Microwaves are an essential kitchen appliance, providing convenience and speed for everyday tasks like reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen meals, and even cooking a variety of dishes from scratch. However, many people don’t realize just how versatile microwaves can be! In this blog, we’ll explore some clever tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your microwave and transform the way you use it in your kitchen.
1. Reheat Pizza with a Glass of Water
One common complaint when reheating pizza in the microwave is that the crust becomes soggy. To solve this, place a microwave-safe glass of water in the microwave alongside your slice of pizza. The water helps maintain moisture and prevents the pizza from drying out, keeping the crust crisp while reheating the toppings.
2. Peel Garlic Easily
Peeling garlic cloves can sometimes be a tedious task, but with your microwave, you can make it a lot easier! Place the garlic clove in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The heat will cause the skin to loosen, making it much simpler to peel off.
3. Soften Butter in Seconds
If you’ve forgotten to leave your butter out to soften before baking, no need to panic. Instead of waiting hours for butter to come to room temperature, place it in the microwave for 5–10 seconds on a low power setting. This will soften the butter evenly without melting it. If you need it a little more soft, flip it over and heat for another 5 seconds.
4. Use the Microwave for Crispy Bacon
Forget about the greasy mess of frying bacon on the stovetop. You can cook bacon quickly and cleanly in the microwave! Place the bacon slices between layers of paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 4–6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your preferred level of crispiness. You’ll have bacon ready without all the splatter.
5. Quickly Steam Vegetables
Steaming vegetables in a microwave is one of the quickest and healthiest ways to cook them. Simply chop your veggies, place them in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water, and cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate. Heat in 1- to 2-minute intervals, checking for doneness. In just a few minutes, you’ll have tender, perfectly steamed vegetables!
6. Defrost Meat Evenly
Defrosting meat in the microwave is often tricky, with some parts getting cooked while others remain frozen. To avoid this, use the defrost function, which is designed to gently thaw food. Be sure to check and turn the meat halfway through to ensure even defrosting. Also, if you’re defrosting something in pieces, separate them to prevent uneven thawing.
7. Make “Baked” Potatoes in Minutes
Instead of waiting an hour for your oven to cook a baked potato, you can make one in the microwave in just 5–8 minutes. Scrub your potato, poke a few holes in it with a fork, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. After that, flip it over and microwave for an additional 3 minutes. You’ll have a fluffy, “baked” potato in no time!
8. Make Fresh Popcorn Without the Bag
While microwave popcorn bags are convenient, they often come with unwanted chemicals and preservatives. Instead, make your own fresh popcorn by placing a quarter-cup of kernels in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it with a microwave-safe plate or a microwave cover, and microwave on high for 2–4 minutes. You can even add your own flavorings like melted butter, olive oil, or seasoning to make it extra tasty!
9. Quickly Steam Rice
Cooking rice can take a while on the stove, but with the microwave, you can speed up the process. Combine 1 cup of rice with 1 ½ cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate, and microwave for 10–12 minutes on high. Let the rice sit for a few minutes before serving, and you’ll have perfectly cooked rice in a fraction of the time.
10. Revive Stale Bread
If your bread has gone a little stale, you don’t have to throw it out! Wrap the bread in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10–15 seconds. The steam from the paper towel will help soften the bread, making it taste fresh again. It’s a quick fix for when you’re craving toast or a sandwich but don’t want to waste food.
11. Melt Chocolate Quickly
Melt chocolate in the microwave without any fuss! Break up the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completely melted. This is perfect for baking or for making a quick chocolate fondue!
12. Freshen Up Sponges
Over time, kitchen sponges can become smelly and dirty. To disinfect and freshen them up, dampen your sponge with water, place it in the microwave, and heat it for about 1 minute on high. This will kill bacteria and odors, leaving your sponge smelling fresh and clean.
13. Quickly Make Mug Cakes
Mug cakes are a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth without baking a whole cake. You can make a quick single-serving mug cake by combining simple ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, and butter in a microwave-safe mug. Microwave for about 1 minute, and you’ll have a warm, moist cake in no time. Add chocolate chips, peanut butter, or other toppings to customize your treat!
14. Cook Eggs in the Microwave
Cooking eggs in the microwave is a fast and easy way to make scrambled eggs, omelets, or poached eggs. To scramble eggs, beat them with a fork in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they’re fully cooked. For poached eggs, crack the egg into a microwave-safe bowl of water and microwave for 1 minute. You’ll have perfectly cooked eggs in under a minute.
15. Clean Your Microwave
Keeping your microwave clean can sometimes be a hassle, especially when food splatters everywhere. But here’s a quick tip: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and a few tablespoons of vinegar. Heat the bowl on high for 3–5 minutes until the water boils and the steam loosens grime. Wipe down the inside with a cloth, and you’ll have a sparkling clean microwave!
Conclusion
With these microwave tips and tricks, you can elevate your kitchen game and save time on a variety of tasks. From reheating food to cooking meals from scratch, your microwave is a powerful tool that can do much more than just warming leftovers. So next time you’re in the kitchen, think beyond the basics and get creative with your microwave!
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