If you think the microwave is only for preparing frozen food or making popcorn, then you are missing out on the many possibilities of the appliance.
It is true that foods do not always have a very pleasant texture when they are prepared in the microwave, it is better to use the traditional oven or even a fryer.
However, this appliance can become your best friend in the kitchen if you know some tricks that will make your life easier.
Check out the following list to find out how to peel some foods, cook vegetables and even sanitize the dishwasher sponge using the microwave:
1. Foaming milk for cappuccino
Pour half a cup of semi-skimmed milk into a sealed microwave-safe container. Shake vigorously until milk froths. Microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to stabilize.
Read also: This is the correct way to heat pizza (and not in the microwave or oven)
2. Toast walnuts, nuts and almonds
Spread half a cup of nuts and the like on a plate and add half a teaspoon of melted butter or margarine or cooking oil. Mix well and microwave at high power for one minute. Mix again and leave one more minute if necessary.
3. Get more juice from a lemon
The heat helps break down the cellular structures of citrus fruits, favoring the release of juice. Simply leave the lemon in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds and then roll it between your hands or against the table to let it drop more juice as it is cut.
4. Sanitize the kitchen sponge
To kill almost all the dangerous bacteria that accumulate in the kitchen sponge, just put it in the microwave for two minutes at high power.
5. Making Potato Chips
Slice the potatoes into very thin chips and mix them with olive oil and salt. Distribute the slices on a greased plate, forming a single layer. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until chips begin to darken at the edges. Turn them over and leave them in the microwave for another 2-3 minutes. See the detailed walkthrough here.
6. Cooking Bacon
If you want to avoid the mess in the kitchen or prefer not to fry the bacon, you can prepare it in the microwave. To do this, cover a plate with a few sheets of paper towels, spread the bacon over it in a single layer and cover it with more paper towels. Place in microwave for about 2 minutes until crisp.
Also read: Household Cleaning Tips
7. Make your own greenhouse
Do you need a warm, humid place to let your dough rise? The microwave is ideal for this! Just heat a cup of water until the appliance is full of steam, put the pasta in it and close the door quickly.
8. Dehydrate Herbs and Spices
If you have some fresh herbs or spices and won't be able to use them all, you can dehydrate them in the microwave. To do this, spread the branches between two sheets of paper towels and put them in the oven for two to three minutes.
9. Peeling Garlic Head
Place the whole garlic head in the microwave for about 20 seconds so that the cloves detach and easily come out of their shells.
10. Peeling Tomatoes
Using a knife, make an X on the underside of the tomatoes. Microwave them for 30 seconds and watch the shell come off very easily. For very large tomatoes it may be necessary to leave another 30 seconds.
11. Undoing the sugar lumps
If your sugar is all stoned, you can microwave it for 20 seconds, covered by a sheet of paper towels. This process will break the lumps and loosen the beans.
Read also: Keep your microwave oven clean
12. Steaming Vegetables
Place your vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, eggplant, etc.) in a microwave-safe bowl and add a few spoons of water. Cover the container and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Be careful when opening the oven as the steam will be very hot.
To get even more out of your appliance, it's worth knowing a few cleaning tricks to get your microwave clinking and ready for the next breakthrough session. Also, be sure to check the list of foods that should not be reheated in this appliance.
10 Microwave Hacks that will Make Your Life a Whole Lot Better! DIY Ideas by Blossom (April 2024)
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