After the holidays, America turns its attention toward the Super Bowl, and of course, Super Bowl snacking. This year, resolve to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the game by preparing super-easy Super Bowl snacks with your microwave.

Amana AMC2206BAS 2.0 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave Oven with 1,100 Cooking Watts and Touchmatic Control System: Stainless Steel

Buy New: $229.00

The Amana AMC2206 series Countertop Microwave Oven delivers 1,100 watts of power with 2.0 cu. ft. capacity. It makes cooking family-sized entrees a flash. With a Kitchen timer, it lets you time what you have cooking on the stove even when the microwave is on. For meals in a hurry, Auto Defrost thaws meat perfectly through and through. Just touching the buttons with the Touchmatic Control system makes this microwave simple to operate while the Cooking Complete reminder lets you know when it’s time to eat. There is even a Child Lockout to prevent kids from hurting themselves or the microwave.

It’s not surprising that football and microwave cooking go hand-in-hand; both the Super Bowl and the world’s first countertop microwave oven by Amana made their debut in the same year — 1967. However, with today’s advanced microwave technologies, you can do much more than reheat foods while cheering for your favorite team. With added conveniences such as convection, larger oven capacities and up to 1500 watts of power, microwave ovens are built to ensure fast, even cooking for a wider variety of foods.

These days, microwave ovens let you to create tempting snacks in a flash — including classic recipes that families have enjoyed for years. Many new and updated recipes are so easy that football fans of any age (or culinary skill level) can help prepare them. Off-the-shelf, ready made ingredients also allow you to quickly whip up snacks that would ordinarily take hours to prepare.

To celebrate 40 years of microwave cooking, Amana combed its archives for the all-time favorite microwave recipes collected over the years, and created a new online downloadable cookbook. “Fast Food Redefined: 40 Years Ago Amana Invented a New Way to Cook” lets you save more time than ever while exploring new and clever cooking possibilities. Many nostalgic recipes can be easily recreated using at most, seven or eight ingredients.

The cookbook offers a new twist on classic snack favorites such as Crunchy Nibble Mix made with corn cereal squares, popped popcorn, pretzels, mixed nuts and dried cranberries. Or try another snacking favorite, Spinach Dip in a Bread Boat served warm with bread cubes. Create crowd-pleasing Fiesta Nacho Dip made with cream cheese, refried beans and salsa. Round out the snack menu with Snappy Glazed Meatballs that cook in 15 short minutes, and you’ll be the hero at halftime.

Microwave Recipe: Easy Fiesta Nacho Dip

This microwave version of an all-time snacking favorite is perfect for a Super Bowl get-together. Fast and easy to prepare using ready-made ingredients, it’s sure to please the crowd — as well as the cook.

Ingredients:
1 package (8 oz. cream cheese)
1 can (16 oz.) refried beans
1/2 cup chunky style salsa
1/4 cup chopped canned green chilies
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Mexican cheese blend
Additional toppings such as chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives or sliced green onions (optional)
Tortilla chips

Directions:
1. Place cream cheese on microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high 30 to 40 seconds or until softened. Spread cream cheese evenly in 1-quart microwave-safe casserole. In medium bowl combine refried beans, salsa, chilies and taco seasoning. Spread bean mixture over cream cheese; sprinkle with cheese.

2. Microwave on high 2-1/2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with toppings over dip, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips.

Makes 8 servings

Microwave tip: You can soften cream cheese using the Soften/Melt feature when using the microwave. Place cream cheese on microwave-safe dish.

To obtain other easy recipes, as well as a variety of recipes for soups and sandwiches, sides, savory main dishes, sweet treats and desserts, plus cooking tips, visit www.amana.com.

The microwave oven is one of the most used appliances in most kitchens. Millions of people use them everyday to warm up leftovers, cook frozen dinners, and even make popcorn. As much as people use microwaves on a daily basis, most people only utilize a small percentage of a microwave ovens capabilities. Before you go out and purchase your next microwave oven, it is a good idea to have an understanding of everything a microwave can do for you as well as a knowledge of the types of microwaves that are available.

