Culinary expert Colleen Miner shares ideas for preparing quick, easy microwave snacks.
- Baked potatoes cook a lot faster in a microwave oven than they do in a conventional oven. They also make a healthy snack. A medium-size potato takes approximately five minutes in a microwave on high. Just poke the potato with a fork before placing it in the microwave. After it is done in the microwave, place a towel over it and let it sit for a minute. It will continue to cook a little while longer outside of the microwave. Top the potato with your favorite toppings--cheese, a dollop of sour cream and maybe even some salsa.
- People don't realize the importance of "stand time" when cooking with a microwave. The microwave cooks from the inside out and the rays continue to cook after it turns off. After the cook time is done, even if they're still hard, cover the potatoes because the heat will still be cooking from the inside.
- Assemble graham crackers on a microwave-safe plate topped with chocolate squares and marshmallows. Microwave on high for a few seconds or until the marshmallows are sticky. Top with another graham cracker. Microwave on high again for another few seconds until the s'mores are cooked to perfection.
- Microwave artichokes for a quick snack. Slice the bottom stem of the artichoke so that it will sit up. Cut off the very top of the artichoke and the tops of all the leaves. Rub a lemon over the cut ends and place the artichoke in a microwave-safe casserole dish with two tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave for 10 minutes on high, then let sit covered for another five minutes. Serve with melted butter.
- Cinnamon-sugar apples are another great microwave snack. Core an apple then combine brown sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and raisins. Stuff the cored center with this mixture. Stand the apple upright in a microwave-safe dish and cover. Cook on high for approximately two minutes or until the apple is soft.
- Microwave roma tomatoes for 45 minutes at 30-percent power to make sun-dried tomatoes.
