Help! Need quick, easy, yummy microwave recipes!

[unionworks]

I have had to move into a motel due to the terrible economy here. I have my own microwave, large and powerful, with a browning element. If I have to eat one more frozen dinner I will gag. I also have a small fridge/freezer for ingedients. Cost is an issue, as is time and availability/storage life of ingredients. All ideas are welcome.

[cbayer]

1. Hello, unionworks, and welcome to C & B!

Bacon is great from the microwave. My husband uses an egg poacher he got at target to make his eggs, and it's his favorite way to fix them. Baked potatoes and sausages/hot dogs of all kinds come out great. Trader Joe's has a lot of things like thai and indian foods that are microwaveable, as well as fresh vegetables that you can cook right in the bag.

Our microwave is weak and draws too much electricity, so we don't use it that much, but there are some interesting looking websites out there. If you are on your own, this one might be really good for you:


http://www.microwavecookingforone.com/

Now get cooking!!

[unionworks]

2. Thanks

Haven't triedd to bake a potato yet, but this nuke does have that function. In fact it has a lot of magic buttons, but I once tried a steak and it came out like shoe leather. It would help to hear from folks who have cooked with raw materials in their nukes, who know what the little tricks are to keep things from going horribly wrong and throwing away expensive ingredients. Thank you so much for your kind welcome. I am also considering making a compilation of such recipes to share with others in similar situation.

[Denninmi]

3. Rice dishes are easy in microwaves, too.

You can do a "one pot" dish with a meat, some type of sauce, vegetables, and rice. For example, I often do a tomato-sauced chicken and rice:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves or thighs, cut into 2-3 pieces each.
One small onion, chopped
2-3 tablespoons of oil
1/2 cup each celery and green pepper, diced
1/2 cup carrots, cut into slices about 1/2 inch thick or other vegetable of your choice -- mushrooms, eggplant, summer squash would all work well, too.
2 bay leaves
1 medium can of tomato sauce (15.5 ounces I believe is standard)
1 medium can stewed tomatoes (same size as the sauce)
dash each of cinnamon, garlic powder, black pepper (to taste)

You can do this all in one microwave safe glass bowl. Start by combining the onion, oil, and chicken pieces in the bowl, move them around to coat with oil, put on a piece of plastic wrap, and microwave on high for about 5-6 minutes, or until mostly cooked through. Add the rest of the above ingredients, cover again, and microwave on high for about 30 minutes. If it seems to be getting dried out, add water to make about the original volume, because you will need liquid to cook the rice.

Then, add 2/3rds of a cup of rice of your choice, white or brown. Could also use quinoa or even a tiny pasta like orzo. Mix well into the sauce, cover, and cook on high until the rice or pasta is fully cooked, taking it out a few times and scraping down the sides to make sure nothing sticks on and begins to burn. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid because different types of rice absorb at different rates, and you also will want to fine tune this for the consistency you want -- I do this anywhere from very dry with all of the liquid absorbed to almost soupy, depending upon the mood.

[unionworks]

6. Chicken Denninmi

.... almost brought tears to my eyes! Honestly, in my mind I could see and SMELL it cooking! I will try this, thanks so much. I may need to use microwave safe plastic bowl, when on the move breakables are a no-no, though I know it would taste better in glass!

[Denninmi]

11. Plastic is ok as long as you know its microwave safe.

At least from the "won't melt" standpoint. Not sure long-term about what might leach out into the food from plastic. I always suggest glass bowls when I post an online recipe just because you never know what plastics might melt under heat, and I'd hate to be responsible for a big mess in someone's oven.

[unionworks]

15. I understand your concerns

...but the reality is when you have to pack your belongings into your car and unpack, a box full of broken glass is worse than useless. There are more people joining the ranks of the marginalized every day. During the depression people came up with great on the move - substitute based recipes. I want to see the modern versions.

[bananas]

4. Fluffy omelets and French Toast

Whip some eggs with a fork, or shake up a carton of egg-beaters. What's really cool is that the liittle air bubbles expand as its heated and the whole omelet expands like a balloon while it's cooking (it shrinks back down when the microwave turns off).

