Professional Chefs Swear By These Simple Microwave Hacks
Microwaves are the go-to for reheating leftovers and popping popcorn, but professional chefs use it for much more. There are many ways you can use your microwave to make your time in the kitchen more efficient. By understanding the ins and outs of this appliance, you can perform complex tasks in a fraction of the time.
These simple hacks will help you elevate your home cooking and reduce your daily kitchen stress.
Soften chocolate
Many people use the microwave to melt chocolate, but it can also be used to make hard chocolate less brittle. Chef Gale Gand shared that she uses her microwave to soften chocolate before shaving it into thin curls with a vegetable peeler.
Be sure to heat the chocolate in five second bursts to ensure it doesn't melt completely.
Dehydrate herbs
Fresh herbs often go to waste before you can finish the bundle, but a microwave can save them in minutes. Place clean, dry herb leaves between two layers of paper towels on a microwave safe plate.
Heat them in thirty second intervals until they become brittle and crumble easily between your fingers. This method preserves the color and aroma much better than slow air drying or using a hot oven at home.
Blanch garlic
Blanching is the technique of boiling garlic cloves for a short period of time before dropping them in an ice bath to remove bitterness while maintaining their shape and texture. Chef Rick Bayless has an even quicker way to do this by using the microwave.
Place your peeled garlic cloves in a microwave-safe bowl and cover them with water. Microwave the bowl for one minute at full power for perfectly blanched garlic.
Cook bacon
Cooking bacon in a skillet can be time-consuming and messy. Chef Matthew Accarrino revealed his secret weapon when it comes to cooking bacon: the microwave. Accarrino places bacon on a plate in between two layers of paper towel. He then microwaves the bacon for three to five minutes, checking in at 30 second intervals. The paper towels absorb the excess grease, leaving you with a much crunchier breakfast.
"It ends up being way less mess and I'm able to focus on the eggs," says Accarrino.
Steam broccoli
With chef Jordan Rubin's handy microwave trick, you don't need a bulky steamer basket to get perfectly tender broccoli for your dinner. Simply place your chopped broccoli on a plate covered with a damp towel and microwave for one to two minutes.
This method is incredibly fast and softens the broccoli without sacrificing its vibrant green color.
Embracing your microwave as a legitimate cooking tool can save you significant time and effort every single day. These techniques are used in high end kitchens to streamline preparation and ensure that every ingredient is handled with care.
Next time you're in a rush, remember that a little bit of science can help you achieve professional results.