Basic Techniques
Baked Potatoes
Wrap a potato in glad wrap and then cook it in the microwave on the potato setting or for around 11 minutes. These can be eaten as is, cut up and made into potato salad, added to curry or mashed.
Boiling Eggs
This article provides instructions on how to hard-boil an egg in the microwave. Hard-boiling an egg in the microwave can be done without cataclysmic results. In fact, when done correctly, microwaved hard-boiled eggs come out nicer than those done on the electric range. Remember though: by microwaving, you risk overheating the eggs and can thereby cause them to explode. Use your discretion and take extreme safety into account when utilizing this alternative method. Note these instructions have worked well with flawless results on a microwave rated at 1000 watts. Click here for more info!
Breaded Chicken
Place the desired number of wings in a glad container or on a microwave safe plate (spread out on a paper towel). Cook for 2-3 mins. These can be eaten plain or covered in a bbq, buffalo or other sauce.
Microwaved Hamburger Meat/ Mince
Place hamburger in a microwave safe container with plenty of room to breathe. Stir in any seasoning to allow it to penetrate the meat while cooking.
Change your microwave setting to medium so the meat cooks properly. Run the meat for 3-5 minutes at a time depending on the amount of meat stirring between sessions to evenly distribute the heat. The smaller amount of meat - the less time it needs.
Microwaved Hamburger Patty
These can be purchased in the frozen section of any wal-mart. They come in chicken and beef.
Place the patty down on a paper towel on a microwave plate. Cook for 2-3 minutes and serve.
Microwave Pasta
Place pasta in a microwave safe bowl or a rice cooker with the lids removed. Put enough water in so it sits about an inch above the pasta level and cook for approximately 11 minutes, stir every 5 minutes of cooking. When pasta is Al Dente, drain out the truck window using a microwave plate, toss in sauce and add in other ingredients. Cook for another five minutes then add in some cheese and stir.
Microwave Pizza
Place a paper towel onto the bacon plate on the grill side, this will help absorb any excess moisture. Place the defrosted pizza on top and microwave for 6-12 minutes depending on the size of the pizza. or until the center of the pizza is cooked. Cut and serve.
Variation: Fold the pizza in half for a p'zone to go, add extra toppings or start from scratch using a tortilla as a pizza base.
Microwave Rice
Microwave Rice
This can be done using either a microwave rice cooker (found in the microwave section at walmart) or a large glass pyrex container. Follow the instruction for the rice cooker. Here are the instructions for a regular large glass pyrex container.
Place 1 cup rice and two cups of water in dish. Cook on high for 45 - 60 mins or until fluffy. Do not stir. Let sit until cool, this will prevent the container from cracking due to sudden temperature change.
Variations:
Make up some cheese sauce or gravy from a packet from the gravy section for some added flavor. Alternatively by a frozen vegetable steamer bag of broccoli and cheese and that.
Sauteeing
Place veges and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 3-5 mins. Pull out and strain through a paper towel. Process not recommended for uncooked meat.
Sprucing up a Boxed Dinner
Various stores sell box dinners - some complete with meat. These are usually fairly boring, mundane and incredibly tasteless, however the one thing they do have is that they cook quickly (and as I said before meat that can be stored without a fridge). These dinners can be greatly improved by using the two previous methods to add in some important vitamins and veges (and meat if it doesn't have any). Also you can add canned veges to these meals my favorite would be rotel, a mix of peppers and diced tomatoes which adds spice.
Steaming
Steamer bags can be purchased at Wal-mart. These can be used for steaming veges to add to any dish. Follow instructions on box.
Wrap a potato in glad wrap and then cook it in the microwave on the potato setting or for around 11 minutes. These can be eaten as is, cut up and made into potato salad, added to curry or mashed.
Boiling Eggs
This article provides instructions on how to hard-boil an egg in the microwave. Hard-boiling an egg in the microwave can be done without cataclysmic results. In fact, when done correctly, microwaved hard-boiled eggs come out nicer than those done on the electric range. Remember though: by microwaving, you risk overheating the eggs and can thereby cause them to explode. Use your discretion and take extreme safety into account when utilizing this alternative method. Note these instructions have worked well with flawless results on a microwave rated at 1000 watts. Click here for more info!
Breaded Chicken
Place the desired number of wings in a glad container or on a microwave safe plate (spread out on a paper towel). Cook for 2-3 mins. These can be eaten plain or covered in a bbq, buffalo or other sauce.
