Marinated Eggplant (Brinjal / Aubergine) - microwave

1 eggplant

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

1/2 teaspoon crushed chillies

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Oil

Slice the eggplant, place in glass microwavable container with 2/3 cup boiling water – microwave on high with lid on for 12 minutes.  Drain.  Place into jar / container.

Mix the lemon juice, garlic, chilli, oregano, salt & pepper together, spoon over the eggplant in jar.  Close the jar, shake 1-2 times.  Cover eggplant with oil.

Seal the jar or container and allow to marinade for at least 6 hours but up to 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

Use on sandwich, with cheeses or in Moussaka! 

Photo:  Alma Pretorius 

Recipe: Easy marinated eggplant - Simply Delicious

Date and Apple Chutney Microwave

Makes 1 liter

  

3 medium onions, finely chopped

125 ml water

1 kg green apples, peeled, cored and diced (weigh AFTER you’ve peeled and cored the apples)

500 g dates, chopped

100 g almonds, chopped (or walnuts)

5 ml salt

10 ml allspice (mixed spice)

5 - 10 ml ground ginger

500 ml white wine vinegar

200 g brown sugar

 

Place onions and water in a large microwave dish. Microwave without a lid on HIGH for 3 minutes. Add apples and microwave on HIGH for 8 minutes. 

 

Add dates, almonds / walnuts, salt, ginger and 250 ml of the vinegar and microwave on HIGH for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. 

 

Add the sugar and remaining vinegar and cook for a further 8 minutes on HIGH, stirring every 2 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars and allow to cool, then seal. Makes 1 liter. 

Recipe adapted from food24 - Photo:  Alma Pretorius 

 

Spicy rice in microwave

4 Servings as side dish - on this photo we added cooked chicken pieces

SPICY RICE IN MICROWAVE -  Ready in 25 minutes – my microwave is a 800Watt

1 cup raw rice (Tastic / Spekko)

3 cups boiling water

2 and 1/2 teaspoons chicken stock powder

1 small onion diced

1/2 green bell pepper diced

1 teaspoon crushed chilli  (optional)

1 teaspoon garlic

1 teaspoon turmeric (necessary)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika / paprika (necessary)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

1 lemon, zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Extra oil for afterwards

In microwave dish add rice, water, stock powder, onion, bell pepper, chilli, garlic, turmeric, paprika, salt and pepper.   Stir. Microwave open on High for 20 minutes.  Stir, add the frozen vegetables, lemon juice and lemon zest, stir and microwave OPEN on High for another 5 minutes.  Stir, add some oil – taste, adjust seasoning and serve.

 
 

Pilchards (tin) Biriyani in Microwave

If you don't have the above Biriyani spices, it's okay - use your normal Biriyani spices.  This is a CHEAT version of making Biriyani - but I assure you - the taste is just awesome.  I normally prepare this a day in advance.  Will feed 2-4, depending on portion size.  Freezes brilliantly.

1 onion, sliced

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Biryani spices

Tin pilchards, drained, rinsed, chopped

1 cup raw rice

3 cups boiling water

1 tin lentils, drained

Salt to taste

Extra oil for afterwards

In microwaveable deep dish, place the onions, garlic, butter, 2 tbsp oil, cinnamon and Biryani spices.  Microwave open on High for 2 minutes.  Stir.  Add the rice, boiling water, lentils and salt.  Microwave open on High for 20 minutes.  Add the pilchards, stir and microwave open on High for 5 minutes.  Pour some oil on top and leave overnight to eat the next day.

Recipe and photo:  Alma Pretorius

 

'Melkkos' (Milk noodles) in microwave

 

1 x 68 g packet instant noodles, broken up – discard the seasoning sachet

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

¼ (?) cup sugar

In a microwaveable glass dish with a lid, add the raw noodles, milk and sugar – put lid on, microwave on HIGH for 15 minutes, till milk has evaporated and noodles are soft.  Remove from microwave, stir in the butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy.

Recipe and photo:  Alma Pretorius