These days, we all have microwaves - and they are great for heating up leftovers or popcorn....
But when they first became popular - people would cook all sorts of things in them! Whole chicken anyone?
So, in an effort to try and get more use from ours - I've compiled a quick list of easy recipes and hacks to share!
Roast Garlic:
Cut the tops of a full bulb of Garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with Olive oil and season with Salt and Pepper. Add 1 1/2 Tbsp Water to the dish, cover, and microwave for 3 minutes. Check for doneness, and continue with 1 minute intervals until desired.
Soften Butter:
Microwave cut up butter on low (level 3) in 20 second intervals, checking after each one.
Melt Butter:
Microwave cut up butter on medium (level 5) in 30 second intervals, checking after each one.
French Toast for 1:
Cube 2 slices of Bread. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 Egg, 2 Tbsp Milk, a pinch of Cinnamon and a drop of Vanilla. Add bread and mix until soaked up. Spray a mug with non-stick spray and dump the bread mixture in. Microwave 1 minute, until done. Keep adding 15 second intervals until egg has cooked through.
Melt Chocolate:
Microwave on high (level 10) in 30 second intervals, stirring, until smooth
Soften Cream Cheese:
Microwave on high (level 10) for 20 seconds
Softened Brown Sugar:
Sprinkle Brown Sugar with 1 teaspoon water (it doesn't matter how much sugar), microwave on low (level 3) in 1 minute intervals, tossing until soft - usually about 4 - 5 minutes.
Warm Tortillas:
Wrap in damp paper towels and microwave for 40 seconds
Warm Maple Syrup:
Microwave on high (level 10) in 15 second intervals, until desired
Chocolate Chip Cookie For 1:
Melt 1 Tbsp Butter in a mug. Stir in 1 Tbsp Sugar and Brown Sugar each. Add 3 drops Vanilla, Pinch of Salt, 1 Egg Yolk, 1/4 cup Flour with 1 Tbsp removed and 2 Tbsp Chocolate Chips. Microwave for 50 seconds, and let stand 2 minutes before eating.
Toast Fresh Breadcrumbs:
Microwave 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs spread on a plate on high (level 10) for 1 minute intervals, tossing between, until golden, 1 - 2 minutes
Toast Coconut:
Spread 1/2 cup Coconut on a plate and microwave on high in 1 minute intervals, for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing in between
Toast Pine Nuts and Almond Slices:
On a plate, microwave on high in 1 minute intervals, tossing in between, for 4 to 5 minutes.
Cook Bacon:
Place up to 6 slices of bacon between a few sheets of paper towels. Microwave on high until cooked, 4 to 5 minutes.
Steam Asparagus, Carrots or Green Beans:
Place up to 1 pound of Asparagus or Green Beans in a baking dish with 1 Tablespoon of water. Cover, and microwave until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. For the Carrots, slice them thin, and they can take up to 6 minutes.
Cook Winter Squash:
Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place cut side down and microwave on high until tender and can easily perce with a knife. A medium Butternut or Spaghetti squash (3 lbs) can take 10 to 13 minutes but a medium Acorn squash (1 1/2 lbs) can take 6 to 8 minutes. Let them stand for 5 minutes before removing from the microwave, to continue steaming.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for 1:
Melt 2 Tbsp Butter. Stir in 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter, 1/2 tsp Vanilla, 1 Egg, 2 Tbsp Sugar, 2 Tbsp Flour, 3 Tbsp Cocoa, 1/8 tsp Salt, 1/8 tsp Baking Powder and 3 Tbsp Chocolate Chips. Microwave 1 to 2 minutes until desired doneness.
Bake a Potato:
Wash a potato and microwave, uncovered, on high until tender and easily pierced, about 12 - 14 minutes.
Cook Corn on the Cob:
Microwave un-shucked corn on high for 6 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before removing, to continue steaming.
Poach Salmon:
Season Salmon fillets with salt and pepper and place in a baking dish. Add enough water to come up halfway the fillet, and 2 Tablespoons of White Wine or Rice Vinegar for flavour. Cover and microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, until cooked. Drain liquid and serve.
Cook Rice:
Combine 1 cup Rice and 2 cups Water (or any 1:2 ratio) in a bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high, until Rice is tender, 15 to 18 minutes.
Make Popcorn:
Place 1/2 cup Popcorn kernels in a large bowl with 1 Tablespoon of Oil. Cover with a plate, and microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until the kernel popping has dramatically slowed, or stopped.
Do you have any Microwave recipes (or short cuts)? Please share in the comments below!