And so, it begins. One month of circuit breaker. We urge everyone in Singapore to take this month seriously. Try to stay home as much as possible, only going out for essential things like grocery shopping or dabao-ing (takeaway) food. Also, no hoarding, please.
Here are some microwave tips and recipes you can try if you ever feel too lazy or uninspired to cook.
Microwave Facts and Myths
I think the majority of the public has no issues with using a microwave to cook or heat up food. However, there is a certain group of people who refuse to use a microwave because they think that it may explode or cause cancer.
Microwaves Do Not Cause Cancer
The radiation associated to cancer is usually gamma, neutron or ionizing radiation. It’s a type of radiation that can alter a cell’s DNA that can make someone susceptible to cancer.
However, microwaves simply cause molecules to vibrate quickly, which causes heat build-up. This is how your food is being heated up or cooked, by molecule vibrations accumulating heat.
Microwaves Will Cause My Food To Explode
In certain scenarios, this is true. For example, if you’re microwaving food that is packaged in a container and you forgot to remove the lid, the heat cannot escape which results in a “mini-explosion”.
Also, never ever microwave an egg in its shell because it will explode. Even when cracked, eggs may explode in the microwave because rapid heating causes steam to build up under the yolk membrane faster than it can escape.
Point to take back is, make sure to leave some space for the heat to escape.
Microwaves Remove All The Nutrients From My Food
Microwaves may remove some nutrients, but so do other methods of cooking. In the case of vegetables, cooking them in water also removes some of their nutritional value.
According to Harvard Health, microwave cooking can sometimes keep in more vitamins and minerals than any other cooking method. The cooking method that cooks quickly, heats food for the shortest period and uses as little liquid as possible best retains nutrients.
Microwave Recipes
Here are a couple of microwave recipes you can try:
Scrambled Eggs
If you’re too lazy to scramble some eggs on a frying pan, you can try making some microwaved scrambled eggs.
Mix 2 eggs and 2 tablespoons of milk until fully blended into a microwave-safe mug or bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir, and microwave for an additional 30 to 45 seconds.
You can top off with some salt, pepper or herbs at your own preference. If you’re feeling a bit fancier, top it off with cheese and microwave for few more seconds to let it all melt. Place in between two slices of bread for a fuss-free breakfast.
French Toast
Depending on the size of your mug, cut up one to two slices of bread into small cubes. Butter the inside of a microwave-safe mug and place the bread inside.
Prepare a mixture of 1 egg and 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk. Sprinkle some cinnamon and mix well. If you’re a sweets kind of person, you can add in a few sprinkles of sugar as well. You can also replace the cinnamon powder using cocoa powder.
A drop of vanilla essence is perfect for those who love sweet/vanilla-ish French toast.
Pour the mixture in and let it soak for a bit. Place the mug in the microwave and start off with 1 minute before changing it to intervals of 10 seconds until it’s cooked to your liking.
Top it off with some syrup and whipped cream for the perfect mid-day snack.
Mac and Cheese
Mix half a cup of elbow macaroni with half a cup of water with some salt in a microwaveable mug and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir.
Add in ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk, salt and pepper and stir. Continue microwaving it for 30 seconds to 1 minute and top off with a sprinkle of chives (optional).
Chocolate Mug Cake
One of the most classic microwave recipes. Cake in a mug. Here are the items you will need. This recipe is from allrecipes.com
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Simply mix the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large microwave-safe mug and stir in the wet ingredients: milk, canola oil, water, and vanilla extract. Cook in the microwave until cake is done in the middle. This will take about 1 minute 45 seconds to 2 minutes.
Pizza Potatoes
Ever wondered what to do with the leftover tomato sauce you made for your pasta? Try making these pizza potatoes!
This recipe from Thecountrycook.net uses small red potatoes, but we think you can try using other types of potatoes, just make sure they’re fully cooked.
Dice the potatoes into small cubes and grate roughly 3 tablespoons of butter over the bowl of potatoes. If you don’t have a grater, make sure to spread the butter evenly across the bowl. Sprinkle some herb seasonings and salt before covering it up with some microwave-friendly cling wrap. Poke some holes to make sure the hot air can escape. Microwave for 5 minutes or more depending on potato size and type.
One way to check it to use a fork and poke through the potato to see if it’s tender. If not, pop it back into the microwave for a few extra minutes.
Stir in your leftover pasta sauce and top off with some mozzarella cheese. Put the plate (uncovered) into the microwave for about 2-3 minutes until cheese is completely melted.
How To Clean My Microwave?
If somehow or another, something explodes in your microwave – how should you clean it?
Microwave 2 cups of water at full power until steaming but not boiling for about 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes. The steam will loosen dried, stuck-on food which makes it easier for you to wipe away all the gunk.
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