Not everyone has a state-of-the-art kitchen like Mrs. Fields, but that doesn't mean that wonderful food is out of reach. A friend asked me recently if I had any good recipes for her daughter who is away at college with only a mini fridge and a microwave in her dorm room. I came up with three dishes using only a handful of ingredients that will be easy to keep on hand and have a long shelf life. And the only tools you'll need for these dishes are a coffee mug, a tablespoon,a plate, a fork and knife. So simple!
Let's start with an easy breakfast that takes less than five minutes to prepare and will give you a protein-rich beginning to your day.
Breakfast in a Mug
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs
1 tablespoon water (or milk)
salt
pepper
cheddar cheese
Directions
Microwave butter in a ceramic mug for 30 seconds. Add eggs, water, and a dash of salt and pepper to the mug. Use a fork to whisk ingredients together. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Remove and give a quick stir to ensure even cooking. Return to the microwave and cook on high for an additional 45 seconds. Top with cheddar cheese.
HINT: Dress up these eggs any way you like. Add fresh vegetables, bacon, or sliced ham for a savory breakfast.
Next, we have a healthy, easy dish that is great for lunch, dinner, or snack. Fresh tomato slices add some delicious zing (and nutrients) to a traditional ham and cheese. This recipe can be used as a template and is best prepared with this formula: a protein, a fruit or vegetable, and a little bit of fat in the form of cheese or sauce.
Ham and Cheese Wrap
1 flour tortilla
2 slices of deli ham
1 slice of cheddar cheese
1 small tomato, sliced
Directions
Place ham on tortilla and top with pieces of the cheese slice. Top with slices of tomato. Roll up tortilla and microwave on 70% for 90 seconds. Remove and enjoy!
HINT: Try these combinations for other wraps—peanut butter, banana and jelly, turkey and swiss, canned chicken, barbecue sauce and pineapple. Combine this recipe with the Breakfast in a Mug recipe for a delicious breakfast burrito!
Finally, a decadent (and low-fat!) dessert for you to enjoy. This makes a single serving chocolate cake that is super moist and has almost a custard-like texture. This is sure to curb any late-night chocolate cravings without inviting those pesky Freshman Fifteen!
Low-Fat Chocolate Cake for One
5 tablespoons chocolate cake mix
2 tablespoons yogurt (plain or vanilla work best, though a fruit flavor would be fine)
1 tablespoon diet soda (cola or root beer)
powdered sugar (optional)
Directions
Combine cake mix, yogurt, and soda in a coffee mug and stir with fork until smooth and thick. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, or until top of cake begins to crack and pull away from the edges. Remove and allow to for a few minutes. Eat directly out of the mug, or use a knife to separate cake from mug and transfer to a dish. Top with powdered sugar.
HINT: Add a scoop of ice cream with chocolate syrup for a truly decadent treat!
Do you have any other great microwave dishes? Share them in the comments section.