Sharp R-305KS 1-Cubic-Foot 1100-Watt Microwave Oven

List Price: $109.99
Buy New: $99.99
You Save: $10.00 (9%)

Features:
• 1100-watt mid-sized microwave oven with 1-cubic-foot capacity
• 12-5/8-inch-diameter turntable provides even heating; 23 automatic settings
• 4 defrost, 6 cook, and 6 reheat options; Short Cuts for melting, softening, and warming
• Minute Plus; popcorn key; auto-touch controls; 4-digit 2-color lighted display; interior light
• Measures 20-1/2 by 17 by 12-1/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Most microwave ovens see the majority of their use coming from simple tasks such as reheating leftovers or thawing frozen food, but they are able to do so much more. Microwaves can also be used to cook complete meals in very little time. Because microwave ovens cook food much faster than a conventional oven or stove, more nutrients are allowed to remain in your food, making the microwave a healthy cooking option. Microwave ovens are also an economical choice because they save a lot of money in energy costs. With such quick cooking times, they will be at full power for much less time than a conventional oven or stove, using less electricity and saving you money on your utilities. They also are a wonderful alternative to cooking with your oven on a hot day. There is nothing worse than heating up the kitchen when it is already sweltering outside. Try preparing your whole meal using the microwave instead of the oven and not only will your house remain at a much more comfortable temperature, you will save money by not having to run a fan or the air conditioner to compensate for the heat the oven or stove caused.

There are several things to consider when buying a microwave oven. If you have an understanding of your cooking and reheating needs, you will be better equipped to choose exactly the right microwave oven for you. Capacity and power are the biggest differences in the microwave ovens on the market today. Before you shop around, it is best to determine what capacity and power your family needs.

If you plan to use your microwave to cook a lot of food for a large number of people you need to buy a microwave oven that is a higher powered unit. Look for a microwave with a wattage of at least 1000 watts. Compact microwave ovens run between 500-800 watts, midsize microwave ovens tend to range from 800-1000 watts, and full size microwaves are over 1000 watts. The higher the wattage, the more power the microwave has, which means faster cooking times.

The capacity of a microwave is almost as important as the wattage. You want to make sure that you get a microwave that is big enough to fit your favorite cookware. If you are planning to cook large casseroles in your microwave, you should consider buying a full size model. Compact microwave ovens have a capacity that is less than .8 cubic feet. Midsize microwave ovens have a capacity that is .8 to 1.2 cubic feet and full size microwaves are always larger than 1.2 cubic feet.

The last thing to consider when buying a microwave oven is storage. The size of the microwave will limit where you can place it, so it needs to be taken into account. If you have limited counter space, a full size microwave may be out of the question. If you are set on getting a high wattage microwave with the capacity to cook a roast, but your counter space is limited, there are a few alternatives. You can buy a microwave cart to set it on or invest in a microwave that fits over your existing range. You can also find microwaves that fit under cabinets or built in to your walls.

If you are in the market for a new microwave, carefully consider how much capacity you need, how high a wattage system you require, and how much kitchen space you can allot to your new microwave. Once you have figured out the three basics, you can easily narrow down your choices based on your list of needs. Buy the microwave that best fits all three of your criteria.

Daniel Smith writes about Home Appliances and Kitchen Appliances

Technorati Tags: microwave oven

Sharp R-402JW 1-2/5-Cubic-Foot 1100-Watt Microwave
Buy New: $99.99

Features:

• 1100-watt family-size microwave oven with 1-2/5-cubic-foot capacity
• 14-1/8-inch-diameter turntable provides even heating; 23 automatic settings
• 4 defrost options; 6 automatic cook options for up to 6 servings; 6 reheat options
• Minute Plus; popcorn key; 11 power levels; touch-pad controls; 5-digit lighted display
• Measures 21-11/16 by 12-3/8 by 17-3/8 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Technorati Tags: microwave oven

A microwave oven is all about interior size and watts. A little less than 1 cubic foot and about 800 watts is the minimum to consider for even one or two people. The Sharp R-305KS 1-Cubic-Foot 1100-Watt Microwave Oven and Panasonic NN-T695SF 1.2-Cubic-Foot 1,300-Watt Microwave Oven are well received in this category.

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