Microwave Rescues You Can’t Be Without!
4th November 2006
Check out this handy chart for convenient and fast solutions. Use microwavable utensils only.
| Food, Utensil and Tips | Power Level | Amount | Time | |
| Bacon, thinly sliced (cook) Plate or bacon rack lined with paper towels. Cover with paper towel and place between layers. Microwave until crisp. |
High (100%) | 1 to 8 slices | 30 to 45 sec each | |
| Brown Sugar, hard (soften) Bowl covered with damp paper towel then plastic wrap. Repeat heating once or twice. |
High (100%) | 1 to 3 cups | 1 min; let stand 2 min until softened |
|
| Butter or Margarine (melt) Remove foil wrapper. Bowl or measuring cup; covered. |
High (100%) | 1 to 8 Tbsp
1/2 to 1 cup |
30 to 50 sec
60 to 75 sec |
|
| Butter or Margarine (soften) Remove foil wrapper. Bowl or measuring cup; uncovered. |
High (100%) | 1 to 8 Tbsp
1/2 to 1 cup |
10 to 20 sec
15 to 30 sec |
|
| Caramels (melt) 4-cup measuring cup; uncovered |
High (100%) | 14-oz bag caramels mixed with 2 to 4 Tbsp milk or water | 2 to 3 min; stir once or twice |
|
| Chocolate, unsweetened or sweetened baking (melt)
Unwrapped squares in bowl or measuring cup. |
Medium (50%) | 1 to 3 oz | 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 min | |
| Chocolate Chips (melt) Bowl or measuring cup; uncovered. Chips will not change shape. |
Medium (50%) | 1/2 to 1 cup | 2 to 3 min | |
| Coconut (toast) 2-cup measuring cup or pie plate, uncovered. Stir every 30 sec. |
High (100%) | 1/4 to 1/2 cup
1 cup |
1 1/2 to 2 min
2 to 3 min |
|
| Cream Cheese (soften) Remove foil wrapper or cover. Bowl or leave in plastic tub; uncovered. |
Medium (50%) | 3-oz pkg
8-oz pkg 8-oz tub |
45 to 60 sec
1 to 1 1/2 min 45 to 60 sec |
|
| Dried Fruit (soften) 2-cup measuring cup; add 1/2 tsp water for each 1/2 cup fruit. Cover with plastic wrap, folding back one edge or corner 1/4-inch to vent steam. |
High (100%) | 1/4 to 1/2 cup
1/2 to 1 cup |
30 to 45 sec
45 to 60 sec; |
|
| Fruit, frozen (thaw) Leave in plastic bag or pouch or transfer to bowl; thaw until most of ice is gone. |
Medium (50%) | 16-oz bag | 3 to 5 min; stir or rearrange twice. |
|
| Fruit, refrigerated (warm) Place in microwave, on napkin or paper towel if desired. |
High (100%) | 1 medium
2 medium |
15 sec
20 to 30 sec; |
|
| Honey (dissolve crystals) Jar with lid removed; uncovered. |
High (100%) | 1/2 to 1 cup | 45 sec to 1 1/2 min; stir every 20 to 30 sec or until crystals dissolve |
|
| Ice Cream (soften) Original container; remove any foil. |
Low (10%) | 1/2 gallon | 2 to 3 min; let stand 2 to 3 min |
|
| Muffins or Rolls (heat) (small to medium) Plate, napkin or napkin-lined basket; uncovered. |
High (100%) | 1 to 4 | 5 to 10 sec each | |
| Muffins or Rolls (heat) (large to jumbo) Plate, napkin or napkin-lined basket; uncovered. |
High (100%) | 1 to 4 | 10 to 20 sec each | |
| Nuts, chopped (toast) Measuring cup, uncovered; add 1/4 tsp vegetable oil for each 1/4 cup nuts. Stir every 30 sec until light brown. |
High (100%) | 1/4 to 1/2 cup
1/2 to 1 cup |
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 min
3 to 4 min |
|
| Snacks (crisp) (popcorn, pretzels, corn chips or potato chips) Paper towel-lined basket; uncovered |
High (100%) | 2 cups
4 cups |
20 to 40 sec
40 to 60 sec |
|
| Syrup (heat) Measuring cup or pitcher; uncovered. Stir every 30 sec. |
High (100%) | 1/2 cup
1 cup |
30 to 45 sec
45 to 60 sec |
|
| Water (boil) Measuring cup; uncovered. Stir after half the time to avoid overheating. |
High (100%) | 1 cup | 2 to 3 min | |
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