Microwave recipes with minimal clean up

[NFRicaS]

Thanks for the precooking ideas. I actually do not like cooking all that much, even thought we do that a bit. What I am really looking for are recipes that I can prepare in the RV from scratch, with little is any clean up required. We tend to drive a lot and stay only 2 or 3 days in any one place. that leaves plenty of time to hit the Safeway so as to restock with Veg, meat, etc which requires less refer-box space. So far I use disposable cooking bowls and do a lot of oatmeal and yogurt for breakfasts, sandwiches for lunch, and whatever for dinner. I tend to use a lot of potato and steamed veg. But, meat is a problem in the microwave.

I have given up on slow cookers and instapots because of the cleanup required. I want to stick to outdoor grills and indoor microwave.

Any ideas out there for 2 or 4 ingredient dinners in the microwave with disposable everything?

What about using those slow cook liners in an Instapot? You can just use and toss? I heat hot water in my little electric kettle, and wipe/wash out things in a bowl..or just wipe out Instapot w/ hot water..I buy frozen individual fully-cooked Pot Roasts that are easy to Microwave..add potatoes and carrots to a steam-bag, pop that into a microwave...and bingo!!!

 

[LimboMan]

What about using those slow cook liners in an Instapot? You can just use and toss? I heat hot water in my little electric kettle, and wipe/wash out things in a bowl..or just wipe out Instapot w/ hot water..I buy frozen individual fully-cooked Pot Roasts that are easy to Microwave..add potatoes and carrots to a steam-bag, pop that into a microwave...and bingo!!!

I don't think using the bags in an Instant Pot would allow for a proper pressure cooking seal but others who may have tried can chime in...

 

[nnewman]

I have a small 3qt Instapot. I love that I can sauté and cook everything in the one pot. Meat, potatoes, vegetables. Pasta, soup, anything using fresh ingredients. If I don’t have hot water, I wipe or rinse out the pot the best I can and then fill it with water and heat the water in the pot, adding soap.

I use paper plates, plastic ware etc. but I’m more than willing to clean the one pot for a good home cooked meal. On long driving days, I microwave a frozen dinner or warm up something precooked from grocery. I also eat lots of premade salads in bags. And then there is always soup, crackers, cheese and fruit!

 

[richpress]

instant pot

Thanks nnewman,
Do you use the instant pot for mixing things up before you cook as well? I normally have to use a cutting board (paper plate) and a 1.5 or 2 qt mixing bowl (glass) which I have to clean. We have had great success with microwaving pork and chicken in cooking bags in a glass cooking dish. The only thing I need to wash is the cutting board, the utensils, and a small mixing bowl which i use to prepare things before they go into the bag and microwave. I like cooking in the bag as it steams the food and I end up with really moist chicken and pork. But, if I can get similar results with a small instant pot I may try it. I have given up on the crock pot as its too messy and takes too long to cook. It's great at home, but not so on the road.
I still want to have as little as possible to clean, and I do not care about throwing things away afterwards...

 

[NFRicaS]

Thanks nnewman,
Do you use the instant pot for mixing things up before you cook as well? I normally have to use a cutting board (paper plate) and a 1.5 or 2 qt mixing bowl (glass) which I have to clean. We have had great success with microwaving pork and chicken in cooking bags in a glass cooking dish. The only thing I need to wash is the cutting board, the utensils, and a small mixing bowl which i use to prepare things before they go into the bag and microwave. I like cooking in the bag as it steams the food and I end up with really moist chicken and pork. But, if I can get similar results with a small instant pot I may try it. I have given up on the crock pot as its too messy and takes too long to cook. It's great at home, but not so on the road.
I still want to have as little as possible to clean, and I do not care about throwing things away afterwards...

I also have the smaller InstaPot...SO much you can make, cook, steam, etc., all easy peasy. Can do some awesome breakfast items as well...have an anodized inner pot, plus a steamer basket that fits inside. Plus ,lots of great recipes online..you’ll love it!!

 

[Clar1996]

richpress, I also tried cooking bags for a microwave when I was extremely tired after my studies and browsing of countless paperhelp reviews websites. As well as you I wanted to have a minimum of things to clean. So I found thesebags pretty decent. Do you have any special that you prefer?

 

[Cvgirl]

I would also add that there are compostable cutlery sets available. Of course you have to be able to find them, but I'd hope everyone would think it's worth the effort not to just put more stuff non-decomposing stuff in a landfill. As time goes by more communities have industrial sized composting facilities that make it an easy process.

Agreed. Costco sells compostable cutlery at a very good price. We will not use plastic.