Ever since Microwave Gourmet by Barbara Kafka came out in 1987, I’ve been a fan. Her evocative writing in her Gourmet magazine monthly column influenced me to plant a Montmorency cherry tree in my yard, too. For the following twenty years our family appreciated jam, pies, and cherries preserved in mountain spirits that came from fruit the tree provided.
The microwave is a brilliant method for producing perfect risotto with a minimum of stirring. At Young Chefs’ recent school holiday morning cooking class, we made it with finely sliced cabbage and cherry tomatoes added in. Kids taste the chewiness of the arborio rice, the savory chicken stock and Parmesan, but the cabbage melts into the dish. Here is the recipe: Microwave Risotto with Cabbage.