6 WAYS TO USE YOUR MICROWAVE

By ClaudiaJan

Ingredients

• Caramel Corn: Combine 1 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons butter and a pinch cinnamon in 2-cup
• plate. Microwave uncovered on High 3 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and just begins to turn amber-colored. Drizzle onto 6 cups popped popcorn in bowl and toss to coat. Cool 20 minutes.
• Egg-stra Easy: For quick egg salad, break 1 large egg into custard cup. Puncture yolk with a knife. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave on Medium (50% power) 2 minutes. Chop and use in your favorite egg-salad recipe.
• Make It Butter: In 4-ounce custard cup, combine
• 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 1A teaspoon
• dried. Cover and microwave on High 30 to 40
• seconds, until butter is melted. Serve as a dip for
• artichokes or fish.
• Going Nuts: To toast nuts, cover bottom of microwave with wax paper. Spread with 1A cup chopped nuts. Microwave uncovered on High 5 minutes or until lightly browned.

Preparation

Step 1

Pie-Perfect Pumpkin: Peel 1 pound pumpkin and cut into 1-inch chunks. Toss into glass pie plate with 2 tablespoons water. Cover with inverted pie plate and microwave on High about 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Puree in food processor. Use in your favorite pumpkin-pie recipe. Makes 1 2/3 cups.


Ruby-Red Sauce:
Combine 1 bag (12 oz.) fresh cranberries, 2 pears, chopped, 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons pear schnapps in 2-quart casserole with lid. Cover and microwave on High about 6 minutes, until berries pop. Serve with meat or poultry. Makes 4 cups.


Slim-Down Chili:
Slash the fat in your favorite chili recipe by microwaving the meat first. Place 1 pound ground beef, pork or turkey in glass pie plate. Cover with inverted pie PLATE. Microwave on High about 6 minutes, stirring once, until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat and pat meat with paper towels. Let stand 4 minutes.


Dried-Herb Garden: To dry fresh herbs, line bottom of microwave with wax paper and sprinkle with herbs (1cup mint or basil leaves, or 12 sprigs oregano, thyme or tarragon, or 3 branches rosemary). Microwave uncovered on High 2 to 21/a minutes (4 minutes for rosemary), until dry to the touch. Store in covered jar up to 6 months.