Mug-tastic Meals

Cooking a meal shouldn’t mean slaving away at the stove, followed by a mammoth clean-up. Nadia D’Andrea shows you how to make simple meals using one handy tool: the humble mug.
Microwaveable Apple crumble
Ingredients
1 medium-sized green apple, thinly sliced
1tbsp of brown sugar
For topping
1tsp of brown sugar
1 tbsp of melted butter
3 tbsp rolled oats
½ tsp of cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Method
- Place the apple slices in the mug and coat well with cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Cook in a microwave on high for three minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix butter, oats and sugar together, then add cinnamon to taste.
- Once apples are cooked, place oat mixture on top and cook for 1 minute.
- Let cool for one minute, then add a scoop of ice cream and enjoy.
Omelette in a mug
Ingredients
2 tbsp bacon or pancetta pieces
2 eggs
1 medium-sized mushroom, cut into small pieces
¼ capsicum, cut into small pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Cook the bacon pieces in the microwave on high for three minutes or until almost fully cooked.
- Add capsicum, mushrooms and eggs. Whisk with a fork till combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook on high for 3-4 minutes or until eggs are light and fluffy.
Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Ingredients
½ cup of Macaroni*
1/3 cup of milk
Pinch of stock to taste**
¼ cup of grated cheese, Tasty or Mozzarella (both work fine)
Slices of spring onion (optional)
Method
- Place macaroni in a large mug and cover with boiling water till the water sits 2 cm above pasta.
- Cook for two minutes and then stir, ensuring the pasta does not clump.
- Cook for a further two minutes, stir, then drain water.
- Add milk and stock/salt to pasta, stir and cook on high for one minute.
- Add cheese, stir, and cook for another two minutes. Top with fresh spring onions and enjoy.
Bonus- you can add cooked bacon pieces to the mac and cheese for extra yumminess
*I used the brand Barilla which cooks for 7 minutes
**I use Vegeta, but chicken stock works well