Microwave Techniques

Microwaves are not very good for cooking entire recipes, but for preparing ingredients, it is faster and uses less energy than other means. Because a microwave works by heating only the liquid in the oven, it cannot toast or bake. At best, it will make bread and such rubbery. For steaming and melting, though, it is the best.
CAUTION: Never put metal in a microwave. Metal causes the electricity to arc. This is exciting to watch, but can break the oven and be dangerous to the audience. Also, make sure any ceramic is microwave-safe, or it may break.

Ingredient preparation

Melting chocolate
Microwave 4 ounces of chocolate at 50% power for 1:30 minutes. Stir, add any fat needed in your recipe, and microwave at 50% power until fully melted, about 1 minute. Chocolate holds its shape even when fully melted, so stir to check texture.

Defrosting butter
Microwave two sticks of frozen butter at 50% power for 2 minutes. Turn butter over and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. The ends will be melted a bit when the center is soft.

Melting butter
Cut one stick of butter into eight pieces. Put in bowl and cover loosely. Microwave at 50% power until melted, 2:00-2:30 minutes. (4 Tbsp takes 1:30 minutes.) The butter separates cleanly, making it easy to clarify.

Softening brown sugar
Put 1 cup sugar on a plate, cover with a small piece of wax paper, and top with a slice of bread. Cover and microwave at 100% power until softened, about 30 seconds.

Warming eggs
Put cold egg in bowl and microwave at 30% power for 10 seconds. For each additional egg, add 5 seconds.

Warming syrup
Microwave 1/2 cup syrup in pitcher at 100% power until warm, about 30 seconds.

Warming rice
Sprinkle 1 cup cooked rice with 2 tsp water and cover loosely. Microwave at 100% power until hot, about 1:30 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes.

Rising bread
Microwave 2 cups water at 100% power until it boils, about 6 minutes. Place a covered bowl of dough alongside the water. Close microwave door and let stand until dough has doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Simple recipes

Boiled potatoes
Place 2 medium red potatoes in a bowl and loosely cover. Microwave at 100% power until cooked through, about 6 minutes.

Potenta
Combine 1 cup polenta and 3 1/2 cups water in a bowl. Cover and microwave at 100% power for 6 minutes. Stir thoroughly, then microwave at 100% power until cooked, 5-6 minutes longer.

Corn on the cob
Rinse unhusked, unsilked ears under cold water. Microwave at 100% power, 4-6 minutes for two ears and 8-9 minutes for four ears. Let stand in microwave for 3 minutes longer.

Steamed salmon
Put two 8-oz salmon steaks on a dish and loosely cover. Microwave at 100% power for about 3:30 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes.

Steamed clams
Put 8-15 clams, hinge side out, on a dish and loosely cover. Microwave at 100% power until clams open, anywhere from 1:30 to 3:30 minutes, depending on the quantity.