If you are a busy mom, cooking with a microwave is something you should do everyday. You probably use your microwave for convenience, but did you know that this kitchen appliance can help your family eat healthier and save you time with some cooking tasks?

Microwave cooking offers busy moms an alternative to slower ways of cooking with the added bonus of lowering fat, salt and preserving more of the vitamins and minerals in your family’s foods.

Here are some quick and easy microwave cooking tips that you may want to try.

1. Reduce the salt and fat intake of foods by marinating them. Soak the food in your marinating sauce for at least 3 hours (over night for awesome flavor) and then when you are ready to cook it, pop it into the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on the lowest power setting, then cook as you normally would.

2. Cook shellfish with this easy method. Place six clams or oysters in a circle on a microwaveable plate—the edges that open pointing to the center; microwave at full power for 4 minutes or until the shells open.

3. Use this microwave trick to make your fish less dried out when baking. Organize your fish on a microwave plate and cook in your microwave on the lowest power for 1 to 2 minutes. This brings your fish safely to room temperature, bake as you normally would.

4. Flounder is one fish that can be cooked fully in the microwave because it is a leaner variety. Place fish in a microwave safe dish and cover with tomatoes and basil. Cook 4 ½ minutes per pound of fish. You can do this with any “lean” fish.

5. When cooking a variety of vegetables, cut them all the same size and thickness. You have greater success if you cook vegetables that are similar in texture like sweet potatoes and regular potatoes.

6. Here is an easy way to peel a tomato. Microwave the tomato on full power for 1 minute and the peeling should come right off.

7. Remove the peel from a green pepper by microwaving on full power for 3 minutes, turning the pepper after each minute of cooking. Wrap the green pepper loosely with foil and place in the freezer until it is cooled. The skin will slip right off.

8. Plump dried fruits by drizzling the fruit with water or juice. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds. Let the fruit cool for 4 minutes before using in recipes or as a snack.

9. Here is a neat trick to tell if you yeast is any good. Mix the yeast with your recipes sweetener, the liquid and ¼ cup of the flour. Cover with a vented lid or plastic wrap that has holes punched in it. Cook on lowest power for 1 minute. If there are bubbles or popping, then your yeast is good and you can continue making the recipe.

These are just a few ways to use your microwave to save you time and to help keep your cooked foods healthier for your family. I am including a recipe for grilled chicken that I hope you will try.

Easy and Tender Grilled Chicken

Take a 2 ½ pound chicken. Cut into pieces and remove skin and visible fat. Place chicken on a microwaveable plate or for better results, one that lets the juices drain away from the chicken pieces. Either way will work.

Cover the chicken with waxed paper and cook on full power for 4 ½ minutes turn the chicken pieces and cook another 4 ½ minutes or until the chicken juices run clear when pierced with a fork(every microwave is different).

Now you are ready to place the chicken on a very-very hot grill and cook for 5 minutes. Baste with your favorite coating the whole time.

Enjoy!