Microwavable meals to bring to work, give me all your ideas!

[Antje77]

I have a new job as a 'brugwachter' (Dutch for the person opening a bridge when ships want to pass).

Long days, 9 am to 4 pm, two hours break and then another one or two hours until 7 or 8 pm.
It makes sense to eat on the job, there's little evening left after coming home and I want to spend it with a beer on the couch or in the garden, not in the kitchen.

Equipment available on the bridge: Fridge with small freezer compartiment, microwave, kettle.

This week was my first week (3 consecutive days), and I brought a pre-cooked stew and cauliflower purée, which worked well.
Coming week I'll work on monday, tuesday, saturday and sunday, and I've cooked an onion soup to be eaten with lots of grated cheese, I'm sure this will work just as well for the next two days.
Soups and stews are easy to microwave, but I'd like ideas on other things I can pre-cook and bring with me. With half of my days spent at work (3 days one week, 4 days the other) I'll need to revise my cooking habits, usually I rely on my frying pan a lot.

Lowish carb but not religiously so, and happy with all ideas!

(Picture of my first day of hard work on the bridge.)

 

[Outlier]

Pretty nearly any simple protein except dairy can be improved with a bit of Hellman's. Any cold meat, fish/shellfish, eggs..... any good to you? Cook too much, divide into portions, freeze, needs only once a week of kitchen slavery, or you could buy cold meats ready cooked.

 

[Antje77]

Pretty nearly any simple protein except dairy can be improved with a bit of Hellman's. Any cold meat, fish/shellfish, eggs..... any good to you? Cook too much, divide into portions, freeze, needs only once a week of kitchen slavery, or you could buy cold meats ready cooked.

Cold proteins would work as well, but I do like a warm meal once a day.
My issue lies in the proteins, all good and well to reheat a stew, soup, or something tomato and minced meat based (think bolognese) in the microwave, but anything like pork belly strips, crunchy fried bacon, pan fried fish, meatballs etc are out if you have to rely on a microwave. And so are fried eggs, warm boiled eggs, halloumi and the likes, those things need to be cooked on the spot, not microwaved.

A plate of veggies and a protein seems difficult to me, so I'm really looking into tasty hot meals without eating soups and stews all the time.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Cold proteins would work as well, but I do like a warm meal once a day.
My issue lies in the proteins, all good and well to reheat a stew, soup, or something tomato and minced meat based (think bolognese) in the microwave, but anything like pork belly strips, crunchy fried bacon, pan fried fish, meatballs etc are out if you have to rely on a microwave. And so are fried eggs, warm boiled eggs, halloumi and the likes, those things need to be cooked on the spot, not microwaved.

A plate of veggies and a protein seems difficult to me, so I'm really looking into tasty hot meals without eating soups and stews all the time.

https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/mikamax...Q.mFtzHTpl9No8A9teYghFBQ_0_16.18.ProductTitle

Guess what.

And also,

Lekker makkelijk: zo bereid je vier soorten eieren in de magnetron

Nu is een ei bakken niet al te moeilijk, zo maak je het nóg makkelijker. Als je haast hebt, kun je gewoon je eieren in de magnetron bereiden

www.margriet.nl

Just don't put an egg in the microwave naked, as they do tend to explode. (Do not ask me how I found out.)

 

[Zhnyaka]

Unfortunately, fish and cabbage cannot be heated in the microwave at work, because these products have a strong enough smell to make your colleagues hate you. But it can be eaten cold without consequences. You can cook / fry chicken or any other meat, make cutlets, salad of vegetables. You can also take boiled eggs, make muffins from eggs and cheese (without flour, almost like an omelet, just pour it into a muffin pan and bake in the oven). You can cook vegetable patties, stuff peppers or tomatoes, etc. I like baked pumpkin, eggplant rolls with cheese, vegetable stew.

 

[Antje77]

https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/mikamax...Q.mFtzHTpl9No8A9teYghFBQ_0_16.18.ProductTitle

Guess what.

