A Hot Lunch for the Chilly Weather

When it is chilly and you need to get lunch on the table fast, why not try a hot microwaved sandwich? It will be ready in minutes and you need only add a soup or salad, a glass of milk and fruit for dessert to round out the meal.

You should know, however, that not all sandwiches are candidates for the microwave. Open-faced meat or poultry sandwiches, cheese melts, stuffed rolls, heroes and hoboes all microwave superbly. But grilled sandwiches fare better on the stove top and filled croissants in a regular oven because microwaving makes them soggy.

A Few Tips

For best results when microwaving sandwiches, follow these tips:

--Always wrap closed sandwiches in paper towels or napkins so that excess moisture is absorbed and the bread doesn’t go limp.

--Never overheat bread. It will toughen and dry.

--Layer deli-style heroes, subs and hoboes so cheese is in the middle where it is less apt to overcook and “string.� If you have an automatic temperature probe, insert it horizontally one third of the way into the filling, making sure it is midway between top and bottom of filling. Set temperature to 110 degrees. After microwaving, let sandwich with temperature probe stand, covered, 2 minutes before serving so inner portions have a chance to heat properly.

--If you plan a soup-and-sandwich meal, microwave the soup just until it comes to a simmer. Place the sandwich alongside the soup and microwave as the sandwich recipe directs. The soup and sandwich will be ready to serve at the same time and the soup won’t overcook.

HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE, ONION AND PEPPER HEROES

1/2 pound sweet or hot Italian sausages

1 medium green pepper, cored, seeded and thinly sliced

1 small yellow onion, peeled and minced

2 (6- to 7-inch) Italian rolls, split or 1 (12-inch) section Italian bread, halved crosswise and split

Separate sausage links, pierce in several places and arrange around edge of 8- to 9-inch casserole. Pile pepper and onion in middle. Cover with wax paper and microwave on HIGH (100% power) 8 to 10 minutes until sausages are well done. At half time, rotate casserole 180 degrees, stir pepper and onion, turn sausages over and drain off all fat.

At end of microwaving, drain sausages again, slice 3/8 inch thick, arrange on bottom halves of rolls, cover evenly with pepper and onion, then cover with tops of rolls.

Wrap sandwiches in paper towels, leaving ends open, place on oven floor and microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, turning rolls over and rotating 180 degrees at half time until heated through. Makes 2 servings.

Variation: Hot Kielbasa and Kraut Heroes--arrange 1/2 pound kielbasa, halved crosswise, around edge of casserole and place 1 cup well-drained sauerkraut in middle. Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH 3 minutes. Slice kielbasa, cover and microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Spread rolls with Dijon mustard, fill with sausages and kraut and serve. Makes 2 servings.

ZIP QUICK PIZZAS

1/3 cup tomato puree or spaghetti sauce

1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried basil

1/4 teaspoon olive oil

1 small clove garlic, crushed

Dash sugar

Dash crushed red pepper flakes

English muffins, split, or 4 (1/2-inch) slices Italian bread, toasted

3/4 cup coarsely shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine tomato puree, oregano, basil, olive oil, garlic, sugar and pepper flakes in bowl. Arrange muffin halves in circle on paper-towel-lined 10-inch plate or on bake/roast rack. Spread evenly with sauce and sprinkle with cheese, dividing amounts equally.

Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, rotating plate 180 degrees at half time, until cheese melts. Serve as snack or quarter each pizza and serve as appetizers. Makes 2 snack servings.

Note: In ovens of less than 600 watts, increase cooking times about 15%.