We all have those days when we're in the mood for some yummy food, but the thought of preparing a full meal on the stovetop or in the oven just instantly kills our appetite. You would much rather reach for a bag of chips to satiate your hunger than cook. For days like these when your laziness gets the better of you, a handy kitchen gadget could be your saviour. Say hello to the microwave!

Most people don't realize that there's so much more to microwaves than just heating leftovers. Most people do not utilize their microwave's full potential. Microwaves are an excellent tool for quick, easy, and healthy cooking. Despite newer microwave models having many functions, most people use their microwaves only for reheating and defrosting their food. Read on to know some simple tips, hacks, and recipes that do not take much time, require limited and straightforward ingredients, and are perfect for a lazy day.

Mug Recipes

Equipped with just a mug and 3–4 ingredients at most, you can make a variety of dishes, even some yummy cakes to satisfy your cravings for something sweet. These recipes do not take too much time, and the best part is that you won't have too many dishes to clean once you're done!

Mug Cake

• You'd be lying if you say the thought of making a delicious cake under 10 minutes doesn't excite you. This cake-for-one is a perfect quick fix for your sweet tooth.
• Mix three tablespoons all-purpose flour, three tablespoons sugar, two tablespoon cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the mug. Whisk these dry ingredients well and add in three tablespoons milk and three tablespoons vegetable oil. Mix until the batter is smooth and has no lumps. Make sure you use a mug that is big enough and has someplace for the flour to rise. You can add some chocolate chips on top for some added flavour. Microwave for 90-105 seconds (depending on your microwave's power) and let it cool for at least two minutes before you dig in!

Scrambled Eggs

• Microwave scrambled eggs are a great way of getting your dose of protein for breakfast, and they only take about two minutes to make - perfect for when you're short on time (or the motivation to cook!)
• To make this quick and easy dish, crack open an egg into a microwave-safe mug, add around one tablespoon of milk, season with salt and pepper, and beat with a fork till it's well blended. Pop this in the microwave for about 90 seconds, taking it out midway to stir and mix, and voila! Your fluffy and soft scrambled eggs are ready.

Use the right utensils for food safety

One of the most important things to keep in mind when using the microwave is only to use containers that are marked microwave safe. Although the microwave might be a handy tool, it has its cons as well. Radiations are not too good for the body, hence, prevent those with the right set of utensils, mixed with the correct temperatures and of course- only the microwaveable ingredients.

High cooking temperatures can cause certain materials to break down, or even melt, contaminating the food. Microwave-safe containers will not overheat or melt, and will not be too hot to handle once they're out of the microwave. Even then, some microwave containers will only be safe for reheating and not cooking or boiling.

Confusing, right? Therefore, here, at Ellementry, we have a variety of beautiful handcrafted microwave-safe plates, mugs, and bowls that are sustainable and food-safe, perfect for all your microwave cooking. We also have details on which one serves which purpose, so you can suit yourself.

Some more purposes for which the microwave can come handy:

Revive stale bread

You planned on making yourself a fancy sandwich, or even simple peanut butter and jelly, only to realize you left your bread out in the open and now it's all dried out, hard, and stale. All you need to bring back your bread to its or softness is a paper towel! Moisten the paper towel (make sure it's not dripping wet) and wrap your bread in it. Place the covered loaf or slice of bread in a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 10 seconds, and that's it! This will freshen up your bread and bring back its soft texture.

Cook vegetables

Healthy eating is often time-consuming because of how long it takes to meal prep and cook. Depending on how much you're cooking and your microwave wattage, you can cook your vegetables in just a few minutes. A super quick and easy-to-make meal is the humble salad. Just chop up some carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and other vegetables that you enjoy, spread them out evenly on a microwave-safe dish and cook them on high for two to four minutes; and you're done! Season with some salt and pepper and your favourite dressings, and that is it. If you're feeling a little extra lazy, stock up on bags of mixed frozen vegetables to save on the chopping time. Just follow the instructions on the bag, and you're good to go.

Also Read - How to add flare to a simple breakfast – Egg Cups

Soak beans

If your recipe calls for beans that were soaked overnight, but you forgot to set them out the night before, soaking them in the microwave will do the trick. Submerge your beans in a bowl of water, add a pinch of baking soda, cover with a lid, and microwave on high for 10-15 minutes, taking it out occasionally to stir. Once done, let the container sit for about 30 minutes, and your "overnight" soaked beans are ready.

Food safety is one of the essential brand pillars at Ellementry. We believe that Food safety is all about safe practices, including your ingredients, cooking techniques, cleanliness, and using the right utensils! We make sure our products are ethically crafted with good manufacturing practices. We pay special attention to the quality of materials used to make the product and its finishes.

Great products set the stage for your food and don't force themselves into the act. They only make the food better. We, at Ellementry, are all about making great products that ensure food safety. Learn more about our sustainable and food-safe products at ellementry.com and make these beautifully handcrafted kitchenwares and tablewares a part of your home!