What to eat when all you have is a microwave?

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[SuziQ]

I’m an RN and minored in nutrition. You did a great job, Rebecca.

[charylliss]

Oh thank you thank you! As a senior citizen with Lupus, I don't cook the same as I used to. I find microwave cooking to be a big help ( minimize my fatigue)

[debranielsen]

I am a terrible cook (I just don’t enjoy it) and I work horrendous hours. I have gotten so many good ideas from you that I can actually handle - including financial ones. Keep it up! 👍🏻

[janiceh]

I personally don’t think you need to worry about length of introduction bc it tell us everything you took in to consideration in allowing the preparation. To me it’s very helpful

[aylasaurus]

Oh, pre-chopping the ham steak with the veggies for the microwave scrambles is GENIUS -- hubby LOVES those little just crack an egg cups, I'm doing this instead from now on!

[five_pennies]

I never thought of trying to make chicken broth from scratch in a microwave. You're so thoughtful in how you put these ideas together and how to wring every last bit of value out of the money you spend. Tip from someone who went to culinary school, you can reuse bones to make 2 batches of stock! The second won't be *as* flavorful but still perfectly good to use as a soup base, or to cook beans or other veggies in.

[mariapagan]

I LOVE SEASONED BLACK BEANS WITH MICROWAVED WHITE RICE LIKE I SAID I WORK AT DOLLAR TREE GET PAID DOLLAR TREE WAGES SO I HAVE TO SPEND meagerly NONETHELESS WITH THOSE SIDES I’LL TAKE SOME STEAKUMS THE FROZEN PEPPERS AND ONIONS SEASONED WITH THE LIME GARLIC SEASONING DOLLAR TREE HAS PUT THAT ON FLOUR TORTILLAS AND I’VE GOT BLACK BEANS AND RICE WITH FAJITAS SO YUMMY

[seabliss]

Your videos are so thoughtful. I'd like to suggest that you should save the ends of your onions, celery, peppers etc.. the stuff you normally throw away. Put them in a baggie and freeze them. Next time you are boiling off a carcass, add the frozen ends. Strain when finished and now your broth is flavored with no extra cost.

[samedifference]

Thank you much for the Denver omelet 'hack'- as someone who has recently become disabled and finds it harder than ever to cook, I bought pre chopped peppers and onions, a pack of thin sliced ham, a bag of spinach & a carton of egg whites- and managed to make myself a scramble with the little energy i have. Bless you for thinking of us microwave needing folks!!

[erikamendelson]

Our budget is $50/ week for 2 adults. We have a huge garden ( I can, freeze and dehydrate a lot) and chickens. I also frequent salvage grocers when in town. I also set aside $5/ week for bulk buying. I buy rice, beans or larger packs of ground beef and repackage every month or 6 weeks. It really helps stretch our budget.

[dianegordon]

Love the idea of using bagged salad in a wrap. Never thought of that. I am using that idea.

[michaelortega]

when i was in my first year of college with just a minifridge, a microwave, and one small knife, i learned a lot about microwave cooking!! some of my advice:
- knowing how long your microwave takes to boil water is a super good metric to have
- if you invest in a large (ideally ceramic) bowl, you can make a lot of boxed meals (i've made a whole box kraft mac in mine!)
- tofu is usually cheap, super versatile, has a ton of nutrients and a good amount of protein. usually folks are afraid to try it, but it can be really tasty-- pressing it well and adding it to scrambled eggs adds some bulk to a meal
- canned veggies are a good and easy way to add nutrients that don't take up a lot of room. if your store has a discount section, there are usually dented cans back there that are still perfectly good
- steaming things in the microwave is pretty easy! put a little water in with whatever you're steaming and put a plate over the top (i don't recommend this for two plastic dishes, they might seal shut!)
- hot sauce is a good investment if you have a spice tolerance, if you have an edible but bad tasting dish, just douse that bad boy in tapatio and it should be more pleasant to eat
- if you are able to, with a bag of flour, sugar, vegetable/canola oil, baking powder/baking soda, and (imitation) vanilla extract, you can make a lot of half-decent desserts. these also last a long time-- i'm still working through a bag of flour i got a year ago (i'm only in my second year of college lol)
- rewards programs! sign up for every store. it's a bit of a pain in the ass, but it can really swoop in and save you sometimes. my local grocery store is safeway, and according to the app, i've saved $181 since i got it last september!
- if you are very careful and have a steady hand, you can actually boil eggs in the microwave. wash a thumbtack with dish soap to sterilize, then carefully poke a hole on the top. get a mug, put some water in, and pre-boil it in the microwave (with no egg), 3 minutes usually does it. to the mug, add a lot of salt and a generous pinch of baking soda. use a spoon to place the egg in, , then microwave it again for 3-4 minutes. let it sit in the water until it's cooled (alternatively, if you want a soft boiled egg, take it out of the water with the spoon and place it in an ice bath, or just in your refrigerator)

[kirsty]

You make such a good point about things like grating cheese. I have hypermobile joints in my thumbs and shoulders - most days, I struggle with holding onto or gripping things. Something as simple as a bag of grated cheese makes a world of difference.

[judithrichardson]

A little tip for making microwave scrambled eggs, if you like them light and fluffy, is add a teaspoon of cold water per egg that you are cooking, and a small bit of butter or margarine, and cook for 20 seconds. Then whisk them, put back in for another 20 seconds, whisk again, and continue doing that till they look ALMOST fully cooked, the exact times will depend on your microwave wattage and the number and size of eggs you are cooking.. By taking the eggs out while they look slightly under cooked, but almost done, they continue cooking once removed, and by the time you have plated up and put the bowl in for washing up, the eggs will have finished setting up, and be soft and fluffy. The first couple of times you take them out to whisk, they will look as if nothing has happened, but by doing this any little bits that are starting to form get mixed in and the over all look and taste are well worth the extra work, which is actually not that much. I love mine served on hot buttered toast, delicious.
Much love and respect from the South East of England. xx

[mariaTsounakis]

Great ideas! I am disabled and have been having difficulty physically cooking so this gave me some new ideas that I could implement! Thank you for all that you do!!

[realong]

My daughter buys the ribs like those at ALDI and makes her own McRib sandwiches for her family all the time. It's a cheap aternative to getting fast food for her famuly of five.

[YamatoForever]

I lived in a basement apartment and had no access to a stove. I used a crock pot and a Foreman grill along with a microwave. Virginia here as well. Augusta County. I have to drive 20 minutes to get to a grocery store (Food Lion), Walmart is 30+ minute drive. So I feel your pain.

[sya]

I have to say, I’m blessed to be financially a little more comfortable. But I still learn so much here. I hate the waste and this teaches me how to cut back and be thoughtful

[Megan-bx]

Hey Rebecca. I specifically love your channel because you don't talk about the other stores and you only focus your channel on the dollar stores. It sets you apart from all the other creators. You're Never stop. Go with your gut

[erika]

I agree on making the potato chips in the microwave, not worth the hassle. I go with baking chickpeas with seasoning. Super easy and helps with the crunch I love.