Spray a plate with Pam and put it in the microwave, then pour the eggs into it. 4 ounces of eggbeaters takes about 3 minutes to cook. If you don't use Pam the eggs stick to the plate and are hard to clean off. I use microwavable paper plates and Pam them anyway.

You can add cheese before or after cooking, and you can add fresh or frozen vegetables before cooking, just increase the cooking time.

For French Toast, put two slices of bread on the plate before you pour the eggs in. Two slices of bread won't fit on a plate unless you break one in half and arrange the two halves next to the whole slice. Garnish with cinnamon, unsalted sweet cream butter, and 100% pure maple syrup. Or just cinnamon if you don't want the extra calories and cholesterol.

Covering the eggs with a paper plate makes them cook more evenly, otherwise the center may need more cooking time.

[unionworks]

7. I have cooked eggbeaters

In the nuke to make a quasi caaserole, but I never thought of french toast! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

[bananas]

17. They're really good but I got the measurements wrong.

8 oz of eggbeaters cooks in 3 minutes,
and I use two slices of bread with a 16 oz carton of eggbeaters. That's a lot to eat, you have to be really hungry.

[unionworks]

24. That is a problem

...of living alone. Few recipes are for single servings. Thanks for the corretion, bananas!

[unionworks]

9. great info!

Once last fall, a guy in the next room had a tiny charcoal grill outside. On top, he had a. Bunch of food wrapped in foil cooking. It took hours, but when he invited me to try it, it was one of the best grill cooked meals I ever tasted. Simple meat, carrots and potatos seasoned to perfection, the meat was like a stew meat but literally melted in your mouth, the veggies bursted with their natural juices as you bit into them. I guess some people just have a magic touch... must have been gypsy blood.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. get a hotplate

then you can fry and boil - it will increase your options exponentially.

been there, done that, so I know how you feel. I just wish I'd thought of getting one my first 6 months there instead of the last 2.

[unionworks]

10. Thanks

I already got a sandwich griller.

[unionworks]

13. Excellent post

Hotplates have probably killed more marginalized people than I want to think about. Yours is a great and safe alternative.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

31. they are no more dangerous than a regular stove

as long as they are used with the same precautions.

[unionworks]

14. Think Utilitarian

TI realize that there are some fine cooks in this forum. But try to place yourself in this situation. I am looking more for Rachel Ray than Chef Ramsey

[unionworks]

16. such a simple challenge

..but, perhaps, one that some see as unworthy? I read that during the depression, people came up with many great recipes that employed substitutes for unavailible ingredients, and emphasized simple wholesome goodness and maximum simplicity of preperation under less than ideal circumstances. I am looking for the modern equivalent.

[GoCubsGo]

18. Burritos and quesadillas are pretty easy to make in the microwave.

I don't have any specific recipes, but you can cook or heat up the ingredients of your choice. Soften the tortilla in the microwave, fill it, and wrap it. Since you have a browning element, you can toast it, if you like. Heck, I can't see why you couldn't make enchiladas or taco filling in the microwave, too. Cheese enchiladas would be really easy to make, especially since you can buy decent canned enchilada sauces and pre-shredded cheese.

BTW, there are all sorts of pre-cooked rice and pasta products available, such as the ones from Knorr and Uncle Ben's. They come in pouches and are pre-seasoned, often with some kind of sauce. All one has to do is heat them up. They're great for doctoring with meat, canned beans, and/or fresh or frozen veggies. You can also make couscous and Rice-a-Roni type products in the microwave. If you have coupons and find a sale you can get them for next to nothing. Sometimes free. The downside is that they tend to be high in salt. But, if you stretch them out with meat and veggies, it's not so bad.

I also bake potatoes in the microwave. And, that's how I steam my vegetables, and I sometimes make bacon in it, too.

[unionworks]

19. Thanks GoCubs

I have eaten frozen burritos/chimichangas etc. ad infinitum. Lots of good fiber and tasy when sprayed with hot sauce! The salt content, as with frozen dinners, is pretty bad... I do love mexican, though.

[GoCubsGo]

20. Also, can you use a George Foreman grill in your room?

I am always seeing them in all sizes at the secondhand stores, like Goodwill. Most of the time, they are barely used.

[unionworks]

23. Foreman grill

...is no problem. However, beeen scouring SA and other secondhands, they get scoope d up quick, haven't seen one. Thanks!

