I think its a sad day when we have microwave dinner in place of a wonderful and healthy meal that could be done in under a hour or so don't you?

Chicken Curry
Onions, small dice 8 oz
Garlic, crushed 2 tsp
Ghee or clarified butter 2 tbsp
Wet masala:
Fresh ginger, fine dice 2 oz
Turmeric 1 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds, ground 1 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds, ground 1 tsp l
Cayenne pepper 1 tsp
Fenugreek, ground 1/2 tsp
Coconut milk 20 fl oz

Roasting chicken, 3 lb. (1.3 kg), cut into 8 pieces
Salt 1 tsp 5
Green chiles, slit lengthwise 3
Lemon juice 1 fl oz

Methods
1. Stir-fry the onions and garlic in the ghee until the onions are golden brown.
2. To make the wet masala, mix the ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper and fenugreek; add just enough of the coconut milk to form a paste.
3. Add the wet masala to the onions and stir-fry for 8 minutes.
4. Add the chicken pieces and cook, turning them frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes.
5. Add the remaining coconut milk, salt and chiles. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook until the chicken is done, approximately 45 minutes.
6. Just before service, stir in the lemon juice and adjust the seasonings. Serve with Saffron Rice (See recipe) and a chutney.

I agree. I will have to try that recipe one day. My favorite is Linguica y Arroz. A Portuguese sausage and rice dish.

We rarely use our microwave, it's usually just to occasionally
reheat something.

I have a 1,200 watt microwave that's used only to heat water for instant coffee or to re-heat leftovers ... I like to prep and cook my own food the 'old' way - on a stove ... If I liked curry, I'd try this - but since my SIL likes it, I'll forward it to him ...

I got rid of my microwave 2 yrs ago!!!

Ya can live without it!! Quite easily!!!

i'm relly glad to hear this in my line of work I come across alot of people that don't know simple things like how to make muffins or use veggies i'm very glad to hear that some people know these thing and would rather cook then eat out of cardboard

thanks for the reasurance

The only thing I use my microwave for is reheating and making popcorn. lol

I love to cook. So I prefer to make stuff the old fashioned way.

It's kinda tough to " experiment " with microwave stuff...lol

Hummmm same here microwave is for heating things back up fast not cooking. Use to eat out a lot but.... now I prefer to cook it is not that hard to learn to cook for one. And it taste so much better then fast food...

Will have to start trying some of the recipes in here so many sound sooo good...

The heat around here keeps me from doing much stove cooking, but I prefer it over microwave stuff when I can make it!

I used to do a lot of cooking & love to cook! But, since I'm alone I have too much waste & don't cook very often anymore!! I generally just use the microwave to reheat something. Food taste too rubbery cooked in the microwave!!

Agreed! Rarely use the microwave. I'm in love with my toaster oven these days. I just think it's a huge waste of energy to heat up an entire oven to cook a single salmon fillet or chicken breast. I love a good curry recipe and will have to try that Chefschool.

Hey I have a good quick easy recipe for one try it out and let me know what you think. OK?

Cheddar and Leek Soup Makes 1 QT of Soup
Whole butter 1/2 oz
Mirepoix, chopped fine 1/4 lb (4 oz so 2 oz onion 1 oz each carrot and celery) one carrot one stick of celery and quarter to half onion
Leeks, chopped fine 1/4 lb
Flour 1 oz
Chicken stock 3/4 qt
Sachet:
Bay leaf 1/2
Dried thyme 1/8 tsp
Peppercorns, crushed 1/8 tsp

Dry white wine or flat beer 1/4 cup (Opt. if you don't drink)
Half-and-half 1/4 cup
Cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 lb (not craft singles) need a good cheese
Salt t.t. (t.t.=To Tast)
Cayenne pepper t.t.
Fresh parsley, chopped,for garnish as needed
Croutons,for garnish as needed

Methods
1. Sweat the mirepoix and leeks in the butter until tender.
2. Stir in the flour and cook to make a blond roux.
3. Add the stock and the wine or beer plus the half/half. Simmer for 1 hour, about. Add the cheese after taking the soup off the fire. Stir cheese until melted. Just reheat until very warm. DO NOT BOIL or the cheese will separate.
4. Strain; adjust seasonings with salt and cayenne pepper. Thin with additional warm half-and-half, if necessary.
5. Serve in warm bowls, garnished with parsley and croutons.

I'm going to both disagree and agree here. "MOST" food, especially meat, are superior when cooked by other methods than microwaves. I mostly use mine for reheating but I generally make large portions of whatever I make so I reheat lots of leftovers.

However, proper use of a microwave can save a lot of time in standard cooking and many dishes such as fish and vegetables can be done well in a microwave. Many sauces actually work better. There is no better way to make a quick garlic butter sauce than to nuke it.

Barbara Kafka's book "The Microwave Gourmet" is a work of genius. Sure, many of the dishes in the book I would just as well do on the stove or in the oven, but many are unique, delicious, and quick.