7 Unexpected Uses For Your Microwave

By Hilary Meyer, Associate Food Editor, EatingWell Magazine

Chances are you have a microwave sitting somewhere in your kitchen. They've gotten smaller over the years, but even the most svelte version takes up precious real estate. It's time to put that baby to work.

Here are seven unexpected uses for your microwave (and scroll below slideshow for homemade potato chip recipe):

Related: Does radiation from your microwave cause dangerous compounds in your food? Get the truth here.

Microwave Potato Chips
Active time: 30 minutes | Total: 30 minutes | To make ahead: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

You don't need a deep fryer to make crispy potato chips. We toss thinly sliced potatoes with just a touch of olive oil, pop them in the microwave and voila! Crispy, crunchy homemade potato chips with eight grams less fat per serving than regular chips.

1 1/3 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Slice potatoes into thin (1/8-inch) rounds. Toss the slices in a medium bowl with oil and salt to coat evenly.

2. Coat a large microwave-proof plate with cooking spray. Arrange some potato slices in a single layer on the plate. Microwave, uncovered, on High until some slices start to brown, 2 to 3 minutes (depending on potato thickness and microwave power). Turn the slices over and continue microwaving until they start to crisp and brown around the edges, 2 to 4 minutes more. Check frequently and rearrange slices as needed to prevent scorching. Transfer the chips to another plate and allow to cool completely. (They will crisp more as they cool.) Repeat with the remaining potato slices.

Makes 4 servings, 12-14 chips each.
Per serving: 141 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 2 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 291 mg sodium; 807 mg potassium.

How do you use your microwave?

By Hilary Meyer, EatingWell Associate Food Editor

EatingWell Associate Food Editor Hilary Meyer spends much of her time in the EatingWell Test Kitchen, testing and developing healthy recipes. She is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute.

More from EatingWell:

• 7 Tricks for Better Slow-Cooking in Your Crock Pot
• 5 Grocery Shopping Myths Busted
• 9 Simple Ways to Be a Better Cook
• 7 of the Healthiest Foods You Should Be Eating But Aren't

 

Follow EatingWell on Twitter: www.twitter.com/eatingwell

Comments

[Sam Hill 01]

01:11 PM on 02/23/2012

Does anyone own an above the range microwave oven? Let me know if it is worth the change.

[kac0120]

05:34 PM on 02/23/2012

no the cause can cer

[pepper1311]

04:29 AM on 02/24/2012

There ok, but the venting is weak.

[natal plum]

12:42 PM on 02/23/2012

There are probably about 50 unexpected uses for my microwaves. All those buttons and settings and I have only been able to figure out one. I put something in and punch in the time and then hit start. Water takes 2 minutes 10 seconds to boil a russett potato about 4 minutes to cook, pizza about 30 seconds to warm up and a frozen bagel about 25 seconds to thaw. Beyond that the thing is a mystery. The nine buttons and other pres-set buttons seem to have the same function as a blender with 46 speeds. They're all the same. I think. Although I have not been able to figure out anything other than "time and start" button I've only had the thing for 12 years. Maybe some day.

[jacmed]

11:47 AM on 02/23/2012

I've done all of these things for years - every one of them was noted in my original microwave instruction and recipe booklet some 30 years ago! However, I did not like the potato chips - they were hard (like today's kettle chips) and I hate hard chips. I don't understand why "hard" has become synonymous with "crisp."

[croshatch]

11:05 AM on 02/23/2012

Tip for bacon: leave out the bottom layer of paper towels, only put them on top of the bacon. And use a microwave safe, non-plastic plate. 1 minute per slice (approx.) in a 1100 watt unit on high. Check it and if it's not crispy enough, give it another 10 seconds or more.

[Darleen Chick]

10:37 AM on 02/23/2012

i store my bread in it that way animals.bugs or little hands do not get into it

[Ashley Smith0327]

10:35 AM on 02/23/2012

FIsh? er, no.

[joebikerchef]

09:10 AM on 02/23/2012

Use your 40$ convection toaster oven for chicken and fish...10-15 minutes and taste & texture will be much better.