Basic rules to know what to cook and what not to cook in the microwave

Currently, the microwave is one of the appliances that cannot be missing in any kitchen, although it was only in 1870 that it began to be part of them. With an electric operation, the oven has different uses and certain rules for its use.The heating process in one of these appliances is simple: when you press start, microwaves begin to bounce around the cavity and thus infiltrate excited electromagnetic molecules into any food product you are cooking to heat it.The microwave is a very practical tool, where you only need to put in your food, set the time, and press a start button to heat it, but you can also fully cook food.Besides precautions that you may have already heard, such as not being able to put certain materials, for example, aluminum foil or plastic containers not suitable for microwaves, when it comes to food itself, what can you safely cook in the microwave?In general, you can heat in the microwave any of the food groups, such as chicken, eggs, vegetables; however, when cooking something, the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends stirring or flipping the food halfway through its cooking time, covering it with microwave-safe material, and using a food thermometer to ensure that the heat is distributed evenly.These tips ensure that any harmful bacteria are completely destroyed, thus protecting you from foodborne illnesses caused by harmful pathogens, such as salmonella.Check here for some tricks with your microwave.You should also consider that different food groups have different safety standards for cooking, and here we tell you which foods you can and cannot put in the microwave.VegetablesVegetables are one of the best foods to cook in the microwave because they are generally tender or have a high moisture content. Although research is mixed, for the most part it was found that microwaving preserves nutrients quite well, apart from some cases where water is added.The recommendation is to use glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics labeled for microwave use and to avoid putting grapes or raw carrots in, as they have been found to sometimes spark.Click here and put these recommendations into practice by preparing broccoli in the microwave PoultryYou can fully cook chicken in the microwave, although there are some things to keep in mind. The first is to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed by flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. The recommendation is to cook all poultry without stuffing to a safe temperature of 73 °C. Additionally, it is best to avoid cooking whole, stuffed items in the microwave, as the stuffing may not reach a high enough internal temperature to destroy bacteria.EggsIt is very practical, and you can cook eggs in the microwave with or without the shell, but research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology revealed that eggs cooked in the microwave in their shells can explode and have even caused eye injuries as a result.MeatAlthough it may seem strange, you can cook beef roasts and steaks thoroughly in the microwave. To cook it, the USDA recommends doing so at medium or medium-high power, and allowing the meat to cool for three minutes before handling it. If you have a roast, pre-cook it in a covered pot before cooking it in the microwave.Whether you are going to cook or just heat your food in the microwave, do not forget the basic rules: use appropriate containers and remember to stir or flip your food halfway through cooking.Microwave recipes for you:Gratin PotatoesMicrowave FlanNutella Mug Cake