TIME Diet & Nutrition

3 Easy Microwave Snacks You Can Cook in a Mug

Forget popcorn: it's time to go gourmet

We’re not saying you should cook all your meals in the microwave, but just using this handy oven for reheating leftovers and making popcorn is so last century. In fact, you can make some surprisingly gourmet things in the microwave (given the tiny amount of time and effort required.)

Read on for simple recipes that take two minutes or less.

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Serves: 1

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (preferably grass-fed, like Kerrygold)
2 medium carrots (about 4 oz.), chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped (about 1 ½ tsp.)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger
½ cup water
Sea salt

Place all ingredients into a large mug. Cover loosely and microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and microwave for another 45 seconds to 1 minute. Pour into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Transfer back to mug and serve.

Chocolate Mug Cake

[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Chocolate Mug Cake

Yield: 1 cake

2 Tbsp. raw cacao powder (such as Navitas)
1 Tbsp. coconut oil (such as Carrington Farms)
2 Tbsp. almond flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill)
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
Pinch of salt
1 large egg
½ tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients together in a large mug. Microwave on high until just cooked, about 1 minute.

Optional frosting (because, frosting!)

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. cacao
1 Tbsp. maple syrup

Whisk together and spoon on top of cake just before serving.

Poached Egg

Poached Egg

Serves: 1

1 large egg

Pour ½ cup water into a large mug. Crack 1 large egg on top; sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover loosely and microwave for about 50 seconds to 1 minute, until egg white is just set and yolk is still a bit runny. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the poached egg out of the mug; serve.

This article originally appeared on Health.com

More from Health.com:

  • Carrot-Ginger Soup

    carrot-ginger-soup
    Beth Lipton

    Serves: 1

    2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (preferably grass-fed, like Kerrygold)
    2 medium carrots (about 4 oz.), chopped
    1 large clove garlic, chopped (about 1 ½ tsp.)
    1 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger
    ½ cup water
    Sea salt

    Place all ingredients into a large mug. Cover loosely and microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and microwave for another 45 seconds to 1 minute. Pour into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Transfer back to mug and serve.

  • Chocolate Mug Cake

    chocolate-mug-cake
    Beth Lipton

    Yield: 1 cake

    2 Tbsp. raw cacao powder (such as Navitas)
    1 Tbsp. coconut oil (such as Carrington Farms)
    2 Tbsp. almond flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill)
    1 Tbsp. water
    1 Tbsp. maple syrup
    Pinch of salt
    1 large egg
    ½ tsp. vanilla extract

    Whisk all ingredients together in a large mug. Microwave on high until just cooked, about 1 minute.

    Optional frosting (because, frosting!)

    1 Tbsp. coconut oil
    1 Tbsp. cacao
    1 Tbsp. maple syrup

    Whisk together and spoon on top of cake just before serving.

  • Poached Egg

    poached-egg
    Beth Lipton

    Serves: 1

    1 large egg

    Pour ½ cup water into a large mug. Crack 1 large egg on top; sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover loosely and microwave for about 50 seconds to 1 minute, until egg white is just set and yolk is still a bit runny. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the poached egg out of the mug; serve.

    This article originally appeared on Health.com

    More from Health.com:

Your browser is out of date. Please update your browser at http://update.microsoft.com


YOU BROKE TIME.COM!

Dear TIME Reader,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy. Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.

The TIME Team