Sunday, 1 April 2012

MEC March 2012 Roundup

 Microwave Easy Cooking March 2012 Edition is finally here. Firstly, many thanks to all those wonderful chefs who have been "MICROWAVING this MARCH" (I think I need a psych consult for my alliteration frenzy) to participate in this event. Your contributions have changed my perception of the indispensable microwave. A gadget, I thought, was basically meant only to re-heat food!

I love the idea of giving a healthy start to a beautiful day with Harini's Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. Packed with the goodness of oats, this looks like the perfect breakfast before a long day..


The thought of beginning my day with these Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, commonly known as the Gujarathi Muthiya, fills me with so much anticipation for what lies ahead. To be honest I can munch some of these with ketchup or coriander chutney any time of the day!


Another breakfast/ brunch option for busy days is Rajani's wholesome Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal. A great dish for those times when one is keen to try something unusual or finish that leftover pumpkin puree!
Srivalli's microwave Vegetarian Hakka Noodles seem to be me like the perfect lunch box recipe, or a casual sit-down meal. Never did i think Hakka Noodles could be so simple!


My comfort food is this Bulghur Wheat Pilaf which combines the goodness of whole grains and vegetables. The recipe is easily adaptable to couscous too!


I love Food Corner's brave recipe for Easy Microwaved Potato Chips. A healthy zero/ minimal oil recipe for those crunchable potato chips. Now I can munch on my favourite snack minus the guilt.



This drool-worthy Vegan chocolate Instant Mug Cake by Harini of Tamalapaku is perfect to sneak with on cold winter evenings.

Considering winters in Auckland are awfully long, I can try snuggling alternate days into my favourite armchair with my favourite book and this delightful Mocha Mug Cake  by Surabhi.


Srivalli's healthy Low fat chocolate Brownies are perfect for sharing some sweet bites with loved ones. I am thinking chocolate brownies.. I am thinking vanilla ice cream... I am thinking yummmmmmmmmmmm...


Maude of Spicy Cinnamon has sent 2 easy cakes for all cake lovers:



This 5-minute Chocolate Miracle Cake is a great way to satiate those omnipresent chocolate cravings.


her Chocolate chip Cookie Cake is a fascinating twist to the 5-minute cake, flavoured with vanilla and full of chocolate chips.
I am head over heels in love with Srivalli's Eggless Chocolate Cake recipe, a quick and easy way to make gorgeous surprise treats for those very special days.

I never thought it was possible to create traditional desserts in fifteen minutes until I came across Priya's recipe for Aval Payasam or poha kheer.


Or Rajani's microwave version of Corn Halwa; another unique recipe for another unique inspirational flavour.


I love the idea of preparing the all-time-favourite (it is certainly mine) Carrot Halwa is less than half an hour. This one is the sure path to my hubby's heart...





I have made an exception to my "only vegetarian" rule here, but I just could not refuse Jaguti's Macha Besara Fish recipe. The photograph is tempting me to make a vegetarian version of this. Tofu Besara anyone?