Buzz
If you love crispy smoked meat, you'll be excited to know there's a quick method to cook it without the sticky mess. However, it's best to only make a small batch at a time, because you'll definitely want to make more!
Steps
Paper Towel Method
Prepare a microwave-safe plate, ideally using glass or Pyrex glassware. Place a few layers of paper towels on the plate. The paper towels will absorb all the grease from the smoked meat, so your microwave stays clean and you won't need to wash any greasy dishes.
Arrange 6 slices of uncooked smoked meat horizontally on paper towels. Do not overlap them, as this will prevent the meat from cooking evenly.
Place a layer of paper towel over the smoked meat slices. This will prevent grease from splattering and creating a mess inside the microwave.
Cook the smoked meat. Microwave the meat for around 3 minutes, or 30 seconds per slice on the highest setting. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the type of microwave and the amount of smoked meat being cooked.
Blot the grease from the meat slices. Remove the meat from the plate and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease (if any).
- Let the meat cool for about a minute.
- Be careful when removing the slices from the paper towel to avoid sticking.
Enjoy the smoked meat. This method of cooking smoked meat results in a crispy, tasty, and healthier option than pan-frying, as it contains less grease. Enjoy it crispy with eggs or pancakes, make a smoked meat and tomato sandwich, or eat it as a light snack.
Microwave Bowl Method
Place a microwave-safe bowl on a microwave-safe plate. In this method, the smoked meat is draped over the edge of the bowl. As it cooks, the grease will drip into the bowl and onto the plate below, making cleanup easier.
Place the smoked meat slices around the rim of the bowl. Arrange the slices as close together as possible around the edge of the bowl. If you prefer the slices not to touch, leave some space between them; otherwise, it’s fine to have them touch.
Cook the smoked meat. Place the bowl with the smoked meat in the microwave. Microwave the meat on high for about 90 seconds per slice. If you're cooking 0.45 kg of meat, you’ll need around 15 minutes.
- You can place some paper towels over the meat to prevent grease from splattering in the microwave.
- Rotate the plate after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. If you prefer the meat less crispy, you can remove it after 10 minutes. Be careful, as the plate will be very hot, and hot grease may splatter.
- Check the meat for the desired crispiness.
Remove the meat from the microwave. Use oven mitts, as both the bowl and plate will be very hot. Carefully take the plate out of the microwave and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Use tongs to remove each slice of meat from the bowl and place it flat on a paper towel.
- If the meat stays in the bowl too long, it will cool in a "U" shape when you eat it.
- Be careful not to spill any grease from the smoked meat when removing the plate from the microwave.
Save the grease. If desired, you can save the smoked meat grease for cooking. Pour the grease directly from the plate into a container for storage, or place the plate in the refrigerator and wait for the grease to harden, then scrape it off. Smoked meat grease is great for frying eggs.
- Discard the excess grease if you don’t plan to use it for cooking.
- Be very careful when handling the plate and bowl as they will be very hot.
Tips
- Check multiple times to ensure the smoked meat is cooked to your liking.
- If your microwave has a specific smoked meat setting, use it.
- For a completely "no cleanup" method, use the "paper towel" technique. Instead of using a glass plate, opt for 1-2 paper plates (*paper*, not foam or plastic, as they will melt). To keep things clean, place one paper plate upside down on the paper towel to act as a "shield" for the smoked meat. After cooking, remove the smoked meat and discard everything, but be careful as the grease will still be hot.
- Keep a close eye on the cooking process. Meat heats up quickly, so you may need to stop the microwave before the timer finishes.
- Ensure that you use a microwave-safe bowl that can withstand high temperatures; otherwise, the bowl could crack.
- If left too long, the smoked meat will get too crispy, but it will still taste good.
- To make the smoked meat even crispier, cook it for an initial 3-minute period, then let the grease cool for a few minutes. Afterward, cook it for an additional minute or more if needed. Allowing the meat to "cool down" briefly prevents it from overcooking too quickly and gives the grease time to soak into the paper towel between cooking stages.
- If the meat seems too chewy, it means it wasn’t cooked long enough.
- You can open the microwave door to check the smoked meat without worrying about losing heat; the microwave will quickly heat back up once turned on again.
Warnings
- Always use oven mitts when handling hot plates. Use your senses to gauge when hot food is ready to eat.
What You’ll Need
- A microwave-safe plate (or a bowl and shallow plate for the second method)
- Paper towels
- Microwave
- Smoked meat
