Guest Post: The Mellifluous Microwave – Carrots 'N' Cake

Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 01:49 PM

Guest Post: The Mellifluous Microwave

By Mimi H.

Hello! I am a college student in San Francisco. While the city has slews of great restaurants, my wallet does not have slews of cash. At the same time, cafeteria food can be dull and inconvenient, so I like to fix food in my room. But all I have are a fridge, freezer, coffee pot, and microwave. How do I feed myself? ‘Tis what I’m about to share with you! I hope to give some tips and recipes for getting a good meal out of your mini warhead. At the same time, I refuse to gain the Freshman 15, so dishes mentioned will have nutrition in mind.

Microwaves are a staple in most homes, but always as the less competent brother to the stove and oven. Or even the psycho brother who will one day become a supervillain and take over the world. Radiation, nuking food into oblivion, ruining your gold-rimmed plates-yes, the microwave can be a bit of a brat when not handled right. But like that unruly kid in an 80’s movie, the microwave, when carefully nurtured, can become an all-star karate cooker.

Today: Bread!

Granted, most people have toasters. But what if you’re trapped at a poorly supplied office, a fellow college student, or stuck a fork in your belligerent toaster and are now left with a hunk of smelly metal?

You can use your microwave!

Now, some of you are probably snickering at the ignorance of youth. You probably tried to make microwave toast and came out with either a soggy sponge or a monstrous crouton. Snicker not-you just did it the wrong way.

You cannot toast bread in your microwave. A microwave does not heat that way. But you can make nice, hot, bread that still has a touch of moisture while being stiffer than bag bread.

Listen close-this is the secret that trumps ‘em all, from the JFK assassination to Atlantis.

Swaddling!

Soggy bread is gross, unless the sogginess is caused by chili. Ergo, you need something to keep the bread from soggifying. You can use a paper towel or napkin. Just loosely wrap the slice of bread in a paper towel (I use two cafeteria napkins). Put your swaddled slice in the microwave for 20 seconds. Then, flip it over. Wait a few seconds before touching it, as bread heats up super fast. Microwave for another 20. Oh, and since microwaves differ, this time is not set in stone. Your microwave might take a little longer or a little shorter; you need to spend some quality time with the box to get a feel for its mannerisms. Once the bread’s done, let it sit for at least 30 seconds.

With a microwave, your food continues to cook after the microwave has stopped, because heat is dispersing through the food. You think those directions on frozen lasagna about letting it sit for two minutes are out of concern for your pretty hands? Nope. It’s still cooking.

Now, unwrap your little quasi-toastie. It will not be quite as stiff as regular toast, but it will be more so than plain bread. And best of all, it’s nice and warm. Just spread on some jam or whatever suits your fancy, and you’ll have a yummy snack.

Does the swaddling trick work for other foods? Yup! I make Amy’s Toaster Pops, waffles, and pitas in the microwave all the time. Here are a few quick, single-serving recipes. These are pretty flexible-play around them and find what you like the best! I find they work best as a meal centerpiece, with some eggs and fruit on the side. Then again, I’m a breakfast person.

Ploughman’s Toastie

1 slice of bread

¼ cup cottage cheese

¼ cup fresh or thawed frozen fruit (blueberries, bananas, and pears are wonderful)

Dash of cinnamon

Spritz of no calorie butter spray (optional)

If you are using a small piece of bread, you might want to eat this with a fork, as the stuff will get pretty piled. Or better yet, if you like, divide the toppings between two small pieces of bread.

Heat bread in microwave. If desired, spritz with butter spray. Now, spread on the fruit, top with cottage cheese, and sprinkle on a bit of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Waffle Cup

1 waffle (I love Kashi strawberry flax!)

1 tbsp peanut or almond butter

¼ tsp of pure dark cocoa powder

1 tbsp of sugar-free maple syrup

Heat waffle in microwave. You can swaddle it if you want, but I personally don’t like to. The waffle is sturdier than sliced bread, so it doesn’t get as soggy, and I like moisture in my waffles. Now, spread on the peanut butter, sprinkle on the cocoa powder, and top with maple syrup.

Amy’s Toaster Pop 2.0

1 Amy’s Toaster Pop

¼ cup blueberries OR ½ sliced banana (or lesser quantities of both!)

1 tbsp peanut or almond butter

1 tbsp of maple syrup (Maple Grove Farms has a great sugar free kind)

Dash of cinnamon

Who doesn’t love a Pop-Tart? I do, but Pop-Tarts are like little chemistry sets waiting to violate my belly and expand my waistline. Amy’s Kitchen has come out with toaster pops that are wheatie and low in sugar. I like Amy’s, but I find the toaster pops kind of dull. They need a bit of sprucing!

Heat toaster pop in microwave, 25 seconds per side. Now, spread with peanut butter, add the fruit, and top with maple syrup and cinnamon.

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