You know it’s going to be one of those lazy days before you even get out of bed in the morning. And as you lay in bed thinking about the long day ahead of you, you think of the various ways you can avoid making food. When we’re feeling lazy, all we want to do is grab a pop tart for breakfast or peel open a cup of Easy Mac. But we should not have to settle for mediocre (and unhealthy) meals. So put down the Easy Mac, because we are so much better than powdered cheese.
The solution to your lazy day food dilemma? The mug meal. These recipes are perfect for even the most inexperienced chef. A whole day of mug meals requires only a (pretty) mug, a spoon, a fork and a knife.
Breakfast: Omelette in a Mug
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
Toppings (cheese, chopped onions, chopped ham, chopped turkey, etc.)
Salt
Pepper
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Directions:
1. Crack eggs into mug. Add milk. Beat with fork
Photo by Megan Prendergast
2. Microwave for one minute.
3. Add toppings and microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until egg is cooked through.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
4. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Lunch: Couscous Greek Salad
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1/3 cup uncooked couscous
1/3 cup chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
pinch of salt
1/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 medium Roma tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon kalamata olives, halved
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1 tablespoon crumbled feta
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Directions:
1. Pour chicken broth or water in mug and microwave for three minutes.
2. Pour couscous into mug and cover. Let stand for five minutes. Then fluff with fork.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
3. Add lemon juice, olive oil and salt to mug. Stir until combined.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
4. Add cucumber, tomato, olives and green onion. Stir until combined.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
5. If you prefer a chilled couscous salad, cover and refrigerate for one hour.
6. Before serving, top with crumbled feta. Enjoy!
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Dinner: Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup water
3/4 cup macaroni
1/2 cup choice of shredded cheese
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Directions:
1. Place macaroni in mug and add water. Water should completely cover pasta. Add more water if necessary.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
2. Microwave on high for eight minutes. At the five-minute and two-minute mark, stir pasta and add more water if necessary. Cook until al dente.
3. Add cheese to pasta mixing with the small amount of water remaining at bottom of mug. If cheese does not completely melt, pop mug back in microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
4. Stir and enjoy!
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon of firmly packed brown sugar
3 drops vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons semi sweet chocolate chips
Photo by Megan Prendergast
Directions:
1. Melt butter in mug, about 30 seconds.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
2. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Mix until combined.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
3. Add egg yolk and flour and mix.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
4. Add chocolate chips and mix until completely combined.
Photo by Megan Prendergast
5. Cook in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Check for doneness at the 45 second mark. Do not cook past one minute.
6. Serve warm with a glass of milk!
Photo by Megan Prendergast