by Laura Tomah
Yeardisc editor
School is back in session, which sends you back to the dorm room if you were lucky and got away for the summer. Help make your Thunderbucks last and try cooking something delicious in the comfort of your own room.
If you’re like me and enjoy trying new foods, the main course this month is sure to make your mouth water.
Chicken curry is a spicy delight sure to impress your new roommate and start him or her off on the right foot.
MICROWAVE CHICKEN CURRY
Servings: 4
2 tablespoons Indian curry paste
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
1/2 bunch basil leaves, chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Steamed rice, to serve
Paprika, for garnish
1 scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish
In a large microwave safe pot with a lid, mix together the curry paste and oil. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add the chicken to the pot and stir. Cover with the lid and microwave on medium for 8 minutes.
Add the basil, cilantro, coconut milk and soy sauce and season with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir, cover it and microwave on medium for 4 minutes. Stir it again, cover and let it rest for 3 or 4 minutes. Serve over steamed rice, garnished with paprika and scallions.
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 647 calories; 60 g total fat (45 g saturated fat; 2 g polyunsaturated fat; 10 g monounsaturated fat); 41 mg cholesterol; 674 mg sodium; 956 mg potassium; 13 g total carbohydrate; 4 g dietary fiber; 1 g sugars; 23 g protein.
(Recipe courtesy of George Duran, www.foodnetwork.com)
As the previous recipe stated, you serve this dish over a bed of rice. I am not fond of the way minute rice tastes, which led me to look for and successfully find how to make regular rice in the microwave.
PERFECT MICROWAVE RICE
Servings: 8
2 cups long grain rice
3 1/2 cups water or stock
1 1/2 teaspoons butter or oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Place all ingredients in a large glass measuring cup or any microwave safe bowl. Note: The rice expands during cooking, so be sure to choose a container that is large enough. Microwave on high, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Microwave on medium-low, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice at any time during the cooking process. Season the rice with salt and fluff with a fork just before serving.
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 357 calories; 35 g total fat (22 g saturated fat; 1 g polyunsaturated fat; 10 g monounsaturated fat); 93 mg cholesterol; 27 mg sodium; 25 mg potassium; 11 g total carbohydrate; 0 g dietary fiber; 0 g sugars; 1 g protein.
(Recipe courtesy Kathleen Daelemans, www.foodnetwork.com)
What is any delicious entrée without a yummy dessert? To cool your mouth down from the spicy chicken curry, make these delightful brownies. Brownies are a dessert classic sure to help you make new friends in your building.
MICROWAVE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
Servings: 20
1/2 cup butter
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
Powdered sugar
In 2 cup glass, measure and place butter and chocolate and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until butter is melted. Chocolate will not appear melted until stirred.
Beat eggs in large mixing bowl until light and foamy. Stir in chocolate/butter mixture, sugar, flour, baking powder and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into 9 inch square microwave baking dish. Cook on high for 6 minutes. Brownies will still be moist but will firm as cooled. Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar. Cool before cutting into squares.
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 148 calories; 11 g total fat (5 g saturated fat; 3 g polyunsaturated fat; 2.5 g monounsaturated fat); 31 mg cholesterol 30.9; 33 mg sodium; 62 mg potassium; 13 g total carbohydrate; 1 g dietary fiber; 9 g sugars; 2 g protein.
(Recipe from www.cooks.com)
Back to school is an exciting time with meeting new people and attending all new classes. For some this may be your first semester at Southeastern, and if so, welcome to the family. Make new friends using a little assistance from these recipes and ration those Thunderbucks. Trust me, finals week you will be glad you saved them.
Note: I altered some of the recipes in order to improve their performance in the microwave.