Amazing Lifehacks With Your Microwave

The microwave is a great time-saver for many simple jobs, including, to name a few, thawing ice cream, melting butter, and reheating leftovers, but there are a few surprising situations when it really shines. Here are some of our most astounding microwave hacks.

Bubble Milk

Want to brew a cappuccino but lack the necessary foaming tools? Milk should be poured into a covered jar halfway, then shaken firmly. Pour the milk into your coffee after removing the lid and microwaving for 30 seconds. As desired, add milk foam to your coffee.

Toasting nuts and coconut

Coconut and nuts taste much better when they are toasted, but because of their high fat content, they are more likely to burn on the burner or in the oven. Put them in the microwave for 30 second intervals, or until they are toasted and fragrant (for the coconut) (for nuts).

Garlic peeling

The peels will easily come off the cloves of garlic after 20 seconds in the microwave.

Herbs Drying

Do you have an overgrown garden? Fresh herbs should be spread out on a paper towel with another towel on top. Microwave in 30-second intervals until the herbs are well dried. Place in a closed container and keep the container at room temperature. Citrus peel also works great for this.

Candy de Leche

If you still want dulce de leche but can't bear the thought of opening a sealed can, open a can of sweetened condensed milk into a microwave-safe bowl, cover it, and microwave it in 2-minute intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired level of caramelization.

Collards Softening

Collard green leaves are our obsession when it comes to using them as wraps for sandwiches. To get them soft enough to roll, thoroughly wash them, layer them in a circle, and then zap for 10 seconds.

Poached Eggs

Crack an egg into a bowl or mug with 1/2 cup water, cover, and cook for practically immediate poached eggs. For just-set eggs, microwave for about a minute. If you prefer them more done, repeat the process at 10-second intervals.

Peeling a Cob of Corn

If you only need a few cobs roasted and husked fast, this method is useful. Just cut off the root end of the cob with a serrated knife just above the "shoulder," and then microwave the entire cob for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on your microwave. When it's finished, gently shake the cob by the silk end until the husk comes off.

Fried potatoes

Yes, I do. Mandoline-slice thinly, fully dry after cleaning, brush with olive oil, and then spread out on a platter. 3 minutes in the microwave, then turn it over, and 3 more minutes.

Fresh Homemade Cheeses

In a microwave-safe container, combine 1 cup milk and 1 cup lemon juice together with a dash of salt. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir to separate the curds from the whey, then strain and squeeze the cheesecloth to the desired firmness.