Oh, I love that!
But I expect it won't work with our eggs. The turkey eggs will be too large, the chicken eggs too small, and the duck eggs to oddly shaped for that gadget.

The Margriet link looks very useful though!

 

[Antje77]

Unfortunately, fish and cabbage cannot be heated in the microwave at work, because these products have a strong enough smell to make your colleagues hate you.

No problem, there's no-one but me on the bridge!

You can cook / fry chicken or any other meat

I can prepare those at home, but microwaving to reheat doesn't really improve the texture as far as I know so it would have to be eaten cold.

You can also take boiled eggs, make muffins from eggs and cheese (without flour, almost like an omelet, just pour it into a muffin pan and bake in the oven).

I love those with tuna added, very good to eat both hot and cold! But not reheated in a microwave...

 

[Zhnyaka]

I can prepare those at home, but microwaving to reheat doesn't really improve the texture as far as I know so it would have to be eaten cold.

I didn't know that... I usually like to reheat grilled or boiled meat.

 

[Zhnyaka]

Oh, if there are no problems with cabbage, then you can cook it like this:

▎Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 500 g ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken)
• 1 large onion
• 1 carrot (optional)
• 1-2 eggs (for binding the filling)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Spices to your liking (e.g., paprika, garlic)

For the Sauce:
• 1 can of tomato sauce or 2-3 fresh tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and sugar to taste
For Wrapping:

• Fresh cabbage leaves

▎Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cabbage:
• If using fresh cabbage, boil it in salted water until the leaves are tender. If using pickled cabbage, simply rinse it.

2. Prepare the Filling:

• Finely chop the onion and carrot, and sauté them in vegetable oil until golden brown.
• In a bowl, mix the ground meat with the sautéed onion and carrot. Add eggs, season with salt, pepper, and any spices you prefer.

3. Form the Cabbage Rolls:
• Place a tablespoon of filling on each cabbage leaf and roll it up, tucking in the sides to secure the filling.

4. Prepare the Sauce:
• In a pan, heat vegetable oil, add the tomato sauce, season with salt, and add a little sugar to balance the acidity. Bring to a boil.

5. Cook the Cabbage Rolls:
• Place a few cabbage leaves on the bottom of a pot.
• Arrange the cabbage rolls in the pot, pour the sauce over them, and add some water (enough to cover the rolls).
• Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Serve hot with sauce. You can garnish with herbs or sour cream if desired.

 

[lovinglife]

Congratulations on the new job @Antje77
I batch cook a lot and freeze & microwave all the time
Low carb lasagne, moussaka, curries with cauli rice, roasted celeriac if you get fed up of the Cauli. I love doing a “warm salad” aubergine, mushrooms, bit of onion red pepper all cut chunky, roast in the oven or even pan fry, delish warmed in the microwave and tossed in a dressing as a side for a cold protein. I chop hard boiled eggs and heat them in the microwave then add mayo, works great. Cooked bacon will microwave quite well if you keep an eye on it. As will sausage.

If you want to microwave a meat protein cut it up into bite size pieces first then zap it in 30 second bursts until it’s just hot enough. This will stop it drying out and toughening because your heating small pieces

Any veg will re heat in the microwave, I always cook enough veg for 2 or 3 days.

Big tip though always take your veggies including cauliflower rice p, mashed cauliflower etc separate & heat separately because the can throw out some water after sitting or especially freezing so you may need to drain them before heating, if it’s in with your main bit of meal it could make that bit soggy

 

[Antje77]

Oh, if there are no problems with cabbage, then you can cook it like this:

Sounds very good, will try this when I have time!

Low carb lasagne, moussaka,

Oh, moussaka, I think that will be next week's meal! I just leave the potatoes out and I can deal with a little flour in the sauce, haven't hd that in years!

Cooked bacon will microwave quite well if you keep an eye on it. As will sausage.

If you want to microwave a meat protein cut it up into bite size pieces first then zap it in 30 second bursts until it’s just hot enough. This will stop it drying out and toughening because your heating small pieces

Ohoho, things to try, thank you!

