20 Microwave Tricks Every Cook Needs to Know
Your microwave can do more than heat up leftovers! Here are a handful of microwave tricks that will change the way you cook.
Reduce onion tears
No more crying! Before you chop onions, place the whole onion in the microwave for 45 seconds. By heating the onion before cutting it, you help break down the chemicals that cause your tears.
Bake a dessert
Craving something sweet but don’t want to sacrifice time—or wash all the dishes? Use your microwave to make a pan of oatmeal bars. You only need a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes!
Find out how to make microwave fudge, too!
Cook scrambled eggs
If you’re in a pinch for a quick and delicious breakfast, zap some scrambled eggs. Simply beat two eggs, two tablespoons of milk and a pinch of salt and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. It only takes a couple minutes to make an easy plate of scrambled eggs.
Here’s expert advice on how to buy the best eggs.
Peel garlic
Vampires, beware! Peeling garlic doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Pop a full bulb in the microwave for 20 seconds to soften it, making peeling effortless. The cloves will slide right out of their skins with no mess or sticky, smelly garlic juices.
You’ll wish you knew these brilliant cooking shortcuts sooner!
Help bread dough rise
There are few greater joys in life than smelling (and eating!) freshly baked bread. But bread needs a warm place to rise, which can be a tricky feat in the cold-weather months. Here’s a quick fix: Try microwaving a bowl of water for two minutes, then place your bread inside the microwave with the warm bowl of water. Ta da! It’s the perfect condition for your bread to double in size.
Intimidated by homemade bread? These easy bread recipes are perfect for beginners.
Make a foamy latte
Fancy a foamy latte? Be your own at-home barista, no frother necessary. Fill a glass jar halfway with milk and microwave for one minute until hot. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, pour the milk into a mug, add espresso and enjoy.
The best cup of coffee you’ll ever have is one you can make in your own kitchen—so long as you avoid these common coffee brewing mistakes.
Squeeze more citrus juice
Get every last drop out of lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits. If a recipe calls for citrus juice, zap the fleshy fruit in the microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds. Then, slice it in half and squeeze away. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy!
Check out these brilliant ways to hack your kitchen appliances.
Revive stale bread
Make that bread good as new. Wrap stale bread in a damp paper towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 10 seconds. You can also put a glass of water in the microwave with the bread for more softness.
Discover another technique to make stale bread delicious again.
Toast nuts
Nuts are toasted more evenly in the microwave than the oven or skillet. Spread your favourite nuts in a single layer on a plate, then microwave in one-minute intervals, mixing them each minute.
Here are nine microwave problems you’ll regret ignoring.
Steam veggies
Use your microwave to conveniently steam all types of vegetables—broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans and even artichoke. You only need some water in a microwave-safe bowl and a microwave-safe plate to cover it all. Delish! Perfectly steamed vegetables.
Find out which foods you’re spoiling by putting in the refrigerator.
Make hard taco shells
Magically transform a soft tortilla into a hard taco shell with the help of—you guessed it—your handy microwave. Simply place the tortilla inside a tall, microwave-safe cup, heat it up for about one minute and… hello! A crunchy, crispy taco shell.
Check out the best apps to save money on groceries.
Cook crispy bacon
No more splattering bacon fat in the frying pan. With the help of some paper towels and a microwave-safe plate, you’ll be enjoying delicious, crispy bacon in your microwave in no time. Mmm… Bacon.
Everybody loves bacon—but not when it’s underdone or way too crispy! Here’s how to master the art of bacon.
Decrystallize honey
Honey that has solidified can be brought back to liquid life. Just uncover the jar and heat on medium power for 30 seconds to one minute. After a quick zap in the microwave, the revived honey is ready to drizzle into tea or over cornbread.
Discover 20 home hacks that’ll save you money.
Make potato chips
You want to make homemade potato chips. No deep fryer? No problem! Thinly slice a russet potato, drizzle the slices with vegetable oil and salt and lay them out on a microwave-safe dish. Zap ’em for about five minutes until golden and crispy.
Craving cake but don’t have a lot in the pantry? No problem! These easy cake recipes can be made with just a short list of ingredients.
Cook beans
Instead of soaking beans in water overnight, place them in a large microwave-safe bowl, completely submerged in water, and heat for about eight to 10 minutes (or until the water is boiling). The beans should be ready to use in an hour or two.
Here are more brilliant cooking shortcuts you’ll wish you’d known sooner.
Dry herbs
Instead of waiting to dry herbs in the oven or hanging them upside-down, microwave them! The electromagnetic radiation of your microwave quickly and efficiently evaporates water from the herbs, preserving the essential oils that give herbs their signature flavours and aromas.
Here’s the real difference between herbs and spices.
Bake potatoes
Prick a clean and dry baking potato with a fork. Then, place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about seven minutes. Once the potato has cooled a bit, cut with a butter knife and top with plenty of cheese, sour cream, chives and butter!
This trick for peeling potatoes is blowing up the Internet.
Soften ice cream and frosting
If your favourite pint of ice cream or jar of frosting is hard as a rock, you can soften it in the microwave without melting it. Remove the lid and heat up in 15-second intervals until the desired softness of your sweet treat is reached.
Make corn on the cob
Corn on the cob in the microwave? We’re all ears! For one or two ears of corn, microwave on high for three minutes. Serve with plenty of butter, salt and pepper. You can also finish the corn on the grill or under the broiler for extra colour and toastiness.
Make pickles
Crunchy pickles are a staple ingredient in Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers and potato salads. Pickled cucumbers have never been easier, thanks to the trusty microwave.
Next, check out the things you should never microwave.
