The Ultimate Microwave 'Baked' Apple

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Admin

Okay, so "baked" is a strong word, but I promise this is the coziest, quickest dessert for one person. It's perfect for when you want something sweet but don't want to bake a whole pie. And it makes your kitchen smell amazing!

I discovered this in my college dorm and it's stuck with me. All you need is an apple, a microwave, and some yummy toppings.

What You Need:

  • 1 apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works great!)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp butter (or margarine)
  • Optional: A small handful of raisins or chopped nuts

What You Do:

  1. Core the apple. (Don't go all the way through the bottom!) You want to make a little bowl inside.
  2. In a small cup, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. If you're using them, add the raisins/nuts.
  3. Stuff that yummy mixture right into the apple's core.
  4. Place the apple in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tiny splash of water (like 1 tbsp) to the bottom of the bowl.
  5. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. It depends on your microwave and apple size. It's done when it's super tender.

Be careful, it's HOT! I love to eat this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that gets all melty. Enjoy!

My Secret (Super Easy) Spaghetti Sauce

Posted on October 24, 2009 by Admin

Everyone thinks I spend hours on my spaghetti sauce. Nope! I have a secret weapon, and it's probably already in your pantry. This is my go-to for busy weeknights when I want something better than just a jar of plain sauce.

It's all about "doctoring" a pre-made sauce to make it taste like it's been simmering all day long.

This is the best "cheat" ever. Don't tell my Italian grandmother! (Just kidding, I'm not Italian... which is probably why I do this.)

Here's the magic recipe. You'll need:

  • 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite store-bought marinara sauce
  • 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey (optional, but good!)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • The Secret: 1/4 cup of red wine! (Even cheap wine works. It adds so much depth!)
  • The *Other* Secret: A pinch of sugar (shhh!). It cuts the acidity.

If you're using meat, brown it with the onion and pepper first. Drain the fat. Then, just dump everything else into the pot (sauce, herbs, wine, sugar). Let it simmer for at least 20 minutes (the longer, the better!).

That's it! It tastes a million times better than sauce straight from the jar. Let me know if you try it!

Perfect 'No-Fail' Chocolate Mug Cake

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Admin

Have you seen this?? It's like magic! A single-serving chocolate cake, in a mug, in about 5 minutes. What is this wonderful world we live in?!

This is for those emergency chocolate cravings. You mix it all right in the mug you're going to eat it from. Less dishes = more happiness.

Ingredients (all in one mug):

  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter)
  • A splash of vanilla extract
  • A handful of chocolate chips (optional, but... is it really?)

Directions:

  1. Get a big, microwave-safe mug (it will rise a lot!).
  2. Add all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa) and mix well with a fork.
  3. Add the egg and mix it in. It might look lumpy, that's okay.
  4. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until everything is just combined. Don't overmix!
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips if you're using them.
  6. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. It's done when the top looks cooked and springs back a little when you touch it.

It's like a personal lava cake. So good. So dangerous. You've been warned! ;)