Mealtime Magic: Meals in a Mug

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes, even if you have kids around, you need to cook meals for just a few people. Or you might be looking for creative ways to spice up dinner, or help with portion control, or fast-cooking healthy options. Either way, 250 Meals in a Mug provides solutions. They're better for you than over-processed microwave meals but are almost as quick to prepare. The cookbook contains options for every meal of the day - and they are easy and tasty! I have the opportunity to share two with you below.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.

French Toast, page 85, Breakfast

I’m a firm believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, not just for the usual reasons, but also simply because the offerings − from bacon to cheesy eggs to cinnamon rolls − are so scrumptious. French toast proves my point. With the help of a mug and the microwave, it’s now an any-day option, even on the busiest mornings. Don’t forget the syrup!

16-oz (500 mL) mug

1 tbsp              granulated sugar (15 mL)

1⁄8 tsp             salt (0.5 mL)

1⁄8 tsp             ground cinnamon (0.5 mL)

1                     large egg

1⁄2 cup           milk (125 mL)

1⁄4 tsp             vanilla extract (optional) (1 mL)

11⁄4 cups      bread cubes (preferably stale) or small plain croutons (300 mL)                  

Suggested Accompaniments

Confectioners’ (icing) sugar; pure maple syrup; butter

In the mug, use a fork to whisk sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg, milk and vanilla (if using) until very well blended. Add bread cubes, stirring and pressing them down into the custard to absorb the liquid. Let stand for at least 15 minutes (so the bread absorbs the liquid). Press bread down with a fork to compact.

Microwave on High for 11⁄2 to 21⁄2 minutes (checking at 11⁄2) or until firm to the touch and liquid is absorbed. Serve with any of the suggested accompaniments, as desired.

Variations

Orange Marmalade French Toast: Replace the sugar with an equal amount of orange marmalade.

Buttermilk French Toast: Replace the milk with buttermilk, and replace the cinnamon with a pinch of ground nutmeg.

Banana French Toast: Reduce the milk to 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) and add 1⁄3 cup (75 mL) mashed very ripe banana. Replace the sugar with packed brown sugar.

Tip

Add up to 2 tbsp (30 mL) raisins or chopped dried fruit, or 1 tbsp (15 mL) miniature semisweet chocolate chips with the bread.

Prep Ahead Option

Whisk the sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg, milk and vanilla (if using) in the mug, then add the bread cubes; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Barbequed Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps, page 208, Meat Mains

Ready-to-use Chinese hoisin sauce delivers a deep, round intensity to plain chicken, turning it into something sumptuous. Earthy mushrooms and a scattering of green onions ensure that each forkful is a hit.

16-oz (500 mL) mug

1⁄2 cup           frozen sliced bell pepper and onion stir-fry blend (125 mL)     

1                        can (5 oz/142 g) water-packed chunk chicken, drained and flaked                          

1⁄4 cup           drained canned or jarred mushroom pieces (60 mL)                                                      

2 tbsp              hoisin sauce (30 mL)

2     large iceberg, romaine or butter lettuce leaves                                                    

1 tbsp              sliced green onions (15 mL)

Suggested Accompaniments

Toasted or roasted chopped almonds, peanuts or cashews; crunchy chow mein noodles

In the mug, microwave stir-fry blend on High for 11⁄2 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Drain off excess liquid. Stir in chicken, mushrooms and hoisin sauce until blended. Microwave on High for 45 to 60 seconds or until warmed through. Spoon half the chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with green onions and any of the suggested accompaniments, as desired.

Tips

If a frozen pepper and onion stir-fry blend isn’t available, use 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) mixed sliced fresh bell peppers and onions and, in step 1, cook for about 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp.

Hoisin sauce is a thick Chinese sauce akin to American barbecue sauce. Look for it where soy sauce is shelved in the grocery store.

Prep Ahead Option

Measure the stir-fry blend into the mug; cover and refrigerate (decrease the cooking time in step 1 by 30 seconds). Measure the chicken, mushrooms and hoisin sauce into a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate. Place the lettuce leaves and green onions in a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.