Fast Fish That Stays Moist

If you’ve done much microwaving, you know that nothing beats this high-speed oven when it comes to cooking fish.

There’s good reason for this. The microwave oven’s moist method of cooking preserves every ounce of natural succulence and intensifies the sea-sweet flavor of both fish and shellfish.

Whether you hook the fish yourself in offshore waters or buy it, try these elegant but easy fish dishes in the microwave.

CLAMS AL PESTO

3 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/3 cup pine nuts

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 dozen littleneck or cherrystone clams on the half shell, well drained

Process basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and cheese in food processor 1 minute until uniformly smooth. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour for flavors to mellow.

Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon pesto sauce onto each clam. Arrange 12 in circle on each of 2 microwave-safe platters, propping as needed with crumpled wax paper to keep level.

Microwave, uncovered, 1 platter at time, on MEDIUM-LOW (30% power) 3 to 3 1/2 minutes or until lukewarm, rotating platter 180 degrees at half time. Serve at once. Any leftover pesto sauce can be used to dress pasta. Makes 4 entree or 6 appetizer servings.

CLAMS OR OYSTERS REMICK

3/4 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons chili sauce

3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 to 3 drops hot pepper sauce

2 dozen littleneck or cherrystone clams or medium oysters on half shell, well drained

6 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Combine mayonnaise, chili sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM-LOW (30% power) 1 3/4 to 2 minutes or until lukewarm, stirring at half time.

Spoon heaping teaspoon sauce onto each clam and top with bacon. Arrange 12 clams in circle on each of 2 microwave-safe platters, propping as needed with crumpled wax paper to keep level.

Microwave, uncovered, 1 platter at time, on MEDIUM-LOW 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, rotating platter 180 degrees at half time, until lukewarm. Serve at once. Makes 4 entree or 6 appetizer servings.

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