Meals in a mug: Pizza, shepherd's pie and chocolate orange pudding
Our microwave mug man is back and today - he’s creating three of our favourite dishes in minutes. How do pizza, shepherd’s pie, and a chocolate orange pudding sound? Theo Michaels demonstrates all three - with the aid of his handy microwave.
Recipes taken from Microwave Mug Meals by Theo Michaels
Puffin in a mug
Serves: 1
Cooking time: 1 ½ minutes (800w microwave) plus 1 minute standing / 300ml / ½ pint mug
Ingredients
1 small egg15 ml/1 tbsp olive oil30ml/2 tbsp milkpinch ground black pepper60ml/ 4tbsp plain/all-purpose flour5 ml/1 tsp baking powder10g/ ¼ oz grated parmesan cheese10g/ ¼ oz baby plum tomatoes, quartered1 anchovy fillet, sliced2.5ml/ ½ tsp dried oregano10g/ ¼ oz grated cheddar cheese
Method
Place the egg, olive oil and milk into the mug and whisk together
Then add all the other ingredients except the cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top and microwave uncovered on full power for 1 ½ minutes.
Leave to stand for 1 minute before eating.
Chef's tips
If you don’t have parmesan cheese you can substitute with additional cheddar to mix through the muffin which will make it slightly more moist. Try garnishing the top with of the muffin before cooking with a sprinkle of anchovies or a few slices of tomato.
‘Get Your Jerk On’ shepherd’s pie
Serves: 1
Cooking time: 10 ½ minutes (800w microwave) plus 1 minute standing / 300ml / ½ pint mug
Ingredients
150g/5 oz sweet potato, peeled and diced90ml/3fl oz/ 1/3 cup water7.5ml/1 ½ tsp butter15g/ ½ oz onion, diced1 clove garlic, chopped15ml/ 1tbsp olive oil1 spring onion, roughly sliced20g/ ¾ oz carrot, diced
¼ scotch bonnet chilli, roughly chopped (They are very hot so use a jalapeno if you prefer a milder version!)
60g/ 2 ¼ oz minced/ground lamb50g/ 2 oz frozen peas2.5ml/ ½ tsp dried thyme2.5ml / ½ tsp ground allspice5ml/ 1tsp soft light brown sugar5ml/ 1 tsp malt vinegar5ml/ 1tsp tomato puree/paste2.5ml/ ½ tsp ground cinnamon15ml/ 1tbsp gravy granules30ml/ 2 tbsp water5ml/ 1 tsp chopped fresh mint leavessalt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
Start by making the sweet potato mash: place the sweet potato and water together in a bowl, cover and microwave on full power for 4 ½ minutes. Drain, add the butter and mash with a fork. Set aside.
Place the onion, garlic, olive oil, spring onion, carrot and chilli into the mug and microwave uncovered on full power for 3 minutes
Add the lamb to the mug and mix well. Then add all the remaining ingredients, except the mint and seasoning, to the mug. Microwave uncovered on full power for a further 3 minutes.
Remove from the microwave, stir well and leave to stand for 1 minute. Stir in the fresh mint and scoop the sweet potato mash on top. Season to taste and serve.
Chocolate orange cake
Serves: 1
Cooking time: 1 ½ minutes (800w microwave) plus 2 minute standing / 300ml / ½ pint mug
Ingredients
1 small egg30 ml/ 2 tbsp vegetable oil45ml/3 tbsp milk15ml/1 tbsp orange zestgood pinch salt30ml/ 2 tbsp marmalade30 ml/2 tbsp plain flour15 ml/1 tbsp ground almonds15 ml/1 tbsp caster sugar45ml/ 3 tbsp cocoa powder2.5ml/ ½ tsp baking powder10g/ ¼ oz dark chocolate (85% cocoa solids) broken into small pieceswhipped cream to serve
Method
Place the egg, oil, milk, orange zest, salt and marmalade into the mug and whisk with a fork until fully combined
Add the rest of the ingredients and combine thoroughly
Microwave uncovered on full power for 1 ½ minutes and leave to stand for 2 minutes. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream if you like!