Obviously great for heating up leftovers, frozen meals, etc, but it generally gets a bad rap in the culinary world. However, I’ve noticed more chefs using the microwave when cooking - David Chang is a big fan of them. Many use them to help with prep.
As a home cook, I find that it saves time. I will often pre-cook veggies in microwave before putting them in a pan with oil. This works really well with Brussels sprouts. I’ve also microwaved a whole head of cauliflower before drizzling it with oil and spices and blasting it in a hot oven to get color on the exterior. Potatoes are also great in the microwave.
Do any of you use the microwave when cooking?
Edit: I forgot to mention one of my favorite uses for the microwave in cooking - for frying shallots and garlic!
https://www.seriouseats.com/fry-garlic-shallots-in-microwave
If you want a scrambled egg patty for like a breakfast sandwich or something, the microwave is fine. Beat the egg, add a splash of water to lighten it up, and then dump it into a container with a diameter that matches your desired sandwich size.
Microwave until patty is cooked. It’s fine, tastes like egg, has the appropriate texture.
Great for this. My wife does this all the time.