Microwaved Hamburger Meat/ Mince
Place hamburger in a microwave safe container with plenty of room to breathe. Stir in any seasoning to allow it to penetrate the meat while cooking.
Change your microwave setting to medium so the meat cooks properly. Run the meat for 3-5 minutes at a time depending on the amount of meat stirring between sessions to evenly distribute the heat. The smaller amount of meat - the less time it needs.
Microwaved Hamburger Patty
These can be purchased in the frozen section of any wal-mart. They come in chicken and beef.
Place the patty down on a paper towel on a microwave plate. Cook for 2-3 minutes and serve.
Microwave Pasta
Place pasta in a microwave safe bowl or a rice cooker with the lids removed. Put enough water in so it sits about an inch above the pasta level and cook for approximately 11 minutes, stir every 5 minutes of cooking. When pasta is Al Dente, drain out the truck window using a microwave plate, toss in sauce and add in other ingredients. Cook for another five minutes then add in some cheese and stir.
Microwave Pizza
Place a paper towel onto the bacon plate on the grill side, this will help absorb any excess moisture. Place the defrosted pizza on top and microwave for 6-12 minutes depending on the size of the pizza. or until the center of the pizza is cooked. Cut and serve.
Variation: Fold the pizza in half for a p'zone to go, add extra toppings or start from scratch using a tortilla as a pizza base.
Microwave Rice
Microwave Rice
This can be done using either a microwave rice cooker (found in the microwave section at walmart) or a large glass pyrex container. Follow the instruction for the rice cooker. Here are the instructions for a regular large glass pyrex container.
Place 1 cup rice and two cups of water in dish. Cook on high for 45 - 60 mins or until fluffy. Do not stir. Let sit until cool, this will prevent the container from cracking due to sudden temperature change.
Variations:
Make up some cheese sauce or gravy from a packet from the gravy section for some added flavor. Alternatively by a frozen vegetable steamer bag of broccoli and cheese and that.
Sauteeing
Place veges and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 3-5 mins. Pull out and strain through a paper towel. Process not recommended for uncooked meat.
Sprucing up a Boxed Dinner
Various stores sell box dinners - some complete with meat. These are usually fairly boring, mundane and incredibly tasteless, however the one thing they do have is that they cook quickly (and as I said before meat that can be stored without a fridge). These dinners can be greatly improved by using the two previous methods to add in some important vitamins and veges (and meat if it doesn't have any). Also you can add canned veges to these meals my favorite would be rotel, a mix of peppers and diced tomatoes which adds spice.
Steaming
Steamer bags can be purchased at Wal-mart. These can be used for steaming veges to add to any dish. Follow instructions on box.
Mains
Chilli Baked Potato
1 can of chilli
2 potatoes
cheese
2 tablespoons butter
sour cream (optional)
Bake two potatoes in the microwave - follow the instructions for baked potatoes and then mash or dice them. Mix in approx. 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook chilli in microwave for 3 mins. Add to potato. Add cheese and sour cream and mix it all up.
1 can of chilli
2 potatoes
cheese
2 tablespoons butter
sour cream (optional)
Bake two potatoes in the microwave - follow the instructions for baked potatoes and then mash or dice them. Mix in approx. 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook chilli in microwave for 3 mins. Add to potato. Add cheese and sour cream and mix it all up.
James Tomato Soup
1 Tablespoon Italian Herb Mix
1 Tablespoon Season-all seasoning mix
1 can of condensed tomato soup
1 can of milk
Feta cheese (optional. Add as much as you like)
In a microwave safe bowl place the Italian Herb Mix, the Season-all seasoning, condensed tomato soup and another can of milk. Microwave for 3 minutes. Add Feta Cheese to taste.
1 Tablespoon Italian Herb Mix
1 Tablespoon Season-all seasoning mix
1 can of condensed tomato soup
1 can of milk
Feta cheese (optional. Add as much as you like)
In a microwave safe bowl place the Italian Herb Mix, the Season-all seasoning, condensed tomato soup and another can of milk. Microwave for 3 minutes. Add Feta Cheese to taste.
Kirsty's Mixed Mash
Mashed Baked potatoes (see recipe above)
butter
diced onion
diced ham
diced turkey
grated cheese
salt and pepper
In a bowl place butter and onion (makes caramelized onions) and cook on high for about 3-4 minutes. Add in ham and turkey and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix this in with the mashed potatoes and cheese. Season to taste.
