8 handy uses for the microwave everyone overlooks
A microwave is perfect for reheating coffee and leftover takeaways, but if you think that's all it can do you are seriously underestimating the kitchen appliance's ability.
While some remain anti-microwave, among other things, the microwave is actually a healthy, convenient way to cook.
From bringing condiments back to life to disinfecting your sponges, here are 10 handy uses for a microwave.
1. Cooks dinner in 10 minutes flat
The microwave's sole purpose isn't just to reheat, it can cook too. A healthy salmon and veggie dinner can be made using fresh ingredients, and be ready in less than 10 minutes.
Microwave fish covered with either a lid or a plate and ensure it stays moist.
Real Simple said to subtract about three-quarters of the recommended cooking time but as a rule of thumb fish should take about eight to 10 minutes.
2. Disinfects plastic cutting boards
Bacteria like salmonella and E. coli breed on your chopping board, even after giving them a good scrub.
A 1996 report based on microbiologist at the University of Wisconsin Dr Dean O. Cliver's research and advised microwaving chopping boards for five minutes to remove bacteria.
Dr Cliver told The New York Times that people should carefully watch the microwave and turn it off if any problems occur.
Real Simple suggests rubbing the board with the cut side of a lemon before zapping.
3. Brings honey back to life
The perception that crystallised honey has gone bad is false. When in fact, Wired said it's actually a sign of good-quality honey.
If your honey has hardened in the jar, take the lid off and pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
The heat will bring the honey back to a delicious, gooey consistency.
4. Cooking vegetables
Don't waste time boiling water when your vegetables can be cooked in the microwave for a fraction of the time.
The Washington Post said, “Multiple studies have supported this, including a 2010 study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry that identified microwaving as the best cooking method for maintaining the colour and cancer-fighting phytochemicals in brussels sprouts.”
To cook your vegetables, simply rinse with water, place in a microwave safe dish, cover and zap in the microwave for roughly five minutes, but it depends on your microwave.
5. Kills bacteria in sponges
To remove the colony of bacteria growing in your sponge, put it in the microwave.
Real Simple said soak the cloth or sponge in water; add some vinegar with lemon juice and microwave on high for one minute.
6. Proofing yeast for dough
Last-minute pizza dough isn't an option when dough needs at least an hour to rise, that is, unless you have a microwave.
Place your dough in the middle of the microwave, along with a cup of water at the back and heat for three minutes on the lowest setting possible.
Let the dough rest for three minutes before heating it again for another three minutes. This time let it rest for six minutes.
7. Cook a chocolate mug cake in five minutes
Have your cake in eat it too, in just five minutes.
Mug Cakes, by Lene Knudsen, is a whole book dedicated to making cakes in mugs.
Putting some of the recipes to the test, Fairfax Media said the “mug cakes aren't a total disaster.”
“They're a great idea, and they are very easy to whip up once you've got the ingredients. They slide smoothly out of the mugs (not much scraping required) and we're warned in advance to eat them straightaway.”
8. Revives old make-up
Clumpy mascara means lumpy eyelashes. While some like this look, others loathe it.
Before throwing out your dried and chunky mascara, pop it in the microwave.
Home economist Jacqueline Mariani told the Daily Mail: “Remove the lid and brush, then place the open tube in your microwave next to a cup of water for humidity.”
“Microwave on high for five seconds to loosen up the contents and get a couple more weeks of luscious lashes.”
Do you have any ingenious tips for household appliances? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Written by Livia Gamble. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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