Our Micro-Cooker® is a game-changer when it comes to making quick, healthy, and easy weeknight meals and side dishes. Specially designed for microwave cooking, these workhorses come in different sizes—1-qt. (1-L), 2-qt. (2-L), and 3-qt (3-L) and are BPA-free. Used together, this set can steam veggies, melt chocolate or butter, poach chicken, cook rice, heat soup, make mashed potatoes, and much more. You can even make a healthy veggie and rice dinner in less than 20 minutes. Celia, from Alabama, says she uses at least one Micro-Cooker® every day: “There’s no boiling over, absolutely one of the best buys I’ve ever made.”
How to Steam Veggies in the Microwave
Steamed veggies are super easy to make with the Micro-Cooker®. Just add a few tablespoons of water for every cup of fresh veggies and cook until they reach the desired doneness. Feel free to use more water than necessary and strain the water when the vegetables are done cooking. If the veggies are frozen, follow the package directions. Buttery Dill Carrots only take six minutes in the Micro-Cooker®. Just add butter, dill, and salt once cooked.
You can quickly cook fresh cauliflower to make the crust for Cauliflower Pizza, a healthy alternative to traditional pizza, that’s low on carbs and packed with nutrients.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave
The 3-qt. (3-L) Micro-Cooker® Plus is perfect for starchy foods because it has a boil-over guard that blocks liquid from boiling over, and then lets the liquid funnel back into the bowl to prevent a mess. It makes excellent Easy Mashed Potatoes that only take 10–12 minutes in the microwave. You could also use the 2-qt. (2-L) Micro-Cooker® for 2 medium-sized russet potatoes.
Once the potatoes are cooked, add salt and milk, and use a hand-held potato masher to get the consistency you want. Then mix in your favorites like butter, garlic, Greek yogurt cheddar cheese, or crumbled bacon.
How to Cook Rice in the Microwave
To cook white rice in the 3-qt. (3-L) Micro-Cooker® Plus or 2-qt. (2-L) Micro-Cooker®, combine 1 cup (250 mL) long-grain rice, 2 cups (500 mL) water, and a ½ teaspoon (2 mL) salt. Microwave on HIGH, covered, for 12–15 minutes, or until cooked. Let the rice stand, covered for 10 minutes, and then fluff it with a fork before serving If your rice already comes with microwave instructions, follow the package directions. Microwaves are all different so start with a shorter cooking time and adjust as needed for your microwave and favorite brand of rice.
To make a quick, healthy, and delicious rice bowl dinner, add some chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro, or your favorite seasonings to your rice. Then make some fresh, steamed vegetables in the 1-qt. (1-L) or 2-qt. (2-L) Micro-Cooker®.
How to Cook Grains in the Microwave
For grains like quinoa, add 1 cup (250 mL) uncooked, rinsed quinoa, and 2 cups (500 mL) water or broth to the in the 3-qt. (3-L) Micro-Cooker®. Microwave on HIGH, covered, for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and fluff with a fork before serving.
How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave
Put the desired amount of pasta in the 3-qt. (3-L) Micro-Cooker® Plus, and add enough water to cover the pasta plus a little more. Microwave for 5 minutes, stir to keep it from sticking together, then cook for 5 more minutes. Once done, add butter, cheese, and/or your favorite sauce.
More Recipes that Use a MicroCooker®:
For the 1-qt. (1-L) Micro-Cooker
For the 2-qt. (2-L) Micro-Cooker
For the 3-qt. (3-L) Micro-Cooker Plus
Which ones do you want to make You can find all these recipes and products at pamperedchef.biz/sharonjacobson
originally published at https://blog.pamperedchef.com/kitchen-tips-tools/microwave-meals-and-sides-in-the-micro-cooker/?pws=sharonjacobson
