Microwave Meals

mellenorris

Hey folks! I've been asking my friends for ideas here, but didn't realize there was a recipe-specific message board! Excellent.

Here's the scoop: I'm being relocated for work for three months. I'm going to be living in a hotel with a microwave and fridge. No oven! A quick google for microwave recipes yields primarily desserts... not interested! I'm bummed because roasted veggies are my FAVORITE, but it's just three months. I will survive on steamed!

I've invested in a microwave rice/pasta cooker with good reviews on Amazon, and I'm hoping to stumble across someone's old unloved George Foreman Grill or skillet at a thrift store in the next two weeks. If not, I'll probably cave and just buy one.

That said, what are your favorite MICROWAVE-ONLY healthy recipes/meals? I'm not looking for your favorite diet-food-brand freezer food (though I love those steamfresh veggie bags). Tips for cooking with only a microwave? Best and worst practices? Help a girl out!

lauryn86

Get a sweet potato and poke it with a fork all over. Put in microwave for a few minutes, depending on your microwave. Then stuff it with (heated by microwave if you prefer) canned black beans (that have been rinsed and drained) add avacado and salsa and its AMAZING. Also you could get a crockpot!

staceypunk

breakfast idea:

1/2 cup quaker old fashioned oats
about 12-15 raisins (10 grams)
cinnamon
pinch salt
add almost 1 cup of water

microwave 2 min 45 sec

stir in 1/2 to 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

256 cal
37 carbs
4 fat
19 protein
8 sugar
100 sodium
(stats with 1/2 scoop protein powder)

mellenorris

Get a sweet potato and poke it with a fork all over. Put in microwave for a few minutes, depending on your microwave. Then stuff it with (heated by microwave if you prefer) canned black beans (that have been rinsed and drained) add avacado and salsa and its AMAZING. Also you could get a crockpot!

Wow, it's like you knew all my favorite foods. Why didn't I think of this?! THANKS! Canned beans are genius - I'm really worried about getting enough protein while I'm out there. A crockpot is smart too! I'll add it to my list for the thrift store hunt. I'm trying to pack as light as possible, so if I could find just one heated food element, that would be great! I'm sure I'll find some creative uses for whatever I find.

Abells

all those bird's eye steam fresh frozen veggies from the store are able to be put in the microwave. if not seasoned put some brown sugar on it!

K_Serz

Get a sweet potato and poke it with a fork all over. Put in microwave for a few minutes, depending on your microwave. Then stuff it with (heated by microwave if you prefer) canned black beans (that have been rinsed and drained) add avacado and salsa and its AMAZING. Also you could get a crockpot!

My Microwave Sweet Potato / Taco

I dont poke holes in it ("aint nobody got time fo dat") I just put it in there (wrap it in a papertowel) and nuke it.

I do let it cool down a bit, i slice one side and insert extra ingredients like lauryn suggested. I dont jam it full of stuff, but I do close it back up and the insides should be soft enough so when you close it back up you can eat it like a big giant fat taco. :bigsmile:

taco full of superfood potassium goodness

mellenorris

breakfast idea:

1/2 cup quaker old fashioned oats
about 12-15 raisins (10 grams)
cinnamon
pinch salt
add almost 1 cup of water

microwave 2 min 45 sec

stir in 1/2 to 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

256 cal
37 carbs
4 fat
19 protein
8 sugar
100 sodium
(stats with 1/2 scoop protein powder)

YUM, this is right up my alley. I've been a huge fan of fridge/overnight oats in the last few weeks, so this fits in perfectly if I have any cold mornings! I love that you add protein powder - I should add that to my recipe for overnight oats! Smart smart smart. Thanks!

kennie2

you can get like ovens that are the size of microwaves, we used to have one, they arent too bad

luckyjuls

They have steamfresh sweet potatoes that come in bags as well so you can make a serving or two for lunch and dinner the next day.

I like to make flaxseed wraps in the microwave. 3 tablespoon egg white, 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal, 1 tablespoon oil (I use coconut), 1/4 tsp baking powder and any spices you wish (maybe a little parm cheese). Mix together and pour into a microwave safe shallow dish, spread out like a wrap.

You can put anything inside, like deli meats or even a burger. You could also make it into a pizza. Just let it cool, top with sauces and cheese, and pop back in.

A lot of good fats and great flavor!

mellenorris

They have steamfresh sweet potatoes that come in bags as well so you can make a serving or two for lunch and dinner the next day.

I like to make flaxseed wraps in the microwave. 3 tablespoon egg white, 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal, 1 tablespoon oil (I use coconut), 1/4 tsp baking powder and any spices you wish (maybe a little parm cheese). Mix together and pour into a microwave safe shallow dish, spread out like a wrap.

You can put anything inside, like deli meats or even a burger. You could also make it into a pizza. Just let it cool, top with sauces and cheese, and pop back in.

A lot of good fats and great flavor!

That wrap sounds great! Definitely something I haven't tried before with lots of versatile options.

Anyone have experience with nuking fresh veggies? IE if I wanted some spinach on this pizza idea, plop it on there fresh or...? Buy the frozen bags and use that?

mellenorris

My Microwave Sweet Potato / Taco

I dont poke holes in it ("aint nobody got time fo dat") I just put it in there (wrap it in a papertowel) and nuke it.

