Sources Of Fat
Salmon
Mackerel
Herring
Anchovies
Sardines
Scallops
Halibut
Fish oil supplements (I use this brand)
Peanuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Cashews
Natural peanut butter
Olive oil (extra-virgin)
Flax seeds
Flax seed oil
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds