While I love the idea of the hack, how safe is it to heat oil in the microwave? Thanks.

I feel if you are very careful about using the microwave to heat the oil you will be OK. Use glass, not plastic and heat in very short increments...10 seconds at a time (at least the first time you make). The recipe calls for a simmer, yet you do NOT want the oil to bubble around the edges. Check the oil temp with a thermometer, stirring the oil each time. Unfortunately, this recipe does not give a temperature for how hot the oil needs to be, but you don't want to fry the zest in any case. Be careful!