What to Do for Lunch When Time Is Short

Cooking in the microwave does not always appeal to some people's tastes, since many foods do not get the same flavor, texture, and seasoning as when made on a slow cooker or stovetop. However, there's a dish that looks and tastes just as great when cooked in this appliance. Microwaves can be very helpful if you need quick cooking, so consider this food item with ingredients that are very cheap and combine to make a delicious dish that you can enjoy as a quick and healthy dinner.

Traditional Asian Recipe

One dish ever present on classic Chinese restaurant menus is fried rice with egg. It is very similar to a fried rice egg roll, except that the ingredients are presented in a different way. The former includes the egg mixed with the rice, and the latter provides the rice and vegetables inside a wrapper made with beaten egg. Learn how to make this easy-to-cook dish like Chinese restaurants do but with the interesting twist of being made in a microwave.

Microwave Egg Fried Rice

Ingredients

3/4 cup cooked long-grain rice
1/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 large egg
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil

Preparation

In a mug, pour the egg and beat it well, as if you were going to make an omelet. Place the mug in the microwave and heat for 1:10 minutes.
Place the cooked rice in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a dampened paper towel. Cook for two minutes on high in the microwave oven.
Add sesame oil and soy sauce to the heated rice and mix well.
Add the vegetables into the bowl and stir again until well-mixed. Heat again in the microwave for one minute, covering the bowl with the paper towel.
Stir the cooked eggs to scramble and add them to the rice. Microwave for 30 seconds on high.
Enjoy.

Flavor and Texture

If you require a higher protein intake or want to turn this quick dish into lunch, rotisserie chicken or canned chicken breast are delicious accompaniments. Tofu is also an option, and making this dish with already fried rice is a great choice too. You can take advantage of the microwave rice by adding scallions and garlic and frying them in cooking oil for a delicious meal. For stronger flavor and texture you can add shrimp or pork; however, these ingredients will make the preparation a little longer to cook.

International Versions

There are some Asian recipes of egg fried rice that you can make in the microwave too, and a good example is Thai style egg fried rice which includes fish sauce along with red chilis or serrano pepper. You can also add cilantro, lime, and green onion on top. Another style is Indian egg fried rice which contains spices such as mustard seeds, turmeric, and peppers infused in the frying oil. When microwaving, you can sprinkle these ingredients on top.

Microwave Cooking

It may happen that your microwave does not have the power intended for this recipe; and depending on the microwave power, some changes in the cooking time may be needed. The higher the power, the less cooking time required; so for a 1200- or 1300-watt microwave, 1 minute of cooking time is enough to prepare these meals. If your microwave is a 1000-watt unit, increase the cooking times of steps 2 and 4 to 1:15 each to compensate. And finally, if the power is around 800-900 watts, as in most small units, change the cooking times of steps 2 and 4 to 1:50.

Storage

If you can't eat the entire portion or prefer to leave it ready for later, simply cover the bowl with kitchen paper and store it in the fridge where it can last for up to a week. There is no need to rush and eat it within two days, you can leave it in the refrigerator for a reasonable time.