Why do frozen greens get fibrous and tough in the microwave?
When I microwave frozen spinach or amaranth greens to cook them, they sometimes get tough and fibrous. There doesn't seem to be a consistent pattern in when this happens, so I can't figure out how to avoid it.
So I ask you: why do frozen greens get tough and fibrous when cooked in the microwave, and how can I avoid it?
Best Answer
Microwave ovens cook primarily by spinning water molecules. Frozen water is less susceptible to this affect. I would guess that with certain vegetables, as frozen water turns to a liquid, it is quickly heated to the point that it boils and evaporates. The heating is less even than cooking frozen vegetables in a pot and leads to areas that are somewhat dehydrated and fibrous.
Try cooking your frozen vegetables in a container with a lose cover and additional water. This will allow them to cook or steam from the the outside in much like in a pot.
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Quick Answer about "Why do frozen greens get fibrous and tough in the microwave?"
I would guess that with certain vegetables, as frozen water turns to a liquid, it is quickly heated to the point that it boils and evaporates. The heating is less even than cooking frozen vegetables in a pot and leads to areas that are somewhat dehydrated and fibrous.Can you microwave frozen greens?
One of the best and simplest ways to cook frozen veggies is by using the microwave. How do you microwave frozen vegetables? Use microwave-safe dish, add small amount of water and cover the dish with a lid. Microwave for 1 to 5 minutes on medium power setting until the veggies are tender.How do you make frozen vegetables soft?
Steam frozen vegetables by pouring them into a microwave-safe glass dish and adding just a few tablespoons of water. Microwave the veggies in 90-second intervals, stirring and checking for desired doneness after each interval. If you prefer soft and tender veggies, they'll probably need a few minutes in the microwave.Fresh or frozen food? Using SCIENCE to prove which is best with surprising results! - BBC
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