The microwave makes breakfast a breeze. Lunch and brunch, too. Eggs microwave to perfection, but even better, bacon browns and crisps with no messy spattering.
Microwaving times for bacon will vary because of differences in thickness and fattiness, plus the amount of salt and sugar used in curing.
It also takes longer to microwave large amounts of bacon (more than eight slices) than to fry them in a skillet, so either use the range or microwave in batches of eight slices.
The advantages to microwaving bacon? It's less greasy (dieters, take note), it's neater (less spattering), and the bacon needn't be turned more than once as it cooks. For best results, follow these guidelines:
* Choose slices of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
* For crisp bacon, microwave small amounts (four slices or less) between several thicknesses of paper towels instead of on a baking/roasting rack. This method doesn't work so well for larger quantities because the towel becomes grease-soaked and must be changed often.
* If the bacon is very lean, allow a little extra microwaving time (it's the fat in bacon that absorbs microwaves).
* To separate slices of refrigerator-cold bacon easily, microwave on high power (100 percent) for 15 to 20 seconds. Or if you're in a hurry, microwave unseparated slices for one-third of the total cooking time, separate and proceed as directed in the guide that follows.
* To separate frozen bacon slices, microwave a one-pound package at medium- low power (30 percent) for five to six minutes, rotating the package 180 degrees and turning it over halfway through cooking time. Do not refreeze; simply wrap and refrigerate what you don't use.
* If you're planning a bacon-and-eggs breakfast, the time to cook the eggs is while the bacon is standing.
Here is a time guide for microwaving bacon, based on the thickness of the meat:
For thin bacon (30 slices per pound). Two slices, microwave on high power (100 percent) for 1 to 1 1/4 minutes, and let stand for 1 minute. Four slices, microwave on high power for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, and let stand for 2 minutes. Six slices, microwave on high power for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes. Eight slices, microwave on high power for 4 1/2 to 5 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes.
For regular bacon (16 to 20 slices per pound). Two slices, microwave on high power for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, and let stand for 1 minute. Four slices, microwave on high power for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, and let stand for 2 minutes. Six slices, microwave on high power for 4 1/2 to 5 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes. Eight slices, microwave on high power for 5 1/2 to 6 1/4 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes.
For thick bacon (12 to 16 slices per pound). Two slices, microwave on high power for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, and let stand for 1 minute. Four slices, microwave on high power for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, and let stand for 2 minutes. Six slices, microwave on high power for 5 to 6 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes. Eight slices, microwave on high power for 7 to 8 minutes, and let stand for 3 minutes.
And here's a cooking guide:
For two to four slices, separate and arrange slices between several sheets of paper towels, then place on a plate or a coated paper plate. For six to eight slices, arrange, not overlapping, on a microwave-safe baking/roasting rack or on a rack in a microwave-safe baking/roasting pan, and cover with paper towel.
Microwave all bacon, regardless of thickness, until the fat is translucent and bubbly, rearranging slices on the rack halfway through cooking time and moving the less done center slices to the outside. Bacon will be limp when you remove it from microwave oven but will crisp and brown during the standing time.
Cook Canadian bacon as follows: For two slices, microwave on high power for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes; for four slices, microwave for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes; for six slices, microwave for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. No standing time is necessary.
Arrange the Canadian bacon slices in a microwave-safe pie plate, overlapping four or more slices in circle. Cover with wax paper. When bacon has cooked half of its allotted time, turn it over. Thick bacon may need 30 to 50 percent more cooking time, depending on number of slices.
Note: In ovens of less than 600 watts, increase all cooking times about 15 percent.
