Vegetables should always be a part of one’s diet. Children, at a young age, must be introduced to eating veggies. It is how you can get vitamins and minerals the natural way.

However, not everyone has the time to cook veggies. It would take some minutes for veggies to get cooked, especially the hard ones like carrots. So if you are in a hurry to cook vegetables, here is a tip on how to microwave vegetables.

Using the Microwave to Cook the Vegetables

First, make sure that the vegetables which have the same texture like carrots and cauliflower go together. Cooking vegetables that do not have the same texture will make the softer ones get over-cooked. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, and then add some water mixed with baking soda. The baking soda will prevent oxidation from happening, allowing the veggies to retain their color, even when over-cooked.

Cover with a plastic sheet and microwave vegetables for a period of four minutes at the high setting. After four minutes, remove the excess water from the bowl and transfer the vegetables to a nice container. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper, parmesan cheese, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Perfect Combination

Microwave vegetables and pair them with grilled food. If you are going to have a barbecue party, you can serve these vegetables as a side dish. It will be finished cooking in no time at all.

For leftover vegetables, you can still eat them the following day. You can prevent them from getting soggy by placing them in a container with air circulation. In that way, you prevent the liquid from making the veggies get soggy. Place them in the refrigerator. If you are ready to eat your leftover veggies, just place them in the microwave, cover with a plastic sheet and heat for four minutes. Your veggies will taste fresh as the day you made them.

Vegetable Guide

• Asparagus – cooking asparagus in the microwave is easy. You do it by adding one teaspoon of water in a snap-lock bag and cook for a minute and a half.
• Cauliflower or broccoli – you can microwave vegetables by cutting them in small florets and arranging them in one layer with the thickest florets facing outside the dish.  Cook for two and a half minutes.
• Green beans – place in a shallow dish and add some water and cook in the microwave for 2 ½ minutes.
• Spinach – wash the leaves and drain in a coriander. Place the spinach leaves in a snap-lock bag and cook for 1 ½ minutes.

Once you have finished cooking the vegetables, remove the plastic cover immediately so the steaming and the cooking will stop right away. In that way, you prevent the veggies from getting over-cooked. You do not need to worry as they will still retain the vitamins and minerals even if you microwave vegetables. You can flavor them up by adding some dried chili flakes or melted cheese on top. Eating vegetables must be a part of your daily diet, and cooking them in microwave is as easy as 123.