A microwave can make your day much easier

Press, 2 July 1985, Page 25

A microwave can make your day much easier

A microwave oven can make your day much easier. This week, we look at two really good-value models. The Philips 5230 E, at 5899, is one I have not written about before, but it is loaded with fine features: very good size, super wattage of 650 on full power, a turntable, automatic start (to begin cooking when you are not there), a memory (for frequently used cooking sequences), and two-stage cooking levels, which all add up to very efficient microwave use.

The outside appearance of the Philips 5230 E is attractive and it fits very nicely into both modern and more traditional kitchen surrounds.

Call into your nearest Lane’s store and ask to have a run through, or give me a call and I will bring one out and show you in your own home. The Midsize National Simple Touch microwave is also loaded with many features: 600 watts on full power, neatly sized, turntable, and automatic start.

Special Simple Touch features are the Auto Defrost for meat and fish, and Auto Cook for meat, both by weight. This little beauty is available for ?949 at Lane’s. I imagine you have often looked at electric knives and wished you had one for cutting fresh Sunday bread, or slicing meats or cakes. This week at Lane’s, you can treat yourself to a Goldair electric knife for only 539.95 (normally 559.95). This week’s recipes are very simple but demonstrate how a microwave can feature during a day of cooking. BREAKFAST PORRIDGE (SERVE 1) % cup cereal Salt (optional) % cup water (or milk and water) Mix all together in bowl to be eaten from. Microwave full power 3-4 minutes, stirring once. Stand 30 seconds. Serve.

HOT FRUIT (SERVE 1) Fruit of choice (kiwifruit, apple, banana, pear, etc.) Prepare fruit and place in dish to be eaten from. Sugar is not necessary. Microwave full power until only steamy. Top with muesli, yoghurt, etc. LUNCH CHEESY SNACK 1 small onion Little chopped celery (tomato, gherkin) 1 tbsp butter 2 cups bread crumbs Ms cup milk 2 tbsp tomato sauce 2 eggs 1 cup grated cheese Seasoning Chop vegetables and cook in four-cup dish with butter for IVz minutes on full power. Mix in breadcrumbs, milk sauce, egg yolks, cheese and seasoning. Beat whites until stiff and fold in. Place neatly in dish. Microwave on 50 per cent power for 8 minutes, and then on full power for 2-4 minutes to set nicely. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Nice with bacon.

MAIN MEAL CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH DUMPLINGS I.skg chicken pieces Celery Carrot Onion Bouquet garni Pepper 2 cups chicken stock (hot) Little cornflour Place all in casserole. Cover and cook for 7 minutes on full power, and then 40-45 minutes on medium or until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove garni and thicken nicely with cornflour. Stir a couple of times. Make dumplings: P/z cups Diamond selfraising flour % tsp salt •A tsp mixed herbs or chopped parsley Parsley 1 tbsp melted butter cup milk Mix all together. Place small spoonfuls on the hot chicken. Cover and cook full power for 6 minutes or until dumplings are risen or puffy. KIWIFRUIT RING

IVz cups Diamond selfraising flour

’/< tsp salt 50g butter Milk 4-6 kiwifruit peeled I tbsp sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp orange juice Some orange rind ’A cup brown sugar Rub butter into flour and salt.

Mix to soft dough with milk. Roll out and cut into four to six pieces. Roll around kiwifruit. Mix cinnamon and sugar, and dip balls into this. Place around ring container.

Mix butter, orange juice, rind and sugar, and microwave on full power for 1 minute.

Pour over ring. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon mix.

Cover with paper towel and microwave for 3-4 Vz minutes.

Serve with micro-made custard. NOTE: Number of balls depends on size of kiwifruit. I do not suggest that this is an ideal menu, but it is designed to show how a microwave can make your day.