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Are you hungry for something hearty yet easy to cook in a microwave? No problem! Using a microwave makes a lot of sense, especially for seniors who don’t want to use the oven or create a big meal. Microwave ovens are ideal when cooking for one or two people.
Serious benefits to using a microwave include the ability to cook foods fast, saving on utility costs and avoiding burning or charring your food. It’s even possible to make food preparation easier and better with the use of microwave; for instance, when juicing a lemon or lime, give it a 10-second burst in the microwave first. You’ll get more juice out of it.
But perhaps one of the most important benefits is that using a microwave actually helps to retain more nutrients in the food. For instance, when spinach is cooked in a microwave, it retains nearly all of its folate content. When cooked on a traditional stovetop, it loses a whopping 77% of folate.1
A Note on Safety
When you’re working in the kitchen, whether using your microwave or any other appliance, remember to put safety first. That delicious food isn’t worth the time you spent cooking it if you wind up slipping on water on the floor. Using a knife can lead to lacerations if you are using a dull blade, and microwaved food can cause burns if you aren’t careful pulling it out of the microwave oven.
An emergency response solution from Alert1 can help provide peace of mind in the kitchen and every area of the home. If you suffer a fall or injury, pressing the panic button on your medical alert pendant or wristband can ensure that help is headed your way fast. And if you opt for a medical alert system with fall detection, you have even more protection – if you do fall, the device itself can automatically alert the monitoring center without your even having to press the button alarm. You can have help on the way even faster than you can cook up any of these great microwave recipes!
So without further ado, let’s dive in! Which one of these easy microwave recipes will you try today?
Zucchini and Ham Frittata
One of the easiest egg dishes to make in a microwave, this delicious frittata is filled with good-for-you things but also brings a salty burst of ham.
· 4 cups chopped or shredded zucchini
· 1 small chopped onion
· ½ chopped red pepper
· 4 large eggs
· ¼ tsp. salt
· ¼ tsp. pepper
· 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
· 1 cup cubed, fully cooked ham
Combine the zucchini, onion, and pepper in a 9-inch microwave safe dish. Cover with cling wrap and microwave on high for four minutes. Drain the liquid from the mixture, being careful of hot steam.
In the meantime, whisk eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir in the cheese and ham. Pour the egg mixture over the zucchini mixture. Microwave the dish at 70% power for about eight minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!
Easy Microwave Meatloaf
Don’t go with lean beef on this one. You’ll want at least a 70/30 meat and fat blend in order to get the best flavor from the microwave meatloaf. Remember to drain it well before adding the glaze to get rid of much of the rendered fat.
· 1 large egg, beaten well
· 2 tbsps. ketchup
· 2 tbsps. Dijon mustard
· ½ cup crushed saltine crackers
· 2 tbsps. onion soup mix
· 1 lb. ground beef
For glaze:
· 2 tbsps. sugar
· 2 tbsps. brown sugar
· 2 tbsps. ketchup
· 1 tbsp. cider vinegar
In a large bowl, combine the egg, ketchup, mustard, saltines, and soup mix. Crumble the beef over the mixture and blend it well with your hands. Shape the meatloaf into an oval and place in a one-quart microwave-safe dish.
Cover the dish with cling wrap and microwave on high for 12 minutes or until no pink remains in the ground beef. An instant-read thermometer should read at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain the meatloaf.
Combine the sugars, ketchup and vinegar in a small bowl to make the glaze. Drizzle or brush it over the meatloaf. Cover the dish and microwave on high for about three minutes or until heated through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to settle.
Healthy Egg Sandwiches
Think you’ve got to go to a drive thru to get a decadent egg sandwich? You can simply make one in your microwave! If you want to spice things up a bit, add some salsa – you choose the heat.
· 1 whole wheat English muffin, split and toasted
· 1 slice of Canadian bacon
· ¼ cup egg substitute
· 1 Tbsp. shredded cheddar cheese
· Spinach leaves
· 1 Tbsp. salsa (optional)
Coat a 6-ounce microwave-safe ramekin with cooking spray. Place the Canadian bacon on the bottom. Pour the egg substitute over the top; if you are using the salsa, blend that with the egg. Microwave, uncovered, for 30 seconds on high, then stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds. Do this until the egg is almost set. Add the cheese on top and microwave again, until cheese is just barely melted; this might take another 10 seconds or so.
Place spinach on the bottom of the English muffin and top with the Canadian bacon and egg. Top with the other half of the muffin and enjoy.
Bright and Fresh Microwave Cod
The microwave is one of the best ways to cook fish. It always turns out just right! The fantastic salsa you put on top of this fish can make even the most delicate filet so much more flavorful.
· 4 cod filets of about 4 ounces each
· 1 small tomato, chopped fine
· ¼ cup onion, chopped fine
· 2 tbsps. water
· 2 tbsps. olive oil
· 4 tbsps. lemon juice
· 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
· 1 small garlic clove, minced fine
· 1 tsp. low-sodium seafood seasoning
Place the cod in a greased 11x7 microwave-safe baking dish. Blend all other ingredients into a salsa and spoon it over the fish. Cover the dish with cling wrap and microwave on high for six minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately.
Butter Chicken
Think you can’t make a hearty chicken dish in the microwave? Think again! This recipe is a great example of a dish made for the oven but easily cooked in the microwave. The topping might not get as crisp, but it’s a sure bet the flavors will be just as delicious.
