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After reading yesterday's New York Times columns about microwaving I started thinking about my cooking style and how I use my appliances. My microwave is quite old now. It was a gift from a friend who lived with us for awhile 21 years ago. I had no real desire to own one, but once I did I tried all kinds of things and managed to blow up a whole bunch of stuff. My husband, sensing disaster, bought me Barbara Kafka's Microwave Gourmet (the first edition!). The inscription reads "To Kelly, have a blow-up time!"
Looking over the book now, I see lots of things that I tried at the time, but ultimately I stopped using the microwave to cook and started using it for the quick things that everyone uses it for like heating up leftovers. It's not an intuitive way of cooking and if you aren't careful your meal can be ruined in seconds. There was too much experimenting that I needed to do and I had a toddler and was pregnant and it just seemed too much like work.Now that there are only two people at home to feed, and we eat so many vegetables and legumes, I'm thinking it may be time to revisit my microwave and give it another chance. I've already admitted to one microwave mistake, but I could just get over that. The real benefit, as with the crock pot, is that the microwave uses significantly less energy than a conventional oven. I imagine that newer microwaves are more efficient than my older model, but it still draws less power than the oven. I'd be really interested in hearing from readers about their microwave use.
I used to make the Basic Risotto from this book when I didn't have the time or energy to stand at the stove for half an hour and make it the traditional way. It's not really risotto, but it's a very tasty rice dish and it's ridiculously easy. My mother-in-law loved it and she still talks about it, but I haven't made it in years. I made the Cabbage Risotto recipe because I had cabbage on hand, but I think I prefer the Basic. If you want to try the cabbage, reduce the onion to 1/3 cup, reduce the stock to 2 3/4 cups, add 1 cup cabbage and 1/4 cup parsley after the first 9 minute cooking.
Bear in mind that my old microwave is only 700 watts, and my cookbook was written for that strength. You may have to adjust your cooking times. The recipe is on the next page.