 

[MrsA2]

Just cook more of whatever your having at home, then take a portion to reheat at work for the next day, and another for the day after that.
I know you don't mind repeating meals at home so why not at work to?
Or like you do at home add a single different ingredient to ring the changes.
Most things reheat well in a microwave

 

[Antje77]

Just cook more of whatever your having at home, then take a portion to reheat at work for the next day, and another for the day after that.
I know you don't mind repeating meals at home so why not at work to?
Or like you do at home add a single different ingredient to ring the changes.
Most things reheat well in a microwave

At home I often use my microwave to reheat the bulk of my meal (veggies) but use the oven or frying pan for meats/eggs to be freshly cooked every day, I have very little experience with reheating proteins in a microwave, except if they are in soups and stews.
I'm perfectly fine eating the same meal for 3 or even 4 days, although I often change/add some things over the days to keep it interesting.

 

[Marikev]

Congratulations on your new job.
have you discovered the delights of lentils? Was served a dinner of them this week, with some good old English sausages in, but they did wonders for my blood sugar. They maybe need some work with the herbs and spices. I remember they were served when I was in hospital and the nurse telling me they were wonderful for all diets and health conditions…
inseem to have several different kinds in my food cupboard , but I’ve never taken to them.
but if you cooked a batch of base stew with lentils, onions, root veg and then added some chopped meat / sausage of your choice just before reheating in the microwave…

 

[Antje77]

Congratulations on your new job.
have you discovered the delights of lentils? Was served a dinner of them this week, with some good old English sausages in, but they did wonders for my blood sugar. They maybe need some work with the herbs and spices. I remember they were served when I was in hospital and the nurse telling me they were wonderful for all diets and health conditions…
inseem to have several different kinds in my food cupboard , but I’ve never taken to them.
but if you cooked a batch of base stew with lentils, onions, root veg and then added some chopped meat / sausage of your choice just before reheating in the microwave…

Lentils taste good, but I prefer lower carb veggies for my meals, especially when at work and wanting to avoid dosing mistakes (possibly leading to hypos) at all cost.

I make several very tasty stews without carby stuff like lentils, and they're easily microwavable.
Which is why I'm searching for things not being soups and stews at the moment, I don't fancy living on soups and stews half the time for the rest of the year.

 

[MrsA2]

Is there space in your bridge for a small airfryer? Perfect for meats freshly cooked.

 

[lovinglife]

Have a look on Diet Doctor @Antje77 most if not all their main meal recipes can be reheated in the microwave. I did their meal plans for a good few months a few years ago and you make 2 portions at a time one for dinner and the second for lunch the next day

 

[Antje77]

Have a look on Diet Doctor @Antje77 most if not all their main meal recipes can be reheated in the microwave. I did their meal plans for a good few months a few years ago and you make 2 portions at a time one for dinner and the second for lunch the next day

I'll have a good look on their website, thanks for the reminder!
I've never felt the need so far but this sounds very useful.

 

[grantg]

Coconut lentil and chickpea dhall curry
3 Garlic cloves
1 tin Chickpeas
125g Red splitt lenild
1 small diced onion
1 teaspoon dried ginger.
Quarter teaspoon Cheyenne pepper
Quarter teaspoon chilli powder
Eighth teaspoon cumin
Eighth teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fenugreek/mathi
3 small curry leaves
Quarter teaspoon tumeric
Pinch ground mustard seeds
Cardamom half pod ground
Pinch fennel seeds
Quarter teaspoon coriander
150ml coconut milk
1 veg stock cube
50g spinach
100g greek natural yoghurt

 

[grantg]

Forgot cooking part little ghee caramelise onions add seeds add other spices shallow fry 2 to3mins longer . Add lentils cover with water bring to boil simmer 30 mins add drained chickpeas coconut milk and greek yoghurt cook down until desired consistency add spinach loosely sliced/cut 3 to 4 mins prior to serving