· 5 tbsps. butter, cut into 1-tbsp. pats
· 1 tsp. minced chives
· ¼ tsp. garlic powder
· ¼ tsp. pepper
· 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
· ½ cup cornflakes, crumbled to crumbs
· 2 tbsps. grated Parmesan
· ½ tsp. dried parsley
· ¼ tsp. paprika
Combine 4 tbsps. softened butter, chives, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl. Shape the butter into four cubes and put them in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
Flatten the chicken breasts until they are about ¼ inch thick. Place a frozen butter cube in the center of each chicken piece and roll the chicken up to form a pouch. (Do this by folding the long sides over the butter, then rolling up the short sides; secure with a toothpick.)
Combine the cornflakes, Parmesan, parsley, and paprika in a shallow bowl. Melt the last tbsp. of butter. Dip the chicken into the butter, coating it evenly, then dip it into the cornflakes mixture, making sure to cover all sides. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
Microwave on high for 6 minutes or so, until the juices from the chicken run clear and the thermometer in the thickest part reads at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the toothpicks, scoop the chicken onto plates, and drizzle with the pan juices, if desired.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
An ultimate comfort food with a twist, this dish comes alive in the microwave just as easily as it does on the stovetop. And by using frozen meatballs, you can ensure this one is fast from the microwave to the plate. Serve it up for the grandkids! This one makes enough for two, but it’s a recipe that easily doubles or even triples.
· 1 spaghetti squash
· 1 tbsp. olive oil
· Salt and pepper to taste
· 12 fully-cooked meatballs
· 2 cups your choice of pasta sauce
· Grated Parmesan cheese on the side
· Fresh parsley to garnish
Poke holes in the spaghetti squash with a knife and microwave it for five minutes until the outside is tender enough to easily cut. Slice the spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds and strings. When the squash is clean inside, rub the oil into the surface and season with salt and pepper.
Microwave the squash for another 10 minutes, adding more time if needed to make it tender. The flesh should easily pull away from the skin. Use a fork to shred the squash and create the noodle strands.
In the meantime, microwave the meatballs with the pasta sauce in a covered dish for two or three minutes, or until the meatballs are heated all the way through.
Complete the dish by spooning the squash noodles onto the plate, topping with the meatballs and sauce, and garnishing with parsley and Parmesan.
Microwave Mug Cake
This is a must-have microwave recipe that provides a shot of delicious chocolate anytime. Why bother buying a whole cake or making one yourself if you can have this single-serving delight? Make sure to use the largest mug you have to avoid overflow of the mixture as it cooks (and to leave room for a scoop of ice cream on top, if you’d like).
· 4 tbsps. self-rising flour
· 4 tbsps. sugar
· 2 tbsps. cocoa powder
· 1 egg
· 3 tbsps. milk of your choice
· 3 tbsps. vegetable oil
· ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
· A sprinkle of chocolate chips or nuts
In a hearty mug, add the flour, sugar, and cocoa. Blend them well together. Add in the egg and mix it until incorporated; there might be some dry mix left over. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth. Add the chocolate chips and nuts on top.
Place the mug in the microwave and cook for two minutes on high. The cake should be firm to the touch – that’s how you know it’s done. But be careful because it’s hot.
Tips for Microwave Cooking Success
The microwave is a very handy appliance that can keep you well-fed in a pinch – or simply because you want the ultimate in convenience. But as with any appliance, there are some tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of it. To best use this countertop marvel, keep these ideas in mind:
· Never use metal. This can’t be overstated. Any sort of foil wrapping or dish with a metal trim can be dangerous or even deadly. Metal reflects in the microwave, sends out sparks galore, and can easily make the microwave catch fire. That can turn into a serious kitchen fire very quickly. The National Fire Protection Association reports that 49% of reported home fires are caused by cooking.2 These tips can help keep you safe.
· Keep cooking time in mind. Thicker meats and dense foods, like potatoes, will take longer to cook than vegetables will. To that end, it’s a good idea to put the heavier foods in first, let them cook for a few minutes, then add the quicker-cooking foods. This helps avoid any burned or tough bites. You can also cut up larger foods to speed up the cooking time.
· Keep in mind that the dish is hot! Don’t reach in with your bare hands to grab a microwave-safe dish. Though some might be cool to the touch, others can be hotter than you might think. Always reach in with a pot holder or oven mitts to retrieve a dish from the microwave, just in case.
· Beware of splashes and burns. When you pull the dish out of the microwave, take your time and keep it level. Food in the microwave will continue to cook for a minute or two after you turn the microwave off; the last thing you want is a splash of hot food on your skin. If you do wind up with a serious splash of hot liquid or food, it’s a good idea to get help right away. You can do this with a home first-aid kit or the help of someone else; if it’s very serious, a medical alert pendant is a good way to reach out for help quickly.
· Always use microwave-safe cookware. Look for the icon on the bottom that says it is safe to use in the microwave. If in doubt, don’t use it. If it isn’t clearly marked safe for microwave use, it could bend, twist, or leach chemicals into your food.
· Use cling film to cover the dish. Cling film will not only help trap in the heat and cook the food even faster, but it will prevent it from splashing out into your microwave and causing a terrible mess. If there is a lot of liquid in the dish, pierce the cling wrap with a fork to allow steam to escape.
· Stir food regularly. Remember that microwave cooking isn’t as even as what you get from the oven. Cook the food in short intervals and stir it around every few minutes to make sure that it all gets heated through properly.
· Take your time. When your food is done, give it a moment to rest and cool before you begin eating. Taking a bite immediately can lead to serious burns. If you do wind up with a burn on your tongue or lips, stop right away and rinse your mouth with water. You can also turn to a first-aid kit or call your doctor for advice. (And having a medical alarm on you makes getting help so much easier.)
The next time you’re in the mood for a little more convenience and a lot less hassle, turn to the microwave to create anything from appetizers to desserts. Follow the safety tips and cooking tricks to whip up a fast, easy, delicious microwave recipe you’ll love.