Use your mugs for more than just coffee

 

There are times you don’t feel like eating a big meal, or when you’re hurrying to school or a meeting and just don’t have time to make a big meal.

Or maybe you just want a hearty snack, a quick dessert or a healthy breakfast on the run.

Instead of dragging out all your pots and pans and scouring your shelves and refrigerator for a plethora of ingredients, try making a single-serving dish in a mug.

If there’s one item people seem to have plenty of, it’s coffee mugs. Just make sure the one you’re using is microwave or oven-safe.

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your mug. 

Remember, too, that every microwave has a different power level, so cooking times may need to be adjusted. Keep an eye on your food to make sure it’s not over or undercooked.

These small, quick foods are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or desserts, and they typically take little time to prepare. 

And for students who are craving a snack after classes or looking for something to tide them over before heading to sports practice or extracurricular activities, they’re ideal.

And since they’re small portions and use little of any one ingredient, they’re also perfect to make multiple dishes to satisfy the palate of even a picky eater.

Following are some mug recipes from www.biggerbolderbaking.com.

 

 

Microwave Broccoli and Cheese Rice Bowl in a Mug

5 tablespoons quick-cooking rice

2/3 cup cold water

2 broccoli florets, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

3 tablespoons milk

4 tablespoons grated cheddar

Salt 

Place rice, broccoli and cold water in a large, microwavable bowl. Place a plate over the top of the bowl, then microwave for 3-1/2 to four minutes. Keep a close eye on it as it cooks as the water can overflow if the bowl is too small.

When rice is fully cooked, remove from the microwave and mix in cornstarch, milk, grated cheese, milk and a pinch of salt. Microwave an additional 90 seconds.

Eat warm, straight from the microwave.

 

 

Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake

2-1/2 tablespoons flour

2-1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 large egg, room temperature

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

In a microwaveable mug, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt with a fork. Add egg, milk, oil and chocolate chips and whisk until you have a smooth cake batter.

Microwave for roughly 45 seconds, then check for doneness. The cake should have risen and be firm to the touch. If it is not done and still looks wet on top, microwave 10 seconds at a time, until just set.

Once cooked, top with little fudge frosting, whipped cream or ice cream and sprinkles and serve.

 

 

Microwave Calzone in a Mug

8 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 to 4 tablespoons tomato sauce

4 to 5 tablespoons finely grated mozzarella cheese

1/4 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning

Parsley, optional

In a microwave-safe mug, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add milk and oil and mix thoroughly until you have a smooth batter. If there are a few lumps, don’t worry.

In the center of the batter, drop a spoonful of tomato sauce, cheese, Italian seasonings and pepperoni. Pull batter over the center to hide the calzone filling.

Microwave one minute, 50 seconds to two minutes, 10 seconds, until the top is risen and firm to the touch. Garnish with parsley and tomato sauce, if desired, and eat.

 

 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup In A Mug

3/4 cup water

3 tablespoons potatoes, cut into small cubes

1 tablespoon white onion, chopped

2 tablespoons cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon bacon, cooked

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock

1/4 cup milk

Salt 

Pepper

Sour cream, optional

Place potatoes and water into a large microwaveable mug. Microwave three to four minutes, stirring halfway through, until potatoes are tender. 

Drain cooking water, then stir in bacon, cheese and onions and cornstarch. Stir in stock and milk and season with salt and pepper.

Microwave 2-1/2 to three minutes, until it thickens and ingredients are heated through. Keep a close eye on it while microwaving so it doesn’t overflow or overcook.

Serve topped with sour cream and some more sprinkles of bacon and chives

 

 

Microwave Lasagna 

2 lasagna pasta sheets

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 tablespoons pizza sauce

4 tablespoons ricotta cheese

3 tablespoons spinach, uncooked

2 tablespoons cooked sausage, optional

1 tablespoon grated cheddar cheese

Break pasta sheets and place in a large microwavable mug. Cover with water and olive oil, then microwave three to four minutes, checking and stirring halfway through, until pasta is tender. 

Drain cooking water and remove pasta from the mug.

Place one tablespoons pizza sauce on the bottom of the mug., then add layers of pasta, spinach, sausage and ricotta. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the mug, then sprinkle grated cheddar on top.

Microwave 2-1/2 to three minutes, until the lasagna is heated through. Let cool a couple minutes, then eat.

 

 

Microwave Breakfast Burrito in a Mug

1 9-inch flour or whole wheat tortilla

2 eggs

2 tablespoons pinto or black beans

2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated

2 tablespoons scallions, chopped

Salt 

Pepper

Salsa

Sour cream

Press tortilla into a large microwavable mug. It will naturally fold into the shape of the mug.

Crack in the eggs and whisk with a fork, taking care not to tear the tortilla. Add cheese, beans and scallions. Season with salt and pepper and mix together. 

Microwave 1 minute, 20 seconds. If the eggs are still liquid, cook 15 to 20 seconds more. Keep an eye during cooking so the eggs don’t overheat. 

Let it sit three minutes to cool. Serve with sour cream and salsa on top. 

 

 

S’more Mug Cake

3 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

3 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablespoons water

Pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons cookie crumbs

3 marshmallows

Mix ingredients except for cookie crumbs and marshmallows in a microwavable mug.

If you don’t want to cook it right away, refrigerate as long as 24 hours.

Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds. Once the mug cake is firm, sprinkle with cookie crumbs and marshmallows. Microwave 20 seconds to make the marshmallows soft and fluffy, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

 

 

Two-Minute Microwave Brownie Bowl

1/2 cup sugar

6 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder

1/3 cup flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons whole milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Vanilla ice cream

In a microwave-safe soup bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, flour, salt, milk, oil and vanilla extract until a smooth batter forms. Fold in chocolate chips, then wipe the edge of the bowl clean.

Microwave for 90 seconds, then in 20-second increments until set. 

Let cool 10 minutes before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 

 

Homemade Microwave Ramen in a Mug

1 cup chicken or vegetable stock

A few strands of ramen noodles, broken up to fit in mug 

2 tablespoons frozen mixed vegetables

2 teaspoons amino acids or soy sauce

1/2 teaspoons chili sauce

1 tablespoon green onions, sliced

In a large microwavable mug, combine all the ingredients. Microwave two to 2-1/2 minutes, until noodles are tender. 

Serve hot from the microwave, adding more chili sauce, sesame seeds or any flavorings you like.

 

 

Mug Apple Crisp

 

3 tablespoons butter, melted

4 tablespoons oats

2 tablespoons chopped pecans

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 small apple, chopped small

1/2 tablespoon flour

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

In a small bowl, stir oats, pecans,  2 tablespoons brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in melted butter.

Toss apples with 1/2 tablespoon flour, 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, and  cinnamon.

Fill microwavable mug with the apple, then spoon oat and pecan mixture over the top. Microwave two to 2-1/2 minutes, until apples are bubbling and mixture is reduced in size. 

Carefully remove from the microwave and let stand until cool enough to eat. Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream