There’s no denying that microwave has made our lives easier.
We all know what a microwave oven is for right? and If you’re going to invest your money in buying a really good microwave oven, you better make it work harder than just reheating your food.
Despite rumors of microwaves being cancer-inducing, many of us are still avid users. Beyond heating up food and making oatmeal, here are more hacks your kitchen’s most treasured item can be used for.
Here are 4 things you can do with your microwave.
Slice Onion Without Tears
The unintentional tears we shed while cutting onions can be annoying, so this is definitely a welcome idea. Trim the ends of the onions and place it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Soak Beans
Plan to make moi-moi or akara but forgot to soak the beans? Don’t worry! Your microwave’s got you! Put the beans in a bowl, add a pinch of bicarbonate soda (sold in baking shops)and submerge the beans in water. Let it stand for 30 to 40 minutes. Bring your beans out and wash.
Bake Potato
To make chips, slice your potatoes and arrange them in a single layer on a plate. Let them sit in the microwave for about 3 minutes and flip them over. Continue till it becomes crispy.
Peel Garlic
Place the garlic in the microwave and let it stay in for 20 seconds. The cloves will slide out of their skin when you bring them out.
This does not however mean that you should microwave everything. Some things do not have any business in the microwave. They include:
Broccoli: This vegetable can lose up to 97% of its nutrients when placed in a microwave.
Food Covered In Plastic Wraps Or Containers: Food wrapped in plastics bags like ziploc can release harmful toxic chemicals into food.
Frozen Fruits: When frozen fruits are placed in a microwave, beneficial galactoside and glucoside in fruits can be converted into cancer-inducing substances.
Frozen Meat: Defrosting meat in a microwave is not the best thing to do, as it can lose half of its B-12 content if cooked in a microwave for over 6 minutes. This is because bacteria can grow and multiply when meat reaches 40 – 140°F.