6 Dishes You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Make in a Microwave Oven

If you are like most Filipinos, you probably use your microwave oven mainly for mundane kitchen tasks like reheating leftover food, defrosting frozen meats and seafood, and popping microwave popcorn. If that is the full breadth of the uses you have for your microwave oven, then that is rather unfortunate. You may not realize it, but your microwave oven can do so much more, from cooking your favorite Filipino dishes and other satisfying meals to creating scrumptious snacks and desserts.

This handy yet highly underestimated appliance is the most functional, versatile, and hassle-free kitchen appliance you can ever own, especially if you live alone. With the right ingredients and know-how, you can use your microwave to whip up different meals any time of the day in a matter of minutes instead of hours. Still can’t believe it? Perhaps you should try making the following microwavable dishes to see for yourself.

Cheesy Omelet

Your breakfast mornings will never be the same once you try cooking this tasty dish that takes less than 5 minutes to make. All you need are three eggs, ¼ cup milk, grated cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. If you have leftover meat or vegetables in the fridge, you can chop them up in small pieces to make this dish a little bit more fancy.

Crack the eggs, whisk them together with the milk, and add a dash of salt and pepper. You can also add the chopped meat and veggies if you want. Pour the egg mixture into a microwaveable mug or bowl and top it with grated cheese. Pop it in the microwave, cook for about a minute, and serve.

Ham and Mushroom Quiche

Another satisfying egg-based meal you can whip up under 5 minutes is ham and mushroom quiche. The preparation is similar to an omelet, although you need to add cut-up bread pieces for this recipe. Note that quiche can be considered a one-dish meal because it contains an ingredient or two from all the important food groups.

To make it, combine egg, chopped ham (you can also use spam or bacon), about a tablespoon of butter, fresh or canned mushrooms sliced thinly, bread slices, milk, cheese, and salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe shallow dish or ramekin, and cook in the microwave for a minute or until the egg has set. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and grated cheese while the egg is still hot for an added treat.

Banana Pancakes

Skip the breakfast meal from your favorite fast-food place and make your own special pancake instead. Prepare the batter by adding water or milk, and eggs, into a store-bought pancake mix. Once your batter is ready, add chopped bananas and a dash of cinnamon to the mix. Set this aside. Line a mug or shallow bowl with butter and pour your mixture afterward. Microwave on medium power for a minute or until the batter is no longer wet. Top the finished product with maple syrup and butter. Enjoy your pancake with a cup of steaming hot coffee or tea.

Fried Rice

If you feel hungry going home from the office, you can whip up a filling rice meal with the help of your microwave. For this recipe, you need leftover rice, egg, chopped spam, frozen corn and carrots that you can buy in any grocery store, teriyaki or oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. You can replace the ham with another protein or omit the veggies if they are not available.

The process of making this fried rice dish is simple. Pop the frozen corn and carrots in the microwave for about a minute then set them aside. Whisk a couple of eggs in a separate bowl, and microwave until cooked. Once you are done preparing the ingredients for your fried rice, you can start mixing all the components together. Season with teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and sugar according to your taste. Heat up the rice for one minute, and enjoy a satisfying and healthy meal at home.

Chicken Adobo

Although it sounds too good to be true, you can indeed cook chicken adobo in a microwave oven. How? Start by preparing the ingredients: ½ kilogram of chicken pieces, ¼ cup of soy sauce, ¼ cup of white vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, one head of crushed garlic, some bay leaves, and pepper to taste.

Once everything is ready, combine the seasonings then add the chicken. Mix well to ensure that the chicken absorbs all the flavor. Transfer the chicken, skin down, to a microwavable casserole, pour the leftover sauce, cover with the lid, and microwave for 10 minutes. When you hear the “ding,” turn the poultry cuts over and cook it again for another 13 minutes or until done. You will surely enjoy this dish with a cup of hot, fluffy rice.

Chocolate Pudding

Are you craving for some dessert? Try whipping up chocolate pudding in a microwave oven to satisfy your sweet tooth in no time. All you need are ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup of sugar, three tablespoons of cornstarch, two cups of milk, and two teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavor and aroma. Mix all the dry ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, then start adding milk gradually until the mixture is smooth.

Pop the chocolate mixture in the microwave oven, cook for 3 minutes and stir while hot. Afterward, place the mixture back into the microwave for another minute, and whisk again. Do this process a couple more times until the mixture becomes thick and shiny. Add the vanilla last. Chill the bowl in the refrigerator for a few hours before bringing it out and enjoying the chocolatey goodness while the pudding is still cold.

The recipes above are just some of the tasty dishes you can prepare using your trusty microwave. With this gadget in your kitchen, you can readily satisfy your hunger and cravings within a few minutes. Do not miss out. Try these recipes today and continue exploring other microwavable meals that you can whip up at home.