Help me come up with

[linsleyd]

dinners that only need a refrigerator and microwave.:D

DH and I are gutting our house and can do no more take-out. We have a refrigerator and a microwave. Friday we picked up some fried chicken and chicken/tuna salad and coleslaw. That helped us through the weekend. What can I do this week? I'm going to stop at the store tonight to pick up some things but I'm really at a loss. We just pulled the kitchen out on Friday and we are in the process of laying the durock and then tile. Hopefully once that is done we can pick up the cabinets and appliances, but we're looking at least two weeks of trying to eat this way.

I have no crockpot or anything else, everything is in storage and I had to try to find my coffee maker last night and that's the last time I enter the storage area until we move. I am NOT a good packer! My coffee maker was in three boxes; maker in one, carafe in another and the lid in yet another. What was I thinking?

Anyway, I digress - anyone have any ideas of simple meals with nothing to make them in! :D

[zackaboo]

The first thing that comes to my mind is dinner salads and wraps with fresh ingredients (veggies, spinach, black beans, etc.) that don't need any cooking preparation. If you like Thai flavors, this is a great dinner salad and you could easily use a rotisserie chicken for the chopped chicken. There are also lots of vegetables that taste great cooked in the microwave. Fresh corn is one of them. Hope those ideas help a little. I sympathize with your situation but what fun a new kitchen will be!


* Exported from MasterCook *

Thai Chicken Salad

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Poultry Salads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
4 teaspoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 Tablespoon water
3 green onions -- chopped

2 cups chicken -- cut into bite sized pieces
red leaf lettuce -- torn into pieces
1/2 cucumber -- peeled and sliced
11 ounces can mandarin oranges -- drained
1/2 cup peanuts

Combine dressing ingredients - mixing until peanut butter is smooth and well-blended and sugar is dissolved.

Place chicken in bowl. Add dressing and mix thoroughly to coat.

Place lettuce in serving bowl. Sprinkle cucumbers over lettuce. Place chicken with dressing on top. Garnish with oranges and peanuts.

Cuisine:
"Thai"
Source:
"When Pigs Fly Cookbook"

[sneezles]

I have 2 microwave cookbooks that I'd be more than happy to send you!! Seriously!!!

Do you have a clay pot by any chance, that's not packed away? Very handy for microwaving. You'll at least need a couple of different sizes of glass containers.

A 1 1/2 pond meatloaf in a 9x5-inch glass pan can be microwave for 25-35 minutes on med-high. You'll need to cover with a sauce though since the top won't be browned like in an oven.

Potatoes can be "baked" and then "twice baked"

You can poach chicken and fish

Scalloped potatoes

Noodles can be boiled, onionand celery "sautéed" then mixed with ham or tuna, mushroom soup for a casserole.

Have a recipe for crustless quiche, coq auvin, beef stew and you could do lasagne with the no-boil pasta...

[linsleyd]

Susan, you just gave me a few good ideas! I do not have a clay oven, unfortunately. I've never really "cooked" with the microwave so I'm not quite sure how to do things with it. Isn't that rather embarassing? I've only used it for popcorn, defrosting and heating up soups and such things.

[sneezles]

Originally posted by linsleyd
Susan, you just gave me a few good ideas!

OK but I'm still serious about the cookbooks! ;)

[funniegrrl]

Here's a microwave dish that works just as well as cooking it in the oven or on the stove. Take frozen filled pasta like ravioli (Rosetto is a standard brand I think) and jarred marinara. Combine in a casserole dish, making sure the pasta is completely covered in sauce. Cook according to the microwave directions on the pasta package.

[springsgourmet9]

Do you have a gas grill? While remodeling our kitchen last spring I cooked most of our meals on the grill (wraps in foil can get pretty creative and this cut down on dishes). We used our basement wash tubs for our water needs and dishes. We even used our coleman cookstove. I cooked all meals (except for Friday nights) and it worked out fine.

Good luck with your new kitchen.

[JRM24]

I was thinking about the grill too. That would help out a lot! Otherwise, salads, soups, sandwhiches. If you are trying to stay away from the processed packaged foods (easy microwavables), you could do soups and sandwhiches, wraps, rotissere chicken (freshly cooked from the supermarket), rice based dishes, pasta bakes in the microwave, etc. Think of things that you would take to work for lunch!

Good luck with the renovation!

[linsleyd]

Ok, Susan I may take you up on one of the cookbooks.

We have a gas grill but it's not at the new house yet. We've contemplated getting it over but it requires several strong guys to get it onto DH's truck. Once we get it over life will be simpler but it may not be for another two-three weeks.

Thanks for the ravioli idea funniegrrl, and all the other suggestions!

springsgourmet, did you ever get a supper club started or join one? Once we are settled I would love to join/start one, let me know!

[SueK]

Linsley -
I haven't personally made this one from Superfast, but it's gotten lots of great reviews before:

Microwave Green Chile-Chicken Risotto

(Serves 4, l l/3 cup servings)
Prep 5 min, cook 23 min, stand 5 min

2 Tbs. butter
l/2 c. chopped red onion, divided
l c. uncooked arborio rice
l l4-oz. can ff, less-sodium chicken broth
l l/2 c. water, divided
l 4.5-oz. can whole green chiles, drained
l l/2 c. chopped roasted chicken breast
l c. (4 oz) shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
2 Tbs. water
l/4 tsp. salt
l/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro

Combine butter, onion, rice, broth, & 3/4 c. water in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Cover w/heavy-duty plastic wrap, vent. Microwave on HIGH l5 min, rotating dish a l/2 turn after 7 l/2 min. Stir in remaining 3/4 c. water, cover & zap on HIGH another 5 min.

Stir chiles & chicken into rice, cover and let stand 5 min. Uncover & stir in cheese, 2 Tbs. water, salt, cilantro.

398 cals; l2.8g fat; 64mg chol

Source:
"CL Superfast Suppers"

[linsleyd]

Sue, thanks for that idea, that looks simple enough and actually good!

[SueK]

Now that I'm looking at the actual book, it has more than a few microwave recipes. I'll check them out and post some better-sounding ones later today for you!

[springsgourmet9]

linsleyd,
I posted info but had no response from immediate area. There is one in West Chester, I believe, but was hoping for one a little closer. Would love to meet and help start one. Keep in touch after you are settled. I would think there would be more interest since there are so many houses being built in the area. We have been here for 20 years and wow has it grown.

[linsleyd]

Good, I will try to contact you when we get settled!