Collegiettes are always busy. Between class, jobs, social events and meetings, very few of us have time to whip up a gourmet meal. Instead, we eat whatever is easiest: vending machine snacks, fast food, and microwave meals. Lots and lots of microwave meals.
After a while, those sodium-filled microwave meals get old. A Collegiette can only eat so many bowls of Easy Mac. So why not try something new? These three recipes will help you to love your microwave again. In fact, it might just become your new BFF.
1. Potato Chips
Ah, the classic American salty snack. Potato chips are the perfect addition to a sandwich, and they also make an ideal midday snack. However, store-bought chips are usually loaded with calories. If you make your own chips in the microwave, you’ll score a yummy (and affordable) snack with more health benefits.
Here’s how to do it:
Using a very sharp knife, slice up a potato or two. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a microwaveable plate. Set the timer for 3 minutes. Depending on how thinly sliced your potatoes are, the microwave time may vary. Be sure to flip the chips every few minutes.
Once the chips look slightly browned, take them out and enjoy!
2. Veggies
Vegetables are a great food item to cook in the microwave. They’re healthy and tasty. The best ones to try? Carrots, broccoli, and, of course, whole potatoes.
It’s almost too easy:
First, wash your veggies with water. But do not dry them – the veggies will need to retain a little bit of moisture in order to cook well. Place them in a microwave-safe dish and then simply set the timer. For carrots and broccoli, stick to 4-5 minute cooking intervals. For baked potatoes, most microwaves have a button that says “potato”. But if not, use 5-minute intervals. The bigger the potato, the longer it will need to cook.
And there you have it! Three healthy veggies, ready in less than 10 minutes.
3. Cake
Since “stressed” equals “desserts” spelled backwards, it’s only fitting that this microwave cake makes the list. The recipe is a piece of cake! (Ha-ha, get it?!)
Just follow these directions:
Find a big coffee mug. Then, combine 1/4 cup flour, 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and a tiny bit of vanilla extract and salt in your mug. Throw the mug in the microwave for about 2 minutes, and then voila! Your very own mini chocolate cake!
With these three fabulous recipes, you’ll never look at your apartment microwave the same way again. Move over, Easy Mac!