You might be surprised to learn that your microwave can do so much more than just heating up frozen dinners. With these clever microwave hacks, you can unlock its full potential and discover how versatile this handy kitchen appliance can be. From softening sugar to frothing milk, whipping up French toast, and beyond, these hacks will transform the way you use your microwave.
Nuke your garlic bulbs for 15 seconds and the skin will slide off like magic. This is because the water in the garlic steams and breaks down the bonds that exist between the clove and the skin for fast removal.
2. Rescue Stale Bread
If you have forgotten to completely close your bagel or bread bag, simply wrap the loaf in a moist paper towel and zap it for twenty seconds. The moisture in the towel will soak into the bread, making it fresh again, but not soggy.
3. Juice Fruit with Ease
Before juicing a lemon or orange, microwave the uncut fruit for ten seconds. The microwave will loosen the fibers inside the fruit and make it easier to juice every last drop!
Put a handful of nuts in a microwave-safe bowl, toss with some oil, and microwave in 60-second increments, stirring after every minute. Overall cooking time depends on the type of nut, but expect it to take around 5 minutes.
5. De-clump Brown Sugar
When your brown sugar is as hard as a rock, try this. Moisten a paper towel, place it in the sugar bag, then zap in the microwave for 25 seconds. The moisture from the towel will transfer to the sugar and make it easier to scoop.
6. Smooth Crystallized Honey
If your glass jar of honey has crystallized in the back of your cupboard, simply remove the lid, and heat it in the microwave for 30-40 second increments until it returns to its original smooth texture.
Hard root vegetables and squashes can be tough to peel. To make your job easier, place the vegetable in your microwave for 2-3 minutes on power and the skin should become more pliable for peeling and cutting – just be careful when removing the hot veggie so you don’t burn your skin.
8. Cook Crispier Bacon
Place a bowl upside down on a plate. Drape the bacon strips over the bowl, then microwave for one minute per slice of bacon. As its grease drips onto the plate, the bacon will become mouth-wateringly crispy.
9. Froth Milk
You don’t need an expensive cappuccino to froth your milk. Instead, pour some milk into a mason jar, no more than half full (to leave room for foam). Screw on the lid and vigorously shake for 30 to 60 seconds. The milk will turn to froth. Remove the lid and microwave for 30 seconds so the foam rises.
10. Concoct French Toast
Care for some tasty brunch? Rub a pat of butter on the bottom of a mug; fill to the top with chopped bread. In a separate cup, mix 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk, and a sprinkle of cinnamon with a fork. Pour the mixture into the cup and microwave for one minute.
Collard greens make delicious, healthy wraps, but are prone to cracking and splitting when stiff. To relax a leaf for a wrap, wash well and microwave for ten seconds.
12. Flavor Butter
Try this twist on classic bread and butter. Microwave 1 stick of cubed unsalted butter for 30-second intervals, until melted. Add a pinch of salt and fresh sage leaves. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until fragrant. Drizzle on bread for an earthy, savory flavor.
Source: rd
Images: depositphotos
Related Articles:
How to Get the Best Results from Your Slow Cooker
Do you have a slow cooker at home? If so, these tips will help you get the most out of it!
Say Goodbye to Fat with These 6 Great Fat-Burning Foods
If you're looking to lose some weight, you should add these 6 fat-burning foods to your diet.
Using These Strategies to Lose Weight Is Dangerous!
In this article you’ll find seven dangerous strategies that you should avoid at all costs when trying to lose weight.
If You're Hungry at Night, You Should Eat These Foods!
If you are partial to a midnight snack, here are 7 foods that you should consider eating.
Older Than 40? These Tips Will Help You Get a Beach Body!
The big 40 sneaks up on us. All of a sudden, it’s much easier to gain weight and much harder to lose it. Here's how to get a beach body when you're 40 or older.
These 14 Foods Can Help Can Help Kill Intestinal Parasites
There are millions of people around the world who are infected with parasites. Here are 14 foods that are very effective at dealing with them!
11 Reasons Why Garlic Is a Gardener's Best Friend
Not only is garlic extremely tasty, but it is also very effective in the garden. Check out its uses here.
The Ultimate Makeup Guide You Need in Your Life!
Learn how to prepare makeup for day-to-day as well as special occasions the right way thanks to the nifty tricks given by this life-saving infographic!
People Really Have No Idea What These English Words Mean!
A lot of people think they know how to use English words correctly, but they really don't! Here are 21 most misused words in the English language
Increase Your Home's Value with These Genius Tricks
Thinking of selling your home? Here's how to increase it's value.
Tutorial: How to Grow Roses Using the Stem Cuttings
This tutorial is only a few minutes long, but it gives you a very simple, straight-forward and practical way of growing your own rose bush from stem cuttings.
11 Uses of Nail Polish Remover That'll Surprise You
Nail polish remover does not only do what its name suggests. In fact, it has many other surprising uses, and here are 11 of them.
