Here is a variety of microwave recipes. I am thinking you could cook and assemble, or assemble and cook, :-) to the last stage. You husband could do the "final" cooking when he gets home. I hope these help.
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Chicken Tetrazini
INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb elbow macaroni or ditalini
3 T butter or margerine
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 T flour
2 C Chicken broth or stock, hot
1/2 C milk, half and half, or creeam
2 T dry vermouth or sherry (optional)
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
2 C turkey or chicken, cooked and shredded or diced
1 C parmesan cheese, grated
DIRECTIONS
1.On stove top, heat water to boiling. Cook macaroni till al dente.
2.Meanwhile, in a 2-quart casserole mix butter, garlic and onion. Microwave 1-3 minutes, until onion is tender.
3.Stir in flour until dissolved and smooth. Pour in hot broth, a little at a time, whisking or stirring to keep the sauce
smooth.,Pour in the milk or cream and vermouth or sherry. Microwave 8-10 minutes, until boiling but only slightly
thickened, stirring twice.
4.Stir in the mushrooms, lemon juice, salt, pepper, chicken or turkey and drained macaroni.
5.Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Cover with wax paper and microwave 5 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 5 minutes.
Sprinkle remaining cheeseon top. Microwave uncovered 4-6 minutes, until heated through.
Variation:With nuts. Substitute 2 pounds spaghetti or other pasta for the elbow macaroni. Add 1/2 cup pine nuts, slivered almonds
or crushed walnut pieces with the turkey or chicken.
Makes 4-6 servings
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Shepherd's Pie
INGREDIENTS
2 C cubed potatoes
3/4 C milk
1 lb lean ground beef or lamb
1 egg, lightly beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 C dry breadcrumbs
2 T onion finely cghoped
1/8 t black pepper
1/8 t nutmeg
1/2 C choped broccoli
1/2 C sliced carrots
1/2 C chopped cauliflower
1/4 C Chopped onions
2 T chopped scallions
2 T tomnato sauce
1/2 C shredded cheddar or colby sheese
DIRECTIONS
1.Place the potatoes in a 2-quart saucepan with cold water to cover. bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 10-12
minutes. Drain. Add 1/4 cup of the milk and mash well. Set aside.
2.In a large bowl mix the beef or lamg, egg, breadcrfubs, 2 tablespoons onions, pepper, nutmeg, and remaining 1/2 cup milk
until well blended. Press the mixture over the bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie plate. Cover loosely with wax paper.
3.Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Carefully drain off any accumulated fat.
4.In a deep 1-quart casserole, combine the broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, 1/4 chopped onions, scallions, and tomato sauce.
Cover with a lid. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
5.To assemble the pie, spread the mashed potatoes over the meat. Top with the vegetables and sprinkle with the cheese.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pie is hot throughout. Cut into wedges and serve.
Makes 6 servings.
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Canadian Cheddar Soup
INGREDIENTS
1 C carrots, diced
1/4 C celery, diced
1 C onion, diced
1/2 C parsnip, diced
2 T butter or margerine
1/4 C flour
4 C beef broth
3/4 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (3 cups)
2 C milk
DIRECTIONS
1.In a large, deep, microwave safe casserole dish, mix carrots, celery, onion, parsnips and butter. cover tightly and
microwave 8 minutes.
2.Stir in flour until completely mixed.
3.Pour in beef broth. Recover and microwave 5 minutes, stir and microwave another 5 minutes, until mixture boils.
4.Stir in cheese until smooth, then stir in milk. Microwave 2-3 minutes, until hot, being careful not to boil soup or overcook
cheese.
Makes 6 servings
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Today's Tamales
INGREDIENTS
2 C corn chips
1 15 oz. can tamales, removed and unwrapped
1 15 oz. can chili (with beans, without beans or all beans)
1 medium onion, chopped
6 slices processed cheese
DIRECTIONS
1.Put the corn chips in a plastic bag, close the bag and crush the chips with a wooden mallet or rolling pin. Set aside.
2.Slice the tamales crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Lay half the slices on the bottom of a 1 1/2 quart microwave safe casserole.
Spread half the chili over the tamales in the casserole. Sprinkle half the onions on top of the chili and half the corn chips on
top of the onions. Arrange three of the cheese slices on top of the corn chips.
3.Add another layer of tamales, another layer of chili another layer of onions, but save the corn chips and cheese for later.
4.Cover the casserole with a lid or plastic wrap and microwave 4 minutes. Use hot pads to turn the dish a half turn, then
microwave another four minutes. If the mixture is not hot all the way through, microwave another 2 minutes until completely
heated.
5.Carefully remove the cover and place the remaining cheese slices on top of the mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining
corn chips.
6.Microwave, uncovered, 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
SERVINGS
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Primavera Casserole
INGREDIENTS
8 oz. pasta ( spirals or rotini work well)
3-4 cups frozen vegetable medley, defrosted (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower or other combo)
1 1/2 c riccota (or small curd cottage cheese, drained)
salt, pepper, onion powder, other spices to taste
grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
1.Cook and drain the pasta. Add the veggies, cheese and seasonings.
2.Put into a 2 quart casserole dish, which has been sprayed with Pam (or equivalent).
3.Sprinkle liberally with Parmesan.
4.Cook in microwave for 15 minutes.
SERVINGS
Serves 4
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LAZY LASAGNA
INGREDIENTS
9 lasaagna noodles
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 C parmesan cheese, grated
2 C your favorite tomato sauce
1 3/4 C ricotta cheese
DIRECTIONS
1.Cook noodles in large pot boiling water until al dente (10-11 minutes). Drain and place in single layer on a tray. In a small
bowl, mix mozzarella and parmesan.
2.Spoon about 3 T tomato sauce in bottom of 7" X 11" baking dish. Top with three lasagna noodles in a single layer. Spread
with half the riccotta cheese, spoon on a third of the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with a third of the parmesan mixture.
3.Repeat with another layer of noodles, ricotta, sauce, parmesan. Cover with the remaining noodles spread with the remaining
sauce.
4.Place the casserole on an inverted saucer. Microwave on high 4 minutes. Rotate dish 1/2 turn. Microwave on high another
4-6 minutes, until laaagna is hot and bubbly.
5.Sprinkle with remaining parmesan mixture. Microwave on medium (50%) power 6-8 minutes. Let stand 3-4 minutes before
serving.
Serves 8.
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Microwave Chili
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1 C onion (1 medium), chopped
3/4 C green pepper, chopped
1 12 oz. can tomatoes
1 12 oz. can kidney beans
1 t salt
1 1/2 T chili powder
1/2 t oregano
1/4 t basil
1 garlic cloveic, crushed
DIRECTIONS
Combine meat, onion and green pepper. Cook, covered, 5 min at full power, stirring twice. Drain. Add remaining ingredients.
Cook, covered, 10 minutes, stirring twice. Let stand, covered, 5 min. Serve