Meals in Minutes

Some weeks are longer than others. You all know those weeks where it feels like there is no time to make dinner let alone meal prep. During times like these it’s easy to turn to your nearest fast food drive-thru or Chinese takeout. Fortunately there are ways to make quick meals with what you have in the house. Microwaves are actually a great way to make your dinners without having to forfeit nutrition or taste. The best thing you could do is have microwave-friendly foods on hand when you need them during stressful weeks.

Fresh soups are my favorite last minute meal. One Sunday a month I like to prepare a large pot of soup. I put it in plastic containers and leave it in the freezer to pop out whenever I need a quick meal. I usually separate it into single portion plastic containers so I don’t have to waste any extra. Put the frozen block of soup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until the soup is liquid and warm again. It will taste like you just made it! If you don’t have the time or skills to make your own soup, head to your local grocery store for freshly prepared varieties of soup.

Another food that cooks wonderfully in the microwave are baked potatoes, white or sweet. It’s no surprise that I am a huge fan of sweet potatoes. They always seem to satisfy my sweet and savory senses and keep me fuller longer! Sweet potatoes are so simple because they just need to be washed before popping them in the microwave oven. Six minutes later you have your perfect baked yam that you can cut and season however you like. Be careful though, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burned my hand on a hot potato.

Did you know that frozen vegetables can contain more nutrients than fresh vegetables? This is because vegetable farmers harvest frozen vegetables at their peak ripeness and flash freeze them to maintain their nutrient content over time. They are also the sweetest, juiciest veggies that you will find. The beauty of frozen veggies in a bag is how simple they are to reheat. Throw them in a bowl with saran wrap over them and heat for a few minutes. You’ll have fresh veggies prepared in no time. Microwave steaming is actually the best way to cook your veggies without losing nutrients in the heating process. There is no excuse to miss out on your daily serving of vegetables!

According to the National Whole Grain Council, nearly two-thirds of Americans are finally following the Dietary Guidelines to make at least half their daily grains whole grains. Whole grains are important because they contain more vitamins and minerals than refined grains. They also improve digestion, reduce your risk of certain cancers and may lower your cholesterol. It’s actually a lot easier to get whole grains in than you think. If you’re looking for a quick snack with no time on your hands, microwave some corn kernels! Popcorn is a tasty snack and a whole grain. Ditch the microwave bags loaded with salt and butter, make it air-popped for a low calorie and easy to make treat!

You can even microwave your protein. Using the same concept as with vegetables, it is possible to steam fish in the microwave. You might be questioning it’s delivery but trust me, it’s delicious! Place a fillet of salmon with some spices in a microwave safe plate with plastic wrap in the microwave for 5 minutes for a quick and easy fish dinner. Or try placing chicken tenders, Southwest seasoning, peppers, and onions in the microwave for super easy fajitas.

With all these tips and tricks, you can literally create an entire easy, healthy, and fresh meal in your microwave in minutes! Not only will you save time but you will also save money by purchasing the raw ingredients rather than take-out.

Your turn to take action: Purchase some cleaned and cut veggies and some lean meat like chicken tenders to quickly steam a delicious meal in your microwave. Let me know how it comes out, comment below!

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