Calculate How Much Food & Drinks to Serve Your Guests
Planning out the perfect quantity of food for a party can seem like a tough task, but this guide makes it as easy as pie!
Avoid Spending Extra Cash on these Unnecessary Upgrades!
To make sure you don't have buyer's remorse after making a big electrical appliance purchase, avoid these upgrades!
Wow! Even We Were Amazed At These 11 Ingenious Tips
Everyone needs some tips in life, and these 11 are worth remembering because they'll help you solve a variety of problems, make life easier and save money!
What Are the Healthiest Cooking Oils? Find Out Here!
With so many oils available in shops nowadays, it's tricky to know which one to buy. This article gives you 9 of the healthiest oils on the market today,
Clear a Clogged Drain Without Using Any Chemicals
The clogged drains of your house don't always need chemicals. These natural homemade cleaners provide great results, too.
10 Useful Guides to Help You With Your Clothes
10 useful guides to help you in your daily struggle with clothes.
I Never Knew I Was Doing All These Things Wrong!
28 things we all do daily but somehow still get it wrong
A Better Way to Tie Your Gym Shorts or any Drawstring
Here's a nice new knot for you to try that is both incredibly strong and easy to do.
12 Indoor Gardening Hacks You Must Know
Even if you can’t say about yourself that you have a green thumb, you can try yourself with indoor gardening, and these 12 tips will help
Whoa! I Never Knew an Empty Plastic Bottle was So Useful
When you've finished with the contents of a plastic bottle, don't throw the bottle away as it can be used for so many different things.
Do You Know How to Use a Tape Measure? Are You SURE?
The humble tape measure is a more sophisticated tool than you thought...
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
4 Smart Ways to Keep Your Herbs Fresh
To help keep your herbs fresh and delicious for longer, we've compiled four tips for you.
7 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Maintaining Your Car
Seven mistakes we make with the car that cost us money.
Vodka Has Many More Uses Than You Ever Imagined!
Vodka is not just for use when you need a drink. Here are 16 uses for the Russian beverage that you've undoubtedly never thought of.
Stunning! The Evolution of Beauty From 1952 to Today
Our definition of beauty may change as years go by but these pictures prove that true beauty is timeless.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Olive Oil To Fry Or Braise Food
Stovetop cooking is very versatile, but most people are disappointed with this cooking method because they make one of these 10 mistakes...
13 Mistakes You’re Making in the Shower!
Do you take a shower every day? If so, you're already making one of the 13 shower mistakes most people aren't aware of. Discover them all in the next article.
The Perfect Morning Guide: How to Start Your Morning Right
Are your co-workers not allowed to talk to you before you’ve had a cup of coffee? You probably need to change up your morning routine!
11 Things You Should NEVER Dump Into the Kitchen Sink
Even a garbage disposal won’t be able to handle these 11 things, so make sure to toss them directly into the trash instead of the kitchen sink
20 Common Misconceptions That Took Me by Surprise!
We hear and are taught so many things, yet sometimes, wrong concepts get mixed with right ones and we end up with false misconceptions...
Tips and Tricks to Help You Choose the Freshest Vegetables
With the help of these science-based tricks, you will only choose the best vegetables at the supermarket to bring back home.
This Is Why You Should NOT Reboil Your Water!
It can be tempting to reboil water for your hot drinks. But when ordinary water is over boiled or reboiled, the chemical compounds change for the worse. Learn about it here.
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
21 Things a Burglar Could Tell You, But Certainly Won't
This post could save your possessions, or even your life, someday. That's why you have to make sure that you read it!
29 Facts That Show Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction
History is rich in plot twists and these amazing stories are strange but true, proving history is sometimes stranger than fiction. Which one of these will blow your mind?
We Bet You Never Knew Rubbing Alcohol Was This Useful!
Most people use rubbing alcohol for cuts or to cool a fever, but it has so many other fantastic uses. Here's 15 of them.
9 Facts You Didn’t Know About In-Flight Food And Drinks
Airplane food is notorious, but since we don't have any other options, the following 9 tips will make the culinary experience that much more enjoyable.
This Christmas, Make Some DIY Gifts for Our Loved Ones!
Make your loved ones feel extra special with these DIY Christmas gifts.
Your Saucepan is More Useful Than You Thought...
If only I had known these priceless kitchen hacks sooner!
These Sleep Secrets Are Only Known to a Few...
What are the things that will help make your sleep better?
14 Ingenious Organization Hacks to Declutter Your Closet
Here are 14 incredibly clever and easy tips and tricks everyone can master to organize your closet and make it a lot more spacious.
The 7 Dirtiest Spots in Your Home You Forget to Clean
Your home may not be as clean as you think. Here are seven dirty spots you are overlooking in your home
Eye-Relaxing Tips: Simple and Fast Exercises for Your Eyes
Do your eyes feel strained at the end of the day? These useful exercises will provide some relief.
13 Household Items You Never Knew Had an Expiry Date
Take note. These common household products do go bad.