
You don't need a fancy kitchen or a lot of time to cook delicious Indian food. In fact, many popular Indian dishes can be made in just a few minutes in the microwave.
One of the biggest advantages of cooking Indian food in the microwave is that it helps preserve the nutrients in the ingredients. As we discussed earlier, cooking methods like steaming and grilling help retain the vitamins and minerals in food, and the microwave is no exception.
For beginners, a good place to start is with simple recipes like microwave idlis, which can be made in just 2-3 minutes. This South Indian breakfast dish is a staple in many households, and is made with a mixture of rice and lentil batter.
Whether you're a busy professional or a student on-the-go, microwave Indian cooking is a great option for anyone looking for a quick and easy meal solution.
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Microwave Indian Recipes
You can make delicious Indian dishes in just a few minutes using your microwave.
For instance, a simple microwave basmati rice recipe can be cooked in 3-4 minutes with a 1:1.5 water ratio.
Microwave cooking also helps retain the nutrients in Indian spices, which are known for their health benefits.
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Rava Pongal
Rava Pongal is a traditional South Indian dish that's both delicious and healthy. It's made with rava and moong dal, which are mixed with spices like cumin seeds and pepper for added flavor.
To make Rava Pongal, you'll need 1 cup of fine roasted rava, 1/3 cup of green gram dal, and 4 cups of water. You'll also need cashew nuts, cumin seeds, pepper, ghee, ginger, salt, and curry leaves.
The dish is cooked in the microwave, with the green gram dal being cooked first in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Then, the roasted rava is added along with the remaining water and cooked for another 3-4 minutes.
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients and their measurements:
Once the Pongal is cooked, you can serve it hot with chutney or sambar to heighten the taste and flavor.
Paneer Matar
Paneer Matar is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a quick meal. It requires a 6″-7″ round dish or a 2″ high microwave-safe container with a cover.
To make Paneer Matar, you'll need 100g of grated paneer. I've found that using a good quality paneer makes all the difference in the flavor and texture of the dish.
Shelled peas are a key ingredient in Paneer Matar, and you'll need about 1 cup of them. Fresh peas work best, but frozen ones will also do in a pinch.
The recipe calls for 2 tbsp. of oil, which you can use to sauté the onions and ginger. I like to use a neutral-tasting oil like canola or vegetable oil.
Onions and ginger are sautéed together with green chillies to add flavor to the dish. You can adjust the amount of green chillies to suit your desired level of spiciness.
Tomato puree is a key ingredient in Paneer Matar, and you'll need 6 tbsp. of it. You can use store-bought tomato puree or make your own by blending cooked tomatoes.
The spice blend for Paneer Matar includes red chilli powder, cumin powder, and garam masala powder. You can adjust the amount of each spice to suit your taste.
Cashewnuts are an optional ingredient in Paneer Matar, and you can add them if you want a creamy and nutty flavor.
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Microwave Main Course
Cooking a main course in the microwave is a great way to prepare a quick and delicious meal. You can use the microwave to cook a variety of dishes, including rice, lentils, and vegetables.
Microwave cooking can be faster than traditional cooking methods, with some dishes cooking up to 50% faster. This is because microwaves use non-ionizing radiation to heat food quickly and evenly.
A good rule of thumb is to cook food for 30-50% of the time it would take to cook it on the stovetop or in the oven. For example, if a recipe calls for 10 minutes of stovetop cooking, you can try microwaving it for 3-5 minutes.
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Sevai Upma
Sevai Upma is a popular South Indian dish that's perfect for breakfast. It's a simple solution to morning meal problems and is also a healthy option.
You can cook Sevai Upma in a single bowl in the microwave, which makes it a convenient choice. The ingredients are easily available, and the dish can be prepared in no time.
One of the best things about Sevai Upma is that it's fat-free, low in cholesterol, and has very low sodium. Vermicelli, the main ingredient, is a nutritious choice.
Here's a list of ingredients required to make Sevai Upma:
To cook Sevai Upma, start by putting the vermicelli in a microwave-safe bowl. Add oil and mix it well. Microwave it for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until it's red. Then, add some water and let it cook for a while. Finally, microwave it for another 3 minutes.
Arbi
Arbi is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. For a quick and flavorful dish, try Microwave Zayekedar Arbi, which uses arbi, ginger, garlic, green chillies, and lemon juice as its main ingredients.
To make Microwave Zayekedar Arbi, you'll need half a kilogram of arbi, peeled and halved lengthways. The recipe also calls for a 1-inch piece of ginger, grated finely, and 4-5 cloves of garlic, ground into a paste.
The amount of green chillies used can vary to suit your desired level of spiciness, but the recipe suggests using 1-2 finely chopped chillies. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a burst of citrus flavor to the dish.
To make the masala mixture, you'll need 5 tablespoons of thick curd, 1 teaspoon of besan (gram flour), and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh coriander.
Microwave Cooking Tips
Microwave cooking can be a game-changer for Indian cooking, especially when you're short on time or want to cook for one.
To cook basmati rice in the microwave, use a 1:1.5 water to rice ratio and cook on high for 3-4 minutes, then let it stand for 5 minutes. This ensures fluffy and separate grains.
The microwave can help retain the nutrients in your food, especially when cooking vegetables like broccoli, which can be cooked in just 30-45 seconds to preserve its vitamin C content.
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For cooking lentils, use a 2:1 water to lentil ratio and cook on high for 5-7 minutes, then reduce heat to 30% and cook for another 10-15 minutes. This helps to break down the lentils' tough fibers.
You can also use the microwave to make a quick and delicious Indian-style omelette by beating eggs with a fork, adding a pinch of salt and pepper, and cooking on high for 30-45 seconds. Flip and cook for another 30 seconds, and you're done!
To cook chicken breast in the microwave, cook on high for 3-4 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures food safety and juicy chicken.
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