What? My microwave can do more than just reheat leftovers?! – Five cool ways to use your microwave

April 30th, 2015

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The majority of households around Australia have them, yet they are often only utilised when last night’s leftovers are calling. Well, here are five cool ways you get more from your microwave, and some might just surprise you…

1. Disinfecting and deodorizing sponges

How many times have you thrown out a perfectly good kitchen sponge because someone has wiped up stinky salmon juice or cleaned the bench after cutting raw chicken? Constantly restocking the kitchen with new sponges can be a pain, so why not save money and disinfect them?

Soak the sponge in water spiked with white vinegar or lemon juice, then pop it in the microwave on high for 1 minute. We recommend using an oven mitt to remove it, as it will be quite hot.

 2. Mug muffins, cakes and other goodies

Now, this is definitely a personal favourite, using the microwave to make delicious mug recipes. They’re fast, easy and always turn out yummy!

There are hundreds of great mug recipes that can be found floating around on the Internet, below is a winter favourite.

 Apple Cinnamon Mug Cake

 Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon applesauce
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 tablespoon milk
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

• 1 tablespoon room temp cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon milk

Directions

1. Prepare icing by whisking ingredients with fork until fairly smooth, then set aside.

2.In a small mug or ramekin, mix together dry ingredients very well. Add applesauce and mix until just combined (it will be thick and sticky) and then add veg oil, milk and vanilla and stir until wet; do not overmix.

3.Microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Top with Icing and serve. – Source The hungry hedgehog

3. Re-hydrating stale bread

There is nothing worse than trying to make a sandwich with stale bread. So to bring a bit of freshness back into your lunch, simply cover the bread with a water soaked kitchen paper towel, and pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Repeat the process until you find the bread is re-hydrated to your liking.

 4. Identifying Microwave-safe Containers

Use your microwave to test if a container is microwave safe or not, without actually ruining the container.

Step 1- Fill a cup that you already know to be microwave-safe with water.

Step 2- Place the cup of water on or in the container (Making sure not to pour the water into the container)

Step 3- Microwave them for one minute until the water starts boiling.

If the container you are testing is cool to touch then it is microwave safe, if it is warm or hot, then it should not be used it in the microwave.

 5. Dye fabric

It’s raining outside and the kids are complaining about how bored they are. Why not DIY dye shirts?  It’s easy and it’ll keep the kids entertained.

Step 1- Mix your choice of fabric dye with water in a large enough microwave safe container.

Step 2- Immerse your fabric.

Step 3- Pop the container in the microwave and heat for 4 minutes.

Step 4- Remove, rinse, dry – then enjoy your new dyed top or pants.

Source- http://blog.thisisinstitution.co.uk/?p=65

Now you know your microwave can do so much more than just pop popcorn or reheat yesterday’s tuna bake, what are you waiting for?

Happy microwaving everyone.