Mashed Baked potatoes (see recipe above)
butter
diced onion
diced ham
diced turkey
grated cheese
salt and pepper
In a bowl place butter and onion (makes caramelized onions) and cook on high for about 3-4 minutes. Add in ham and turkey and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix this in with the mashed potatoes and cheese. Season to taste.
Kirsty's Sweet Creamy Alfredo Rice
1 box Rice a roni (wild rice or cheese)
Approx. 1/2 - 1 cup pre-cooked shrimp
2-3 T Butter
Garlic Powder
Approx. 1/2 - 1 cup sour cream
Parmesian cheese
Feta Cheese
1 box honey glazed carrots
Make up the box of rice a roni according to the box directions. Set aside.
Cook the shrimp in the butter and garlic powder for 5 minutes. Mix in sour cream, feta and parmesian until a desirable flavor is found. Mix into the rice.
Cook the carrots following the directions. Open the packet when cooled and mix into the rice.
Enjoy!
Alternatively: Add some curry spices to make a thai curry. Use broccoli and cheese to go for a cheesier taste. Add in some parmesian.
1 box Rice a roni (wild rice or cheese)
Approx. 1/2 - 1 cup pre-cooked shrimp
2-3 T Butter
Garlic Powder
Approx. 1/2 - 1 cup sour cream
Parmesian cheese
Feta Cheese
1 box honey glazed carrots
Make up the box of rice a roni according to the box directions. Set aside.
Cook the shrimp in the butter and garlic powder for 5 minutes. Mix in sour cream, feta and parmesian until a desirable flavor is found. Mix into the rice.
Cook the carrots following the directions. Open the packet when cooled and mix into the rice.
Enjoy!
Alternatively: Add some curry spices to make a thai curry. Use broccoli and cheese to go for a cheesier taste. Add in some parmesian.
Kraft Mac'n'Cheese Original Microwave Recipe
I believe this may need some explanation. Kraft Mac and cheese boxes used to have a microwave recipe on the side, but for whatever reason they removed it.
Serves 2
1 box Kraft Mac n Cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
1 and 3/4 cups of water
1/4 cup milk
In a microwave safe bowl place the pasta and the water. Microwave for 5 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 5 minutes or until pasta is al dente (soft). Use a fork to break apart any stuck together pieces. Strain (you can use a plate or even a glad box lid for this) and then mix ingredients in to taste.
I believe this may need some explanation. Kraft Mac and cheese boxes used to have a microwave recipe on the side, but for whatever reason they removed it.
Serves 2
1 box Kraft Mac n Cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
1 and 3/4 cups of water
1/4 cup milk
In a microwave safe bowl place the pasta and the water. Microwave for 5 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 5 minutes or until pasta is al dente (soft). Use a fork to break apart any stuck together pieces. Strain (you can use a plate or even a glad box lid for this) and then mix ingredients in to taste.
Microwave Meatloaf
1/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 c. milk
2 lg. eggs
2 lbs. hamburger
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. ketchup or BBQ sauce
1 tsp. prepared mustard (optional)
In large bowl, soak bread crumbs in milk for five minutes. With fork mix in eggs then stir in turkey, onion and salt.In microwave meatloaf baking dish, place mixture into dish covering with plastic wrap, turning back one corner for vent. Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Rotate dish and microwave 7 minutes, rotate dish again and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes or until loaf is firm, 18 minutes in all.
In a cup, combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Uncover meat loaf, spread with 1/2 of mixture. Microwave for 1 minute uncovered. Spread with remaining mixture and microwave for 1 more minute.
1/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 c. milk
2 lg. eggs
2 lbs. hamburger
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. ketchup or BBQ sauce
1 tsp. prepared mustard (optional)
In large bowl, soak bread crumbs in milk for five minutes. With fork mix in eggs then stir in turkey, onion and salt.In microwave meatloaf baking dish, place mixture into dish covering with plastic wrap, turning back one corner for vent. Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Rotate dish and microwave 7 minutes, rotate dish again and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes or until loaf is firm, 18 minutes in all.
In a cup, combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Uncover meat loaf, spread with 1/2 of mixture. Microwave for 1 minute uncovered. Spread with remaining mixture and microwave for 1 more minute.
Ritz Fish
1 lb. fish fillets
6 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. vinegar
1/3 c. chopped parsley
1/2 c. Ritz cracker crumbs
Paprika
Arrange fish with thickest part to the outer edge of dish. Sprinkle lemon pepper over fish; set aside.
Place butter in 2 cup glass measure and microwave 1 minute on High or until melted. A
dd lemon juice, vinegar and parsley to butter and pour over fish.
