I just made amazing rice in the microwave. What other easy brilliant cooking things can I do?

[everybodysang]

I am rubbish at making rice. I always burn it or it just doesn't turn out right. DH, however, is brilliant at it, so he always does it.

However, he's away tonight and I fancied rice. So I decided to look online and see if you can microwave it. Which you can. And it was gorgeous - fluffy and perfect. Here is the recipe (this serves 4):

250g basmati rice
600ml boiling water

1. Put Basmati rice in a large heatproof serving dish with boiling water (I put a chicken stock cube in the water as DH uses stock. He also uses turmeric but I didn't do that, I will next time).
   
2. Cover with cling film and pierce several times. Cook on high (900W) for 6 minutes, then medium (500W) for 8 minutes.
   
3. Leave for a few minutes to stand, then remove the cling film to serve.
   

It was really, really good.

So, what cooking tricks do you know?

[garlicbaubles]

I was impressed, but am dairy free so it mainly made me sad ...

[Billybubbles]

Ok everyone I think you need to have a look at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1634510-Whats-your-Top-Tip

[happybubblebrain]

I've just discovered rice in the microwave too, I've been eating it a lot more lately.

Scrambled eggs are good in the microwave.
So is melting chocolate - I can't believe I used to waste time with bowls in boiling water. The microwave works much better.

[headfairy]

everybodysang yes, I think you need to report it to get it moved in to food.

I can't wait to try the rice trick, ds has finally decided he likes rice and it means he doesn't have pasta every day!

[everybodysang]

I've reported it so we shall see what happens...

I'm also making soup at the moment, I always forget how easy it is till I do it. Anyone got any nice easy soup recipes they'd like to share?

[everybodysang]

I am definitely trying the bechamel asap too, and the meringues.

[TheBoyandTheButton]

Merangues? Bloody fantastic

[TwoFacedCows]

what is the meringue recipe?

[IceTheChristmasKateMumsnet]

Hullo all,

We'll be moving this to food in a mo

[juniperdewdrop]

Happy first thread in food everybodysang

[fivecandles]

Omelette in microwave. Much better.

[everybodysang]

why thank you juniper I feel...moved.

I had forgotten you could do omelette in the microwave, I used to have a great little gadget thing I used to do it. How do you do it 'normally'?

[garlicbaubles]

MICROWAVE OMELETS
3 eggs
2 tbsp. water
1 tbsp. butter
Choice of filling (cheese, onions, green peppers, olives, bacon, ham or whatever)
Salt and pepper
Whisk 3 eggs and 2 tablespoons water together. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 9-inch glass pie dish in the microwave for 45 seconds. Pour eggs in dish, cover (another 9-inch pie dish works great), then microwave 1 1/2 minutes. Then turn over by flipping into the other pie plate. Place filling of your choice on half of omelet; fold and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.

Lots of similar versions.

I scramble eggs: A dollop of oil, two dollops of water, 2 eggs, salt & pepper, mash in bowl with fork. Nuke 30 secs, mash again, nuke again.

If you whisk the eggs it forms a pleasing sort of eggy cake. If you whisk them properly and cover the bowl, it puffs right up :)

[lolalotta]

If you want to make a crumble topping, MELT the butter and stir it into dry ingredients...works a treat and is faster and less messy than rubbing in the butter!!!

[lolalotta]

I want to try the microwave rice but my microwave is only 750 watts????

[garlicbaubles]

Ah, yes, lola, I make shortbread the melted way too. It's a tiny bit less good than the traditional method but a hell of a lot quicker and very easy to clean up!

Melt sugar into butter in pan over lowish heat. Add remaining dry ingredients, keep stirring. Mixture forms a convenient ball, comes away from sides of pan. Needs less baking as ingredients already part-cooked :)

Just nuke your rice a bit longer.

[everybodysang]

lola I just looked and my microwave is only 800W. So I'm sure it will be fine!

I love shortbread. I just ate a whole big packet we got for Christmas. Time to try making it this way...just to see if it works, you understand...

[Huffpot]

Fantastic ideas!

[StickEmWithThePointyEnd]

That rice recipe is so usefl thanks!