Showing off my culinary skills...

I'm always telling Heather that making jam in the microwave is easy peasy.  I show up at her place with all the stuff, "We are making jam today. I want to show you how easy it is," I tell her again. Off I go, fruit in the bowl, pectin in the bowl, pop it in the microwave, boil, remove, add sugar, boil again, fill sterilized jars - done, have a coffee.  Well, the stuff doesn't set.  Don't worry I said, I'll take it home and reboil it and it will be fine.  Yep, next time 'round, it was good.

Then I show up at Heather's and tell her how easy it was to make cheese sauce starting with a white sauce in the microwave, who knew! I bring canned milk, flour, butter and cheese.  Well, the canned milk was off and the whole thing was gross.  Throw it out, start again, finally success. Heather is a little skeptical now, does she really know what she is doing...

I show up at Heather's and tell her how easy it is to make a flax wrap in the microwave. Okay, she says, the jam didn't work, the cream sauce wasn't as easy as you said ...  Thank goodness the flax wraps worked, restored my rep and I can hold my head up as Domestic Goddess again!

Delicious strawberry and farm grown rhubarb jam
(this batch worked fine the first time)

Cheese sauce
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine, melted
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 cup milk
1/2-3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions:
Combine melted butter, flour and salt in a medium bowl.
Gradually add milk and stir until smooth.
Cook, stirring occasionally, at MEDIUM heat in a microwave for 6 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened.
Stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese.
Cook at HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes, if necessary, to melt cheese

Flax Wrap

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch fine sea salt or 1 pinch celery salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
olive oil for greasing pan
Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Stir in the olive oil.
Beat in the egg and water.
Grease a microwave safe glass or plastic pie plate with olive oil. Pour in the batter and spread it evenly.
Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes,.
Remove carefully with a spatula.
Turn over and fill as desired.