I fail at microwaving parsnips.
November 6, 2008 – 9:55 amI fail at microwaving parsnips.
After peeling the parsnips and removing their woody cores (the cookbook claimed this should be neither tedious nor time-consuming; I want to know where they’re getting their parnips), I put them in a bowl with a few tablespoons of water, as the recipe indicated, and then covered with plastic wrap, as the recipe indicated, and then put them in the microwave for 12 minutes (the recipe said 15, but I figured I should be safe).
About 8 minutes in, Chris turned to me and said “you know, the microwave is… smoking.” I turned around. Clouds of white smoke were billowing around the tiny black appliance. I hit the STOP! STOP! STOP NOW! button* and was introduced to the deliciously earthy smell of… burning parsnip. Also the not-as-pleasantly-earthy smell of melting plastic wrap.
*due to space constraints, the actual button label was abbreviated to “STOP”.
What happened: parsnips are absorbent. Water went away. Waterlogged parsnips went OH! Energy! Let’s get it and then MELT THINGS! And… and… BURN OURSELVES!
A bowl of charred parsnips is now soaking in hot water in the sink.
2 Responses to “I fail at microwaving parsnips.”
Adventurous cooking – excellent!
The recipe didn’t specify the power level? I normally cook things on high for up to 3 minutes (more or less depending on quantity, then if they need longer, I use a very low setting. Or I leave it sit for a couple of minutes, then cook for a minute (quick cook button), and repeat as necessary.
I once cooked delicious rice this way. My Indian friend was impressed and wanted to know how long I cooked it for. I said About 5 minutes” which confused him. Of course, they weren’t consecutive minutes, and it also sat for a while at the end – and I used boiled water to start (stirring, as the boiling water causes sticking otherwise). There, I got carried away and wrote a recipe.
By Chriswaterguy on Nov 6, 2008
“What happened: parsnips are absorbent. Water went away. Waterlogged parsnips went OH! Energy! Let’s get it and then MELT THINGS! And… and… BURN OURSELVES!”
I love how you give the scientific explanation that includes anthropomorphized parsnips :)
By Elizabeth on Nov 10, 2008