[elleng]

21. Not exactly a 'recipe,'

but I often nuke a sweet potato for dinner. Prick it with fork first, couple times/each side, turn it 1/2 way through the process, which depends on size. Might be 4-5 minutes per side, depending. (Same process to bake a plain old white potato.)

Good Luck!

[unionworks]

22. Luv my little sweet taters

...packed with vitamin A! Thanks elleng!

[unionworks]

25. depression era

...and Ww2 cooking- a simple google search shows me our grandparents came up with recipes for cakes without eggs, milk or butter that would make your mouth water. It seems todays cooks cannot rise to the challenges of the greatest generation.....

[Coyote_Bandit]

26. Start by thinking about what you can do

Yes, you can heat frozen stuff and warm leftovers. You have some space for cold storage. And, yes, there are things you can cook.

Some suggestions:
(1) Cook some rice in the microwave. Cook an egg in the microwave. Heat some frozen stir-fry veggies (or peas and carrots). Mix. Season. Serve.
(2) Cook some rice in the microwave. Warm some black beans. Mix together. Add some chunky salsa.
(3) Cook some rice in the microwave. Add some sliced pre-cooked sausage. Add canned okra and tomatoes and season with tabasco.
(4) Bake a sweet potato in the microwave. Add a pineapple cup. Sprinkle generously with pecan pieces.
(5) Make some tuna salad or egg salad or chicken salad. Serve on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich.
(6) Make a taco salad. Top some chili cheese fritos with shredded lettuce. Add a diced Roma tomato, half a diced avocado and some salsa - and maybe some black beans or kidney beans.
(7) Make some soup. Heat water to rehydrate some freeze dried veggies (less waste than buying all fresh) and season. Use Ramen (without the seasoning packet) to add noodles. Add beans or TVP for a protein source. Add some V8 or tomato juice if you want. Use powdered milk to make chowder. Season to taste.
(8) You can make potato soup using instant pashed potato flakes. Google for the recipe. You could make lots of variations on this.

Use your imagination and be creative. There are lots of things you can do. Lots of good tasty alternatives are available to you.

If it is at all possible check with management and see if you are permitted to use a crock pot/slow cooker. If so, get one and use it. You can cook almost anything in it.

[unionworks]

27. your suggestions

Are befitting of your handle. Coyotes are clever, Bandits take it and run. Mouth watering. Thanks!

[supernova]

28. Scrambled Eggs.

Recently rediscovered how to do scrambled eggs in the microwave. In a mws bowl:
a. Add your eggs (2-3). Scramble them with a fork.
b. Add pepper, dill or tarragon or spices of your choice.
c. Add a dollop or two or milk or cream

With the bowl in the oven, set it to about 80-90 seconds at full power. Stop it every 30 seconds or so and chop up the forming chunks. This will redistribute the weight and get rid of overdone and still raw spots. Stop it completely when there is still a little liquid left on top. Take it out of the oven and fluff the eggs. Let them sit for two minutes. Add salt to taste.

The eggs will be fluffy, creamy and not overdone.

Sourcing equipment:

Induction Hot Plates: I love the new induction hot plates too. But they are pricey. I've found them at Tuesday Morning for 170. That's about 50% off MSRP. (I might use them in my candy making business) The safety factor can't be underestimated. However, they do require iron or stainless pots. Aluminum and other nonmetals need not apply.

Cheap Kitchenware: Another place to look for cheap kitchen ware is Goodwill or Habitat Restores. They have a plethora of small appliances: toaster ovens, george forman (and similar) grills, can openers. And... plasticware made for cooking in microwaves. Most things are less than 10 dollars.

Sorry you're having to motel it for a while, but I completely understand.

[unionworks]

29. hey thanks

I have made eggbeater omlettes several times successfully. The price of invective heaters is prohibitive, and hotplates are a death trap. Thanks for the suggestions. Watch for when I start posting depression recipes.

[supernova]

30. Cool. Forgot to say I love the crockpot idea

They are easy to find too at the same places.

Much luck to you.

[unionworks]

32. The Greatest Generation

...had a clue. It is time for us to step up to the plate... politicallty and foodwise

[unionworks]

33. The True Recession Lunch

The young have stumbled on something here!