Cooking Uses for Your Microwave

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If you use this gizmo only to zap popcorn or heat up leftovers, prepare to be impressed. Here are more than 20 ways your microwave can save you time in the kitchen.

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Soften Butter

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Place cut-up butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on low (power level 3) in 20-second intervals, checking in between.

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Melt Butter

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Place cut-up butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium (power level 5) in 30-second intervals, checking in between.

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Melt Chocolate

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Place chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

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Soften Cream Cheese

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Place cut-up cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 15 to 20 seconds.

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Soften Ice Cream

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Remove top and liner (if any) of carton. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 10-second intervals, checking in between, until ice cream reaches desired consistency.

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Soften Brown Sugar

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Place sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon water (regardless of the quantity of sugar). Cover and microwave on low (power level 3) in 1-minute intervals, tossing in between, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes.

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Warm Tortillas

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Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 40 seconds to 1 minute.

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Warm Maple Syrup

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Place syrup in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 15-second intervals, checking in between.

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Toast Fresh Bread Crumbs

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Spread ½ cup fresh bread crumbs on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1-minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

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Toast Coconut

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Spread ½ cup shredded coconut on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1-minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

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Toast Pine Nuts and Sliced Almonds

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Spread nuts on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1-minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

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Cook Bacon

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Sandwich 6 slices of bacon between 2 double layers of paper towels. Place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.

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Steam Asparagus And Green Beans

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Place 1 pound of trimmed asparagus or green beans in a microwave-safe baking dish with 1 tablespoon water. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover immediately.

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Steam Carrots

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Place 1 pound thinly sliced carrots in a microwave-safe baking dish with 1 tablespoon water. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Uncover immediately.

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Steam Artichokes

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Place 2 trimmed artichokes in a deep microwave-safe baking dish with 1 tablespoon water. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

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Cook Winter Squash

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Cut squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Place cut-side down in a microwave-safe baking dish. Microwave on high (power level 10) until tender and easily pierced with a paring knife, 10 to 13 minutes for a medium (3-pound) butternut or spaghetti squash; 6 to 8 minutes for a medium (1½-pound) acorn squash. Let stand for 5 minutes.

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Make Applesauce

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In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 pound peeled and diced apples (Macintosh, Fuji, or Gala are best) with ¼ cup water, 2 teaspoons sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until the apples are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Mash with a fork or potato masher.

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Bake a Potato

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Rub a potato with olive oil and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high (power level 10) until tender and easily pierced with a paring knife, 12 to 14 minutes.

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Cook Corn on the Cob

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Place unshucked corn on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 6 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the husks and silk.

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Poach Salmon

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Season pieces of skinless salmon fillet with salt and pepper and place in a shallow microwave-safe baking dish with 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or rice vinegar (to add flavor) and enough water to reach halfway up the fish. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until the fish is opaque throughout, 3 to 4 minutes. If the fish is not fully cooked, microwave, covered, on high in 45-second intervals. Remove from liquid and serve.

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Make Polenta

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In a microwave-safe baking dish or large bowl, whisk together ¾ cup cornmeal, 3 cups water, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) for 3 minutes. Stir, cover, and microwave on high until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter.

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Cook Rice

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In a microwave-safe baking dish or medium bowl, combine 1 cup long-grain white rice, 2 cups water, and ½ teaspoon salt. Microwave, uncovered, on high (power level 10) until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.

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Make Popcorn

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Place ½ cup popcorn kernels in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil. Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high (power level 10) until the majority of the kernels have popped, 3 to 5 minutes.

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23 Cooking Uses for Your Microwave

1 of 23

Soften Butter

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Melt Butter

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Melt Chocolate

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Soften Cream Cheese

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Soften Ice Cream

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Soften Brown Sugar

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Warm Tortillas

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Warm Maple Syrup

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Toast Fresh Bread Crumbs

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Toast Coconut

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Toast Pine Nuts and Sliced Almonds

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Cook Bacon

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Steam Asparagus And Green Beans

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Steam Carrots

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Steam Artichokes

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Cook Winter Squash

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Make Applesauce

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Bake a Potato

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Cook Corn on the Cob

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Poach Salmon

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Make Polenta

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Cook Rice

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Make Popcorn

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