microwave

Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese! We all know the effects of social distancing and being quarantined at home. It can reek havoc on mental health and increase anxiety, that’s for sure. Rising costs of groceries can contribute to feelings of fear, worry, and frustration as well. That’s when comfort foods come to the rescue. I actually made this dish when my kitchen was being renovated during the pandemic and all I had was a counter microwave for cooking meals. This one-bowl meal eased the pain of feeling like things were out of control. Perhaps it may help you, too.

QUARANTINED MAC ‘N CHEESE

Ingredients For One:

1/2 cup dried macaroni pasta

1/2 cup water

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded

Everything But Bagel Seasoning, for garnish

Instructions:

In a deep microwave-safe dish, combine macaroni pasta, water, and sea salt. Stir to combine. Microwave uncovered on high power for 2 minutes. Stir. Repeat for 4-8 minutes longer, stirring every 2 minutes until pasta is cooked. Using oven mitts, remove dish from microwave. Stir in milk, butter, and cheddar cheese. Microwave on high power in 30-second intervals until cheese has melted and forms a creamy sauce. This will take about 90 seconds total. Garnish with a sprinkling of Everything But Bagel Seasoning. Serve immediately.

Instant Egg Brekkie

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Instant Egg Brekkie! Don’t you love it when you discover a healthy breakfast that can be prepared in a few minutes? Whenever I traveled with my husband, I seemed to be challenged with minimal ways to prepare meals. The one common denominator was a microwave and hot plate. Let me start off by saying, eggs can be tricky in a microwave. Two secrets I want to share: always pierce the egg yolk (or it will explode) and cook eggs on a low power setting in short segments. If you can master those two things, a dozen eggs will go far in the mini-fridge.

INSTANT EGG BREKKIE

Ingredients For One Serving:

3-5 fresh baby spinach leaves, for charring

1 nip seasoned salt

6-7 fresh baby spinach leaves

1/2 teaspoon water

1 slice cherrywood deli ham, gently torn

1 teaspoon feta cheese, crumbled

1 large egg

1 pinch Herbes de Provence seasoning

Garnish with charred spinach leaves and radish slices

Baguette slices

Instructions:

Preheat stovetop grill pan on highest setting for one minute. Spray baby spinach leaves with nonstick oil. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Place the prepared spinach leaves directly on the grill pan. As they begin to char, using a tongs, flip them over. Watch carefully. When leaves appear slightly wilted and charred, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside for garnish. Meanwhile, spray a ramekin with nonstick oil. Pack a layer of baby spinach leaves in the bottom of the dish, pressing down to create an even level. Drizzle with water. Gently tear the cherrywood deli ham over the spinach layer. Add the crumbled feta cheese. Crack an egg over the top. Pierce the egg yolk with a sharp knife or toothpick. Sprinkle with Herbes de Provence seasoning. Cover loosely with a paper towel. Microwave for one minute on 30% power. Gently swirl runny egg white. Microwave for one minute longer on 30% power. The yolk will be slightly runny. Transfer ramekin to a plate. Arrange the charred spinach leaves on top. Garnish with radish slices. Serve with baguette slices. Repeat for number of portions needed.

Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese! We all know the effects of social distancing and being quarantined at home. It can reek havoc on mental health and increase anxiety, that’s for sure. Rising costs of groceries can contribute to feelings of fear, worry, and frustration as well. That’s when comfort foods come to the rescue. I actually made this dish when my kitchen was being renovated during the pandemic and all I had was a counter microwave for cooking meals. This one-bowl meal eased the pain of feeling like things were out of control. Perhaps it may help you, too.

QUARANTINED MAC ‘N CHEESE

Ingredients For One:

1/2 cup dried macaroni pasta

1/2 cup water

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded

Everything But Bagel Seasoning, for garnish

Instructions:

In a deep microwave-safe dish, combine macaroni pasta, water, and sea salt. Stir to combine. Microwave uncovered on high power for 2 minutes. Stir. Repeat for 4-8 minutes longer, stirring every 2 minutes until pasta is cooked. Using oven mitts, remove dish from microwave. Stir in milk, butter, and cheddar cheese. Microwave on high power in 30-second intervals until cheese has melted and forms a creamy sauce. This will take about 90 seconds total. Garnish with a sprinkling of Everything But Bagel Seasoning. Serve immediately.

Quick-Fried Potatoes

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Food Whisperer: Quick-Fried Potatoes! My favorite breakfast consists of eggs-over-easy, pan-fried potatoes, and crispy bacon. I love it when the warm runny yolks gush over the buttery chunks of Idaho potatoes, seasoned just right. I learned a long time ago the secret to perfect hash browns. Begin with baked potatoes. My sister-in-law gleaned that little secret from a restaurant where she worked. Thankfully, anyone can bake a potato in five minutes by using the microwave. Just don’t forget to pierce it first.

QUICK-FRIED POTATOES

Ingredients:

1 baking potato, skin on

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:

Wash potato; pat dry. Pierce with a paring knife. Microwave on High for 4 minutes. Carefully remove from oven and cut into slices or chunks. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes and onions. Sprinkle with seasoned salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Fry mixture until crispy, turning once or twice. Enjoy!