Sure, it’s fun to fantasize about one day when you’ll have your own place and will be able to cook meals for yourself like a real adult, basking in the delight of knowing that never again will you have to chance your stomach’s satisfaction for the evening by relying on the dining hall for meals; but does anyone ever stop and think that maybe we’re too quick to glorify that stage in life? Consider what actually goes into preparing a meal from scratch. It involves excessive grocery shopping and extensive knowledge of kitchen/cook-ware (I for one, will be the first to admit I possess no such knowledge nor am I willing to learn anytime soon).
But wait, remember that magical little box we call The Microwave? The marvel of modern technology that makes our pizzas and Easy Mac in a mere 3 minutes as opposed to the 45 minutes it would take its slower, more daunting opponent, the oven? I say, college students need to take advantage of microwave cooking while we still can (aka while it’s still socially acceptable amongst our peers). Thus, I was inspired to comprise the following list of surprisingly delicious recipes from across the internet that you can make right in your own dorm with minimal ingredients and equipment; tested and given the stamp of approval by yours truly and her roomies.
1) Microwaved bananas
Sounds strange, I know, but for this one I’m going to have to bring out the old clichéd saying of “Don’t knock it until you try it.” Healthy, simple, and utterly tasty this little number may become your new comfort food.
Directions:
- Place peeled banana on dish
- Microwave for 30 seconds
- Flavor with brown sugar, granola, peanut butter, or anything else your heart desires
BONUS microwaved banana idea: For those of you with a sweet tooth (ladies after my own heart) slice a banana so that it is still in one piece, but has a cut lengthwise down the middle. Fill this with peanut butter and chocolate chips (dark or milk) and microwave for 15-30 seconds. You’re welcome.
2) Quiche in a mug
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1/4 of a bagel (or similar amount of French bread, etc.)
Directions:
- Beat egg and milk together with a fork in a coffee cup, adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Tear bread into dime-size pieces; stir in.
- Microwave on high until done, about 1 minute 10 seconds.
BONUS: if you feel like splurging, add some lunch meat to the mix like salami, turkey, ham, etc.
http://food.allwomenstalk.com/meals-in-a-mug-recipes-youve-got-to-try/3/
3) Toasted nuts
Directions:
- Spread a single layer of nuts on a microwave safe plate.
- Cook them in 1 minute intervals on full power, until the nuts have a crisp crunch, toasted flavor, and have become fragrant. The amount of time it takes varies per nut. You will not get the same dark color you get from oven or pan toasting, but this will do in a hurry when you don’t want to dirty a pan or heat up the oven for such a simple task.
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/how-to-toast-nuts-tutorial/
4) Steamed veggies
This works well with: carrots, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, peas, bell peppers
- Wash and dry your vegetables and cut it into equal sized pieces.
- Place them in one layer in a microwave safe glass bowl or a dish with sides.
- Add just enough water to the bowl so that it comes 1/8 up the side of the vegetable pieces.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave safe cover, and microwave for 2 minutes.
- Test the vegetable for softness, and rotate or flip it if necessary.
- Cook again for four minutes.
- Continue alternating sides and cooking for one minute per side until the vegetable can easily be pierced with a fork. Once your veggies are moist and tender, they are all ready to serve!
http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/the-best-way-to-steam-vegetables-in-t…
5) Brownie in a mug
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp. milk
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp. nutella
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
- Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil until all ingredients are combined and batter has no clumps.
- Pour batter into a microwave-safe mug. Mine was a 14-ounce mug. You want enough head space for the cake to rise without pouring over.
- Add 1 tbsp. of nutella in the middle of the batter. Just drop it in the middle, no need to push it down and sink it in the batter.
- Place a paper towel into the microwave and set the mug on top (this is to catch any batter if your mug cake overflows).
- Microwave mug cake for 70 seconds on high