Microwave recipes that are actually nice

[Zara1984]

I cook everything from scratch mostly, but in the past year (since becoming pg, cos I'm
always knackered) I am using my microwave more and more!! Mostly for eg cooking veg (DH hates overlooked veg with a passion, so a 3 minute steam is usually sufficient), rice (love my little plastic rice cooker off eBay), eggs (but they always bloody explode)! And of course defrosting, porridge, all the usual microwave stuff. Oh and once I made a ok-ish chocolate cake in a cup .

Has anyone got other recipes/ideas of how they use their microwave?? Or are we in the domain of 80s cookbooks here? Would love to learn more useful things to do with it, I think it would be handy when baby is here....

Here is a lovely recipe for wilted spinach for one, using the frozen variety:
Place the required quantity of frozen spinach into a microwavable bowl, add a generous knob of salted butter, cover the bowl and heat on full for three minutes. (There is no need to add water, as the ice from the frozen spinach suffices.) You may need an extra minute for a larger-than-average portion.
I have used this recipe successfully several times. If you wish to make it really special and luxurious (and naughty!), stir in a little cream before serving.
Even the youngest members of the family should love this side dish.
Of course, this goes superbly with any microwave fish recipe.
I am always looking for good, reliable recipes for microwave dishes, since my electric oven and hob cost a fortune! (And so say all of us!) I intend to experiment with my slow-cooker, too.

Cheap and distinctly not gourmet. A helping of couscous, done with boiling water from the kettle. When it has soaked for 5 minutes add half a tin of ratatouille. Microwave for a minute or two. Add grated cheese if you like.

But maybe you were looking for something posher 😂

That sounds lovely. (Forget the posh!) Although I'm coeliac, I have found some gluten-free couscous and will try your recipe tomorrow.

I'm all for tasty food and I'll certainly add some parmesan to it for additional flavour.
Thank you so much, FourChimneys!

Ooh I'm having couscous tomorrow; was going to put it into a red pepper and stick it in the airfryer. I have a tin of ratatouille that's been in my cupboard for years; I might try this instead! Thanks

Syrup sponge pudding- in a microwave bowl, grease it first. Add a good couple of inches of syrup. Mix up a basic cake mix- 4oz of SR flour,4 OZ of margarine, 4OZ of caster sugar and 2 eggs. Add cake mix on top of the syrup. Cover with a plate or cling film and put a few holes in. Cook in microwave for approx 5-6 minutes. Take out carefully and invert it onto a plate. Serve with custard or cream or ice cream. Best pudding ever!

Chilli Corned Beef Pie
1 tin of corned beef
1 onion
1 oxo cube - beef
1 tin of baked beans
Chilli powder
Mashed potato any sort , frozen dried or fresh
Chop onion and put in a 3 pt casserole dish with a little butter and micro until soft
Add chilli to taste and corned beef cubes and crumbled oxo and micro 2 mins and stir.
Add drained baked beans . Stir and micro for 2 mins. Add more bean juice if needed.
Top with mashed spud like a shepherds pie.
If I have time I sometimes pop under the grill to crisp and add grated cheese, tomatoes sliced , or both if I have some to use up.
Great winter comfort food

Chilli
Mushroom risotto - 3 cups of stock is 750ml.
Brownies
Macaroni cheese
Toffee pear puddings

I've recently discovered that you can do new potatoes in the microwave (not really sure why this was a revelation to me as I've been microwaving jacket spuds for years, but there you go!)
Just put them in a plastic bowl with a tiny bit of water, cover and microwave for about 7-10 mins. I've also recently discovered that sea bass fillets take about 7mins in the oven, so, with a bit of veg or salad, you can have a healthy, tasty dinner in less than 15mins.

Prick the egg yolk with a pin to stop it exploding.