Combine cracker crumbs and paprika, sprinkle over fish.
Microwave about 6 minutes on High or until fish flakes.
1 lb. fish fillets
6 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. vinegar
1/3 c. chopped parsley
1/2 c. Ritz cracker crumbs
Paprika
Arrange fish with thickest part to the outer edge of dish. Sprinkle lemon pepper over fish; set aside.
Place butter in 2 cup glass measure and microwave 1 minute on High or until melted. A
dd lemon juice, vinegar and parsley to butter and pour over fish.
Combine cracker crumbs and paprika, sprinkle over fish.
Microwave about 6 minutes on High or until fish flakes.
Scallop Potatoes
1-2 cans Campbell's condensed cream of celery soup, mushroom or chicken
1/4 - 1/2 cups milk
chopped parsley
cheese, sliced or grated.
salt and pepper
2-3 cups thinly sliced potatoes
onion, thinly sliced or dired onion flakes rehydrated
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine or oil
1 dash paprika
Layer sliced potatoes in a dish. Fill with water and cook on high in mircowave for 30 mins - 1 hour or until potato is soft. Strain when cooked.
Combine soup, milk, butter,cheese, onions, parsley and pepper. Mix to make a runny sauce.
Pour sauce onto potato and sprinkle with paprika.
Cook for another 10 - 15 mins and serve.
Variation: Use a dipping sauce normally used for chips to make the sauce. You can either make your own or purchase a jar from Walmart. I recommend queso.
1-2 cans Campbell's condensed cream of celery soup, mushroom or chicken
1/4 - 1/2 cups milk
chopped parsley
cheese, sliced or grated.
salt and pepper
2-3 cups thinly sliced potatoes
onion, thinly sliced or dired onion flakes rehydrated
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine or oil
1 dash paprika
Layer sliced potatoes in a dish. Fill with water and cook on high in mircowave for 30 mins - 1 hour or until potato is soft. Strain when cooked.
Combine soup, milk, butter,cheese, onions, parsley and pepper. Mix to make a runny sauce.
Pour sauce onto potato and sprinkle with paprika.
Cook for another 10 - 15 mins and serve.
Variation: Use a dipping sauce normally used for chips to make the sauce. You can either make your own or purchase a jar from Walmart. I recommend queso.
Taco Supreme Bake
1 Box Betty Crockers Chicken Taco Bake
Sour Cream
Nachos
Extra Cheese
Follow the directions on the box and make up the taco bake
Place some nachos in separate bowls.
Pour taco Bake over the nachos, sprinkle extra cheese on top and add a spoonful of sour cream.
Eat when cool enough.
1 Box Betty Crockers Chicken Taco Bake
Sour Cream
Nachos
Extra Cheese
Follow the directions on the box and make up the taco bake
Place some nachos in separate bowls.
Pour taco Bake over the nachos, sprinkle extra cheese on top and add a spoonful of sour cream.
Eat when cool enough.
Desserts
Baked Apples
2 baking apples (Mac's)1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tbsp. butter
Core apples.
Place sugar and butter in cavities.
Set in some kind of microwave safe holding container.
Cover (wax paper for crunch - or - plastic for soft).
Microwave on high power (2 apples) 2 1/2-4 minutes. Micro-cook until fork tender, rotating after 1/2 cooking time.
Let stand 2 minutes.
2 baking apples (Mac's)1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tbsp. butter
Core apples.
Place sugar and butter in cavities.
Set in some kind of microwave safe holding container.
Cover (wax paper for crunch - or - plastic for soft).
Microwave on high power (2 apples) 2 1/2-4 minutes. Micro-cook until fork tender, rotating after 1/2 cooking time.
Let stand 2 minutes.
Bread Pudding
6 slices white bread, torn into sm. pieces
2 c. milk
1 tbsp. butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. raisins
Place bread in dish.
Heat milk and butter on high power 3 minutes in 4 cup measuring cup. Stir small amount of hot milk into beaten eggs. Return eggs to milk.
Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla and raisins. Pour mixture over bread pieces.
Cook on high 7 minutes. Cook 2 minutes longer, if center is not firm.
6 slices white bread, torn into sm. pieces
2 c. milk
1 tbsp. butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. raisins
Place bread in dish.
Heat milk and butter on high power 3 minutes in 4 cup measuring cup. Stir small amount of hot milk into beaten eggs. Return eggs to milk.
Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla and raisins. Pour mixture over bread pieces.
Cook on high 7 minutes. Cook 2 minutes longer, if center is not firm.