I do let it cool down a bit, i slice one side and insert extra ingredients like lauryn suggested. I dont jam it full of stuff, but I do close it back up and the insides should be soft enough so when you close it back up you can eat it like a big giant fat taco. :bigsmile:

taco full of superfood potassium goodness

This too, yum. Easy to eat, and doesn't sound like too much clean up!

you can get like ovens that are the size of microwaves, we used to have one, they arent too bad

I've definitely considered taking our toaster-oven, but I'm trying to pack light... or as light as possible for a three month trip, at least! Gosh, I love toasted everything though. Maybe I'll pick up a cheap toaster once I get out there.

Thanks to both of you!

AleciaG724

I know Ramen soup gets a bad rap, but I like it like this: nuke it in 3 cups of water on high for about 6 minutes, then add a beaten raw egg, some frozen peas or fresh spinach, and half of the seasoning packet. Nuke it again for 2-3 minutes or until the noodles are soft and you can see bits of cooked eggs throughout. This makes enough for about 2 lunch servings at 300 calories each.

fitgal05

I'm going to think on this one, because I know I have some good ones to share. So I'll figure out a few and reply better k. ALso I have a ton of crockpot recipes if you get one.

keem88

not the safest to use indoors, but you can make a box oven and good with it outside.
we used to do this at camp and make pizza in it and anything else you would make in an oven out of a box, foil, wire hangers, duct tape, a pie foil tray and coals.

that may be hard to do so i will reccomend microwaving frozen spinach, seasoning with garlic and pepper, and then microwave some sweet potatos, kidney beans. mash the kidney beans and add cumin, chili powder, mustard and mix well. serve in a tortilla with mashed sweet potato and cheese, nuke the burrito if you want. mmm sweet potato burrito

any way you can get a plug in mini stove so you can boil water and make pasta/rice, or an electric skillet as well does wonder for saute up veggies and meats

keem88

oh yeah and a toaster over too, we have a black and decker one and i like it bc its less energy than a regular oven and cooks quicker. unless its like a casserole i just use that for pizza, garlic bread, anything else youd make in an oven

ebr250

Cooking Light magazine has a microwave cooking article in this month's issue. Check it out! I really want to make the meatloaf - it looks awesome. They even have a recipe for risotto!

ceeci43

As long as your room has outlets your in great shape... Go buy yourself a crock pot, go grocery shopping at the end of your work day for the next day If there's no fridge .. You can make awesome meals including rice in a crock pot.. If you need recipes.. Email me I can send you tons.. Good luck

sunshyncatra

Couscous is super easy in the microwave, just add water and zap! I second the sweet potato. You can also do a regular potato. I poke it, and cook it on high for six minutes, flipping it over after three. It comes out perfect every time.

ceeci43

Those wraps sound awesome do you have the breakdown on calories? I have celiacs and can actually eat that....

mellenorris

Thank you all so much for the ideas! My brain is so stuck on roasting veggies, I forgot nuking them was even an option. Potatoes, what an obvious choice! I love me some good mash.

I think once I'm out there, I may look into a crockpot. It's the middle of the desert, so I'm not sure how much I'm going to want hot meals. I'm also trying to keep in mind that my sink is going to be... a small hotel sink, so I'm trying to keep the dishes as simple as possible. I'm not opposed to doing my dishes in the tub though if I need to :P ha ha!

Keep them coming, I am loving these ideas. I don't know what I'd do without you guys!

luckyjuls

Ahhh crockpots are awesome. They'll get rid of a lot of prep. That would be my vote over the microwave (especially if you aren't opposed to eating the same thing three days in a row or at least, refrigerating and having it a few days later).

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

Haven't read it all but here's some ideas:

canned beans, mix with tomatoes and diced peppers...microwave till boiling

george foreman grill: chicken, steak, fish...all can be cooked on there

soft quesadilla (fill with veggies, an ounce or two of cheese, and some rotisserie chicken)

oatmeal

soup--low sodium broth, steam in bag brown rice, frozen mixed veggies, rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips (if you don't buy the grill)--heat it all to boiling

"stir fry" ---you can toss the veggies in a tbsp of oil...heat, add 1 tbsp soy/teriyaki sauce, add cooked frozen shrimp

eggs --beat with fork. microwave. place on english muffin and add cheese for "egg mcmuffin"

laineretail

"Omelet in a mug" - The below recipe is from allrecipes.com. Quick and easy with little clean up (no need to wash dishes in the tub). Read the reviews for different ideas.

Ingredients:
1 large egg
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons diced fully cooked ham
1 tablespoon diced green bell pepper
salt and ground black pepper to taste
cooking spray

Directions:
1.Combine egg, egg whites, Cheddar cheese, ham, bell pepper, salt, and ground pepper in a microwave-safe mug coated with non-stick spray.
2.Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Return to microwave and cook until eggs are completely set, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes longer.

mellenorris

I LOVE the omelet in a mug idea. So easy!

Shrimp too - I love shrimp, even just cold. An easy no-cook option for those lazy nights for sure! I'm skeptical about microwaved shrimp, but I suppose I can't bash it 'till I try it...

Thanks guys. I have't found a George Foreman grill or crockpot yet (I own both at home, but boyfriend will need them while I'm gone so I've been looking at thrift stores for temporary replacements... plus our crockpot at home is HUGE and way more than I would ever need for even a week of food in that hotel).

Once I start actually trying these out, I'll update you all!