Living in a dorm is wonderful for a score of reasons. You’re always around your friends. Your classes are so close that you can leave 6 minutes beforehand and be early. You can spend an entire weekend inside one building, only leaving when the sun has not been in the sky for hours. However, one of problems with living in a dorm is the lack of a kitchen. The dining hall is an elevator ride away; yet, once you arrive, all the food can blend together into this bland, awkwardly-textured muck that just doesn’t appeal to your growling stomach. And while you could go out to dinner when this happens, an alternative is to make your own food… in the microwave.
Microwave recipes have been popping up everywhere. Even better? Most of these recipes can be made in a mug. So, here is a list of fun fall recipes that can satisfy that growling stomach, no matter what meal.
1. Microwave Cinnamon Maple Quinoa (http://www.laurenslatest.com/microwave-cinnamon-maple-breakfast-quinoa/)
Ingredients:
· ½ cup quinoa
· 1 cup cold water
· ½ teaspoon cinnamon
· 2 teaspoons butter
· Milk or cream, for taste
· Maple syrup, to taste
· 1 sliced banana
Directions:
1. Place quinoa in water and rinse well.
2. Drain quinoa, and then stir in 1 cup cold water, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon butter.
3. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir and microwave 3 more minutes. Remove from microwave, cover with foil and sit 2 minutes.
4. Fluff quinoa and still in remaining butter.
5. Divide between 2 bowls and top with milk, maple syrup, banana slices and any extra cinnamon to taste.
2. Mug Banana Bread (http://vittlesandbits.blogspot.com/2012/02/mug-banana-bread.html?m=1)
Ingredients:
· 3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
· 1 packet of stevia (or other sweetener of your choice that is equivalent to 2 teaspoons sugar)
· 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
· 1/8 teaspoon salt
· 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 egg
· ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
· 1 tablespoon low-fat milk
· Half a banana, mashed
· Cinnamon for taste (optional)
Directions:
1. In a large microwaveable mug lightly misted with non-stick spray, blend flour, sugars, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
2. Add egg and mix until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.
3. Stir in vanilla, oil and milk, then mashed banana.
4. Microwave 1½ to 3 minutes, depending on your microwave.
3. Meatloaf in a Mug (http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/meat-loaf-in-a-mug)
Ingredients:
· 2 tablespoons 2% milk
· 1 tablespoon ketchup
· 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
· 1 teaspoon onion soup mix
· ¼ lb lean ground beef
· Additional ketchup, optional
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, combine the milk, ketchup, oats and soup mix.
2. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.
3. Pat into a microwave-safe mug coated with cooking spray.
4. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, drain.
5. Let stand for 3 minutes. Serve with additional ketchup.
4. Challenge: Chicken and Mushroom in Spicy Tomato Sauce (http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/easy-microwave-recipes/p116242/page4?utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliate&u%20tm_campaign=TBC_SAS&lc=SAS-TBC6)
Ingredients:
· 500 grams boneless chicken, cut into 1 inch pieces
· 10 to 12 quartered mushrooms
· 1 large tomato
· 3 to 4 spring onions
· 5 cloves garlic
· 2 tablespoons butter
· Salt to taste
· ¾ cup tomato puree
· 1 tablespoon crushed red chilies
· 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
· 5 to 6 crushed black
· Peppercorns
· 2 teaspoons honey
· ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
· 2 to 3 stalks of green onions, chopped
Directions:
1. Wash and blanch the tomato in a quarter cup of water in a bowl, covered, in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.
2. Remove, put in cold water, peel, cut into half, deseed and further cut into quarter inch cubes.
3. Mix the butter, spring onions, garlic, chicken cubes and salt in a deep microwave mug.
4. Cover and cook in the microwave on high for 4 minutes.
5. Add diced tomato, tomato puree, crushed red chilies, Worcestershire sauce, peppercorns and mushrooms.
6. Cover and cook in the microwave on high for 3 minutes.
7. Add honey and dried oregano to the tomato gravy, cover and cook in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.
8. Sprinkle spring onion greens and serve hot.
5. Microwave Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookie (http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2013/10/30/microwave-pumpkin-oatmeal-cookie-for-one/)
Ingredients:
· 1 very ripe banana, mashed
· 3 tablespoons Almond Breeze vanilla almond milk
· 3 tablespoons rolled oats
· 2 tablespoons pumpkin (canned is fine)
· 1 tablespoons nut butter (any kind)
· 3 teaspoons raisins or other dried fruit
· 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
· ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
· ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
Directions:
1. Combine and mix all ingredients in a lightly greased/cooking sprayed or nonstick microwavable mug.
2. Microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Let cool and enjoy!