Microwave Recipes for Vegetables

Jacket Potatoes

This is simple side dish that can be made into a meal all by itself, depending on what you add to the mix. You'll need:
4 potatoes
4 knobs of butter
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped chives
salt and pepper to taste

Prick the potatoes with a fork and arrange on a piece of kitchen paper in the microwave oven. Cook on HIGH for 6 minutes. Turn the potatoes over and cook on HIGH for another 7-8 minutes. Wrap the potatoes in foil and allow to stand for 5 minutes.

Cut the top off each potato and carefully scoop out the filling. Mix the flesh with butter, sour cream and chives and pile back into the potato casing. Reheat on HIGH for 2-3 minutes.

You can add bulk to this meal by adding a cooked meat (bacon, ham or chicken) and other vegetables like corn or peas.

Ratatouille

This is a wonderful dish that can be served hot as a vegetable or cold as a starter. You will need:
1 eggplant, sliced
salt and pepper
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons oil
250g zucchini, sliced
1 green pepper, cored, seeded, sliced
1 x 400g can tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
chopped parsley to garnish

Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse under cold water and dry.
Place onion, garlic and oil in a large bowl. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 minutes.

Stir in eggplant, zucchini and peppers, cover and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato, basil, salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Be sure to stir the vegetables during this period at least twice.

Honey Glazed Carrots

Dress up a simple vegetable. You will need:
500g carrots, sliced into rounds
3 tablespoons of water
15g of butter
pinch of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon clear honey
2 tablespoons walnuts
pinch of ground cinnamon

Place the carrots and the water in a casserole dish, cover and cook on HIGH for 10-12 minutes (stir at least once) or until tender. Leave to stand for 2 minutes.

Stir in butter and cinnamon, drizzle over the honey and mix gently. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 seconds, garnish with the walnuts and cinnamon before serving.

Green Beans with Almonds

500g green beans
2 tablespoons of water
30g butter
1/4 cup flaked almonds
salt and pepper to taste

Place the beans and water in a microwave safe dish, cover and cook on HIGH for 8-10 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, cover and cook on HIGH for 1 minute until butter is melted. Leave stand, covered for 2 minutes before serving.