[Coach]

Has anybody blanched veggies in a microwave?

[arugula]

Sorry, no. A microwave cooks veg and fish well, so I imagine it would do a good job at blanching, but I've no idea of timings.

[Coach]

Thanks!!! Will try 30 secs. To start with

[shokkyy]

I'd be interested in hearing how well that works, so keep us posted on your results.

[Coach]

I tried 30 seconds but the beans didn't look right so I put them in for another 30 seconds.
OK!
So I put the rest in for a minute on full power!

Was told that you don't need to blanch them!!!

[arugula]

I tried 30 seconds but the beans didn't look right so I put them in for another 30 seconds.
OK!
So I put the rest in for a minute on full power!

Was told that you don't need to blanch them!!!

What kind of beans Coach?    At least you've proved it works OK!

[shokkyy]

Actually, I Googled this and there's a lot of different opinions out there. They've done a fair bit of research on it, because they're obviously interested in finding the optimal way of preparing commercial frozen veg. Apparently, under or over blanching any veg does more harm than not blanching it at all. Any exposure to water does destroy antioxidants fairly quickly, which is the good bit in veg that protects against cancer and cardiovascular disease, and that's why steaming is a healthier way of cooking than boiling. I found one report doing a comparison study of boiling V steaming V microwave as a method of blanching veg, and their conclusion was that steaming was best for ascorbic acid (antioxidant) retention, and that microwave was equal to or better than boiling, with all three methods giving similar taste, aroma and enzyme deactivation. I think where they find problems is in saying how long to microwave for, because there's such big differences in microwave power outputs, veg density and that kind of thing.

[Coach]

I tried 30 seconds but the beans didn't look right so I put them in for another 30 seconds.
OK!
So I put the rest in for a minute on full power!

Was told that you don't need to blanch them!!!

What kind of beans Coach?    At least you've proved it works OK!

Runners & French!!!

[arugula]

I tried 30 seconds but the beans didn't look right so I put them in for another 30 seconds.
OK!
So I put the rest in for a minute on full power!

Was told that you don't need to blanch them!!!

What kind of beans Coach?    At least you've proved it works OK!

Runners & French!!!

Excellent! A method to bear in mind for the future then.