Microwave oven is often underestimated in the kitchen, assigned to merely reheating leftovers or popping popcorn. However, this revolutionary kitchen appliance is capable of much more than meets the eye.

Since their introduction in 1967, modern kitchens have undergone a revolution in culinary convenience, transforming how we approach meal preparation and cooking. The versatility of a microwave oven is its most attractive feature, being able to do much more than just reheating leftovers. 

From steaming vegetables to baking desserts, a microwave oven offers quick and efficient ways to prepare a variety of dishes. Join us as we explore the 5 innovative cooking methods you can do with a microwave oven. Whether you’re short on time or looking to simplify your cooking routine, these methods showcase the value and versatility of the microwave oven.

What is a Microwave Oven?

In technical terms, a microwave oven is an electric oven that utilises microwaves to heat up or cook food quickly and efficiently. These microwaves penetrate the food, causing the water molecules inside to vibrate, thereby generating heat through friction to heat or cook food.

The microwave oven’s rapid heating process allows for swift and convenient cooking or reheating of various foods and dishes, making the appliance a popular choice for many, especially those with busy lifestyles.

Moreover, microwave ovens come in various sizes and configurations, offering versatility in any culinary task you desire. From big to small, built-in to countertop, the microwave oven caters to diverse kitchen needs and preferences, providing a range of options for households of all sizes and layouts.

5 Ways to Use a Microwave Oven

A microwave oven sounds convenient and versatile, but what else can it do besides cooking and heating food? Look no further and read on to discover the different ways a microwave oven can be used in the kitchen, whether to simplify a cooking process or create new recipes with fewer and more manageable steps.

Cooking

Cooking with the microwave oven offers quick and convenient solutions for preparing meals. From cooking a meal as simple as rice to a dish like pasta, the appliance excels in rapid heating and cooking. 

With the right techniques and accessories, you can efficiently cook small portions of meat or vegetables. A microwave oven’s ability to cook food evenly and preserve nutrients makes it a valuable tool for busy cooks who want to streamline their cooking process without sacrificing flavour or nutrition.

Here’s a great way you can cook vegetables with a microwave oven:

1. Cut your vegetables roughly the same size and spread them out on a shallow microwave oven-safe dish for even cooking. 
2. To increase the water content of fresh vegetables, sprinkle two tablespoons of water over them and up to ⅓ cups of water for older or denser vegetables. Once in the microwave oven, the water will convert into steam.
3. Cover the dish with its lid or plastic wrap and cook it in the microwave oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Ensure you turn the vegetables over halfway through cooking.
4. Once it is done cooking, remove the lid or plastic wrap to allow the hot steam to escape before enjoying it.

Baking

Baking in a microwave oven is a fast and efficient alternative to baking in a traditional oven. While the microwave oven may not produce the same results in taste and size, it can still create delicious baked goods in a fraction of the time.

You can easily whip up mini cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and even cookies in the microwave oven. Just be sure to use microwave oven-safe accessories when baking! You can be creative with your recipe by creating innovative baked goods like mug cakes.

Do you want to know how to bake a mug cake in a microwave oven? Here’s how:

1. In a large microwave oven-safe mug, pour in a mixture of ¼ cup of flour, ¼ cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, ⅛ of baking soda, and ⅛ of salt. 
2. Then, stir in 3 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of canola oil, 1 tablespoon of water, and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
3. Put it in the microwave oven and bake for 2 minutes or until the cake is completely cooked in the middle.
4. Once it is done, take it out and enjoy!

Grilling

A microwave oven allows you to enjoy the savoury, charred flavour of grilled food without hassle. Using microwave oven-safe grill plates or racks, you can quickly grill meats, vegetables, and even sandwiches to perfection. 

While it may not replicate the exact texture you’ll get from traditional grilling methods, a microwave oven offers a fast and efficient way to enjoy grilled dishes, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or when outdoor grilling isn’t feasible.

Grilling chicken can easily be done in a microwave oven. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Before grilling, marinate your chicken in any type of marinade you like, like teriyaki or the classic lemon and herb.
2. Once done marinating, place the chicken on microwave oven-safe grill plates or racks.
3. Place it in the microwave oven and set it to 15 minutes. Remember to turn the chicken over halfway through to ensure it is evenly and thoroughly cooked.
4. After 15 minutes, brush the chicken with leftover marinade or oil and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes.
5. Take it out of the microwave oven and enjoy.

Steaming

If you’re a fan of steamed foods, from vegetables to seafood, a microwave oven can offer that, too. Contrary to popular opinion, steaming in a microwave oven does retain nutrients and natural flavours in food, so don’t worry about it being a quick but unhealthy alternative.

With the aid of microwave oven-safe steaming containers or microwave oven steam bags, you can effortlessly prepare a variety of steamed dishes in minutes. The gentle heat generated by the microwave oven ensures even cooking throughout, resulting in tender and flavourful meals.

Here’s how to steam fish in a microwave oven, ensuring it remains tender and rich in flavour:

1. In a glass dish, drizzle a little bit of oil before putting the fish inside.
2. Once the fish is in the glass dish, season it generously with salt and pepper, herbs, or any seasoning or sauces you like. Then, pour in 2 to 3 tablespoons of water.
3. Cover it loosely with a lid or aluminium foil and let it steam in the microwave oven for 4 to 5 minutes. This timing depends on the fish’s thickness.
4. Check halfway through to see if it’s thoroughly cooked.
5. Once done, serve immediately.

Defrosting

Can you only cook in a microwave oven? Of course not – you can also defrost frozen foods. From meat and poultry to frozen baked goods, you can safely thaw them in the microwave oven quickly and efficiently.

Most microwave ovens are equipped with specific defrosting programs, so thawing foods or ingredients in a microwave oven won’t compromise their texture or flavour. Defrosting in a microwave oven significantly reduces waiting time compared to traditional thawing methods, making it ideal for busy households or last-minute meal preparation.

Here’s how to defrost your meat safely in a microwave oven:

1. Remove meat from the freezer and place it in a microwave oven-safe container.
2. Depending on the weight of the meat, the time it takes to defrost will vary. For smaller cuts of meat, time it up to 10 minutes, while bigger cuts may take up to 30 minutes.
3. Place it in the microwave oven and press the defrost button. If there is no defrost button, set your microwave oven to cook at a fraction of its full power.
4. Periodically flip the meat throughout the defrosting process for even thawing.
5. Once it is done, cook the meat immediately.

Looking for a built-in microwave oven? Visit Fujioh Malaysia today!

Now that you’ve learned about a microwave oven’s versatility and convenience, head to FUJIOH to discover the right one to complete your modern kitchen. FUJIOH’s built-in microwave oven offers 8 auto-cook menus on top of its grill feature to alleviate the burden of cooking on a busy day.

If you require more information on microwave ovens, contact us at FUJIOH Malaysia or email enquiry@fujioh.my.