I never dreamed I would write an article about microwaves but today 12/6/23 is Microwave Day, so I thought about it and I do have a few magical experiences with microwaves to share….
My microwave cooking experience started many years ago when my Grandma was gifted a microwave from her Boss. It was very large and the size of at least half her counter. Well, she loved it. She was a pretty straight forward person but could this be magic? She couldn’t believe she could use this big machine to make her life easier. She couldn’t wait to make meatloaf in it.
Fast forward a few years and I didn’t know how to cook so microwave everything frozen worked for me. Busy working and starting a family my microwave sure seemed magical saving me lots of time. As I learned how to cook my microwave become very dusty.
Now this year my son asked me for cooking advice. I was thrilled to help him, what do you want to know, I can help you make anything, Eggs Benedict? Stir Fry? Beef Wellington? No…he was away for work with only a microwave and needed a few ideas. So a quick list of Microwave ideas was created on a napkin…many magical ideas start on a napkin!
Meal ideas;
- Buffalo Chicken Salad-they make really good frozen cooked chicken now easy to heat up and toss together with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and blue cheese.
- Scrambled Eggs-so easy and good in the microwave I do this at work often. Spray a coffee mug or bowl with non-stick spray and add 2 eggs, whisk with a fork and microwave. Add a little salt & pepper and even go crazy for a work day anyway and add to a tortilla with salsa and avocado.
- Salsa Chicken-an old favorite my husband used to cook on the grill all of the time. Just take out the frozen chicken and microwave until done. Top with a spoon of salsa and your favorite cheese and microwave until the cheese is melted.
- Baked Potatoes-Think about Sweet Baked Potatoes with leftover shredded pork and you have a meal!
- Stuffed Peppers-Cook your meat and rice ahead of time stuff your peppers with your favorite filling and use the microwave to finish it off.
- Meatloaf-My Grandma’s recipe said a little of this and a little of that I worked a little magic for us it can be found below. She would be thrilled that I am sharing it!
Microwave tips;
- I pretty much start everything for 20 seconds, stir and rotate often.
- I rarely suggest microwave temperatures or times, they might work magic on adding a little more time in our life, but no microwave seems to cook at the same time/temp that I have tried.
- Food is often hot on the outside and cold on inside.
- Cover it with a paper towel or microwave food cover.
- Use real dishes when you can ensuring there is no metal at all on the dish. Yikes we did that once, not good at all that microwave bit the dust.
- Keep an eye on your microwave. It’s tempting to walk away and I admit I still do but not for as long. Microwaves are still a cooking device and can cause fires. One time someone I know made those little mac & cheese dishes and forgot to add the water…yikes that was a lot of smoke!
- When you clean your microwave place a coffee cup of water in there first for a couple of minutes and heat it up. Everything wipes down easy after that.
Microwave Meat Loaf
1 lb ground chuck beef
1 egg
1 onion peeled & diced
2 Tbsp ketchup + 2 Tbsp for the top
2 Tbsp A-1 sauce
2 Tbsp Grated cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbs Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Celery Salt
1/4 cup Bread crumbs
2 Tbs milk
- Mix all ingredients together and form into a loaf.
- Put in a microwave safe dish and microwave until done about 20 minutes or internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- For the last minute cover with the remaining ketchup for the top and microwave one more minute.
I hope this helps you create a little magic with your microwave!
-Angie