Microwaves are extremely useful appliances. They can cut your cook time down by a bunch, and they make everyday tasks just a little bit easier. You might not think much of microwaves, but there are still so many creative uses you haven’t tried yet!
These hacks will have you rethinking the way you use microwaves. There’s almost no limit to what they can do. Here are 17 microwave hacks you won’t believe you’ve never thought of.
1. DIY Jam
Using a wooden spoon, mash up a cup of your favorite berries. Add 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice, and mix it all together. Then microwave for 10 minutes, and you have your very own jam.
2. Bacon Patty
Cut your strips of bacon in half and place them flat on a paper towel. Weave the bacon strips together so that they form a patty-like shape. Place another paper towel on top, and microwave for 3-4 minutes. Be sure to let it cool a bit before picking it up.
3. Soften Stale Bread
If your bread is stale, don’t give up on it. Instead, wrap it in a paper towel and pour water over it. Throw it in the microwave for a minute, and it will be much softer.
4. Fast Scrambled Eggs
If you don’t have time to wait on the frying pan, scramble your eggs in the microwave. Mix up the yolks inside a microwave safe mug. Add in your almond milk, salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Heat the eggs for 90 seconds, then eat up.
5. Steam Veggies
Cut up your favorite vegetable and place it in a bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of water and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Cover it with a plate and microwave for three minutes. Voila; simple steamed veggies.
6. Froth Milk
Fill a jar halfway with milk. Screw on the lid and shake it up. Then remove the lid and microwave the milk for 30 seconds. It should be foamy and coffee-ready.
7. Dulce de Leche
Pour a can of sweetened condensed milk into a microwave safe bowl. Place that bowl inside a larger microwave safe bowl that is full of water. Set the larger bowl inside the microwave for 8 minutes, and your dolce de leche will be ready.
8. DIY Potato Chips
Slice potatoes to 1/8th inch thick. Lay them flat on a plate and microwave them for 3 minutes at a time. You can season them any way you want!
9. Peel Tomatoes
To peel a tomato with ease, cut a small x into the bottom of it. Microwave for 30 seconds, and you will be able to peel the skin off the tomato without a problem. It will be soup-ready, so prepare yourself for a gourmet meal. Remember, though, that tomato skins are rich in nutrients, so don’t peel tomatoes too often!
10. Juice Lemons Better
Next time you are about to juice a lemon or lime, microwave it for 10-20 seconds first. The heat will make the fruit softer, which means it will be more easy to squeeze. This is a great hack for lemonades or daiquiris!
11. Gather Garlic
Peeling individual pieces of garlic can be such a hassle! Instead, cut the bottom from all of the garlic cloves at once. Place the whole thing in the microwave for 20 seconds, and the individual cloves will pop out with ease.
12. DIY Caramel Sauce
Make your own caramel by mixing together sugar, corn syrup, water, and lemon juice. Place it in the microwave for 5-8 minutes. Once it turns a light golden color pour in cream, vanilla extract, and butter. This will make one sweet treat!
13. Dry Basil
Fresh basil doesn’t stay good for long. To dry your basil, roll up several leaves at once and cut them into tiny pieces. Pour all of your basil pieces into a bowl, then microwave it for one minute. Your basil will be dry and ready to store. This hack works great with other herbs as well.
14. Dry Herbs Whole
You don’t have to cut your herbs up into tiny pieces in order to dry them. You could always keep the leaves whole and lay them flat on a paper towel. Heat them for 30 seconds, then flip them over. Continue the process until the leaves are completely dry.
15. Hard Taco Shell
To make a perfectly formed hard shell, fold a tortilla and place it inside a microwave safe cup. Heat it up for 60 seconds, then take it out of the cup. Your taco shell will be ready to be filled.
16. Restore Crystallized Honey
Honey can become crystallized when it sits still for too long. To bring your honey back to life, heat it in an uncovered container on low for about two minutes. Now you can pour it on whatever you want.
17. Mug Cake
Mix up a delicious mug cake by combining 4 tbsp all purpose flour, 4 tbsp brown sugar, 4 tbsp cocoa powder, a pinch of sea salt, 4 tbsp coconut oil, 4 tbsp water, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp chocolate chips. Heat in in a microwave safe mug for one minute, and enjoy!
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