Masterchef winner swears by this "beloved but underused" everyday kitchen item - for everyday elevated cooking

Sometimes, the best things are hidden in plain sight. Quite literally in this case, as Brithi's kitchen sidekick is an appliance we walk past every day.

In collaboration with research from Russell Hobbs, Masterchef winner Brithi Parathan, is on a quest to make cooking more effortless, yet still impressive. His revelation makes toasting nuts without burning them a breeze, it gets rice perfectly fluffy, and gives aromatic spices extra warmth.

And the most brilliant part is that we all have one - and we're probably using it everyday, just only for reheating leftovers. Yes, that's right. Brithi is reimagining the once humble microwave, making the most of the simple functions as well as the most modern launches too.

Brin Pirathapan is no stranger to putting a fresh, flavourful twist on the classics - and he's done it again , this time with the microwave. You probably use yours for reheating leftovers, getting your baked beans piping hot, or for fast ready meals and then you turn to your air fryer for cooking with more elements. But what if Brithi told you it could be used to cook a seriously impressive meal from scratch?

Russell Hobbs' research found that two thirds of us use our microwaves six times a week. And yet, according to Brithi, we're barely scratching the surface of what they can do. He explains, "there are a whole host of microwave-based tips and hacks that can make you more efficient in the kitchen and elevate your everyday ingredients." And I think you'll find they're inspired enough to win over even the laziest cook.

Take toasting nuts for example, a task Brithi swears by the microwave for. "Whether I'm making a delicious, vibrant pesto, or adding a toasted, crunchy element to a salad, I find it's much easier to do in the microwave than on the hob (mainly because I always end up burning them on the hob!)."

This is a trick that works just as well for spices, Brithi uses the same technique to toast them before grinding into curry powders, or adding whole into fragrant dishes, drawing out their warming aromas in the process.

And he doesn't stop at toasting. "Many everyday tasks that traditionally require a hob and a pan can be executed perfectly in a microwave," Brithi says, "such as cooking fluffy rice, making scrambled eggs to your liking, or even poaching fish."

These are all extras that work in favour of microwaves, especially in the air fryer vs microwave debate, but Brithi has a way to put it properly to the test: showing off how to make a meal from scratch.

Proof: Satay Udon Noodle Soup Recipe

The proof is in the cooking and Brithi is keen to show off what you can do with a Satay Udon Noodle Soup recipe. It's a quick dinner or lunch, delivering nutritious and delicious results. Importantly, it's all made from scratch, in the microwave.

Start by preparing the aromatics. Finely slice the spring onions. Separate the greens and the whites. Bash and dice the lemon grass. Peel and grate the garlic and ginger.

In a microwave-safe container or deep bowl, add the spring onion whites, lemon grass, garlic and ginger along with peanut butter, red curry paste, sesame oil, soy sauce and coconut milk. Mix well until combined, I use a small whisk.

Add beansprouts to the container, top with the noodles.

Cut the tofu into small 1x1cm cubes and add to the bowl.

Fill with 100 ml water and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Mix and then microwave again for 1 minute

To finish, add a squeeze of lime juice and top with the spring onion greens, chopped salted peanuts and a drizzle of chilli oil.

With our eyes opened to the many functions of the microwave, it's easy to see why Brithi has labelled it “is one of the most beloved but underused appliances in the kitchen." From toasting nuts to cooking a full meal from scratch, it might eb time to give yours a second look Let us know what alternative uses you discover for your microwave.