MasterChef Winner Tim Anderson Reveals The Superiority of Microwaves Over Air Fryers
AIR FRYERS might be the latest foodie trend but former MasterChef winner Tim Anderson says the humble microwave will outlive it. The kitchen staple has been around for 50 years and recently sales have soared due to rising energy bills. Heroes of convenience, microwaves save time and money – and Tim’s new book, Microwave Meals: Delicious Recipes To Save Time, Effort And Energy, is packed with 60 recipes to help you raise your meal game.
From an easy garlic chicken dish that’s said to be one of former US president Bill Clinton’s faves to pasta classics and a three-minute emergency dessert, just pop the ingredients in the microwave and wait for the ping. Microwave Meals: Delicious Recipes To Save Time, Effort And Energy, by Tim Anderson (£16.99, Hardie Grant) is released next Thursday. Compiled by: Kirsty Spence. Photography: Sam Harris.
The Power of Microwaves
SPAGHETTI CARBONARA
(Serves 4)
Takes: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
– 75g lardons (pancetta or bacon)
– 1 tsp olive or vegetable oil
– 200g spaghetti
– 450ml water
– 2 eggs
– 50g pecorino cheese, finely grated, plus extra to serve
– Lots of black pepper
Method:
– Combine the lardons with the oil in a large bowl.
– Stir well to coat and cook for two minutes and 30 seconds.
– In a separate container, combine the spaghetti with the water and a spoonful of the fat from the rendered lardons.
– Meanwhile, when the lardons and their fat have cooled, tip the eggs, pecorino cheese, and pepper into the bowl and whisk well.
– Tip the cooked pasta into the egg mixture, and toss well using tongs.
– Serve immediately and enjoy!
EMERGENCY MIXING BOWL COOKIE CAKE
(Serves 1-3)
Takes: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp butter
– 2 tbsp milk
– 4 tbsp light brown sugar
– 6 tbsp plain flour
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 4 tbsp breakfast cereal, desiccated coconut, flaked almonds, chopped pistachios, or similar
– 1 ⁄ 16 tsp baking powder
– 1 ⁄ 16 tsp bicarbonate of soda
– Pinch salt
– 2 tbsp chocolate chips or chunks, milk or dark or a mix
– Ice cream, as needed
Method:
– Combine the butter and milk in a pasta bowl and cook for 30 seconds.
– Whisk in the sugar, then add all remaining ingredients except the chocolate and ice cream, and mix well.
– Fold in the chocolate chunks, then cook for one to 90 seconds.
– Enjoy straight from the bowl with ice cream on top.
PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS
(Serves 3-4)
Takes: 24 minutes
Ingredients:
– 200g penne
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1 tsp chilli flakes
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 250ml water
– 400g tin tomatoes
– 60g pitted green olives
– 2 peppers, de-seeded and roughly chopped
– 300-400g sausages, pricked all over with a fork
– Handful basil or flat-leaf parsley leaves, torn or chopped
– Salt, to taste
Method:
– Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to mix.
– Add the olives, peppers, and sausages on top.
– Cover and cook for 24 mins, stirring every eight minutes.
FISH PIE MIX COCONUT CURRY
(Serves 4)
Takes: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp vegetable oil
– 2½cm fresh ginger root, peeled and finely grated
– ½ onion, grated or finely chopped
– 4 cardamom pods, crushed
– 1 finger chilli, split down the middle
– 1 small tomato, grated
– ½ lemongrass stalk, halved lengthways and bashed
– Few fresh curry leaves or lime leaves
– 1 tsp mild curry powder
– 400g tin coconut milk
– 1 tbsp fish sauce
– 500g baby new potatoes, washed and halved
– Big handful coriander leaves, finely chopped
– 300-350g fish pie mix
– Salt, to taste
– 1 lime, quartered
‘BILL CLINTON’ CHICKEN ORZO
(Serves 4)
Takes: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
– 200g orzo
– 400ml water
– 40g butter
– 1 stock cube, crumbled
– ½ tsp each dried sage, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and pepper
– ¼ tsp salt
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
– 4 chicken thigh fillets
– Few sprigs parsley, chopped
HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH YOGURT MAYO
(Serves 2)
Takes: 6 minutes
For the sauce:
– ½ tbsp cayenne or similar hot chili powder
– 1 tsp cornflour
– ½ tsp smoked paprika
– ¼ tsp garlic granules
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tsp honey
For the chicken:
– 4 chicken skinless thigh fillets
– 1½ tbsp Greek yogurt
– 1½ tbsp mayonnaise
– 2 burger buns or 4 thick-cut slices white bread, lightly toasted
– 6 leaves iceberg lettuce
– 6-8 slices gherkin
– Big handful salt and vinegar crisps, crushed
Combine all sauce ingredients in a large bowl and cook, toss chicken in the spice mixture, cover and cook, then serve on buns with yogurt mayo, lettuce, gherkins, and crisps.