5 weeknight dinners you can make in a Sharp Microwave

Microwaves are easily taken for granted – often relegated to heating leftovers or warming up cup noodles – but when a busy day has you looking for quick and easy dinner plans, you need one that can handle a full recipe from start to finish. That’s where the Sharp 36L Inverter Microwave Oven comes in. Armed with inverter technology and a powerful 1200W output, it delivers a smooth, continuous stream of heat for even cooking while a Smart Humidity Sensor takes the guesswork out of mealtimes.

“For busy households, convenience matters – but so does performance,” says Nick Trajkovski, The Good Guys Buyer – Microwaves. “Sharp microwaves are great because they come with smart cooking functions that not only make simple tasks such as defrosting and reheating quick and easy, but also offer the precise heat control you need to cook a full meal.”

Think you could be doing more with your microwave oven? Here are 5 easy weeknight dinner recipes, and why they’re better cooked in a Sharp microwave …

Recipe 1: Microwave Shakshuka

This easy, 10-minute dish is packed full of rich tomato flavour and is a great choice for a no-fuss, wholesome hot meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 200ml passata

• 1 garlic clove, finely sliced

• 1 heaped tbsp red pepper salsa or 1/4-1/2 red capsicum, finely chopped

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 medium egg

• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

• Pita bread, to serve

Method

1. Lightly brush a microwave-safe bowl or dish with olive oil.

2. Add the passata, garlic and red pepper salsa or red capsicum. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

3. Make a small well in the center, then crack in the egg. Prick the yolk once with the tip of a sharp knife.

4. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave cover. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute, then cook in 20-second bursts until the egg white is set and the yolk is cooked.

5. Carefully remove from the microwave, garnish with coriander and serve with warm pita bread.

Tip: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chilli flakes to the tomato mixture for a flavour boost or a little extra heat.

Enjoy better eggs with Smart Inverter Technology for even heating

For a delicate protein such as eggs, just a few extra degrees of heat can turn a perfectly soft yolk to rubber in an instant. That’s why an inverter microwave that delivers steady, continuous heat is able to give more reliable results.

“With a conventional microwave oven, heat is controlled simply by turning the power on and off,” explains Nick Trajkovski. “This means your food is getting hit with 100 per cent power even on the lower settings, which can be a disaster for heat-sensitive ingredients.”

However, with the Sharp 1200W Inverter Microwave, there are 11 precise power levels to choose from, delivering consistent heat throughout the whole cooking time.

Recipe 2: 5-Minute Macaroni and Cheese

A quick take on a comfort food favourite, this creamy mac and cheese makes for a fast yet filling dinner or late-night snack.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (50g) elbow macaroni

• 1/2 cup (120ml) water

• 3 tbsp milk

• 1/4 cup (25g) shredded cheddar cheese

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Fresh chives, to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Combine the macaroni and water in a microwave-safe mug.

2. Microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, then stir.

3. Add the milk, cheese, salt and pepper, then stir well.

4. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir again and garnish with chives.

Remove the guesswork with the Smart Humidity Sensor

Every type of pasta requires a slightly different amount of time to cook. But instead of taking a guess and hoping for the best, you can get perfect results at the touch of a button. The Sharp microwave oven’s built-in Smart Humidity Sensor measures the steam levels inside the cavity and automatically adjusts the cooking time and power accordingly, delivering a dish that’s just right.

Recipe 3: Chicken Skewers with Satay Sauce

These tender skewers with a little kick in the sauce are the perfect low-prep finger food for last-minute hosting.

Ingredients

• 400g skinless chicken breast fillets, sliced 1cm thick

• Chopped coriander, to garnish

For the satay sauce

• 1/2 cup (140g) smooth peanut butter

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 1/2 tsp water

• 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 2 drops Tabasco sauce

• 1/4 cup (60ml) water

Method

1. To make the satay sauce, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce and water in a small bowl and stir well.

2. Add the sugar, garlic and Tabasco sauce. Gradually stir in the water until smooth.

3. Refrigerate the sauce for 30 minutes to let flavours develop.

4. Place 2 tablespoons of the sauce in a separate bowl and set aside.

5. Thread the chicken onto 6 soaked wooden skewers. Brush with the remaining satay sauce.

6. Arrange the skewers on a microwave-safe rack in a circle.

7. Cook on MEDIUM HIGH (900W) for 2 1/2 minutes. Turn the skewers and cook for a further 2 1/2 minutes.

8. Stand for 2 minutes, then garnish with coriander and serve with the reserved satay sauce.

Get perfectly thawed chicken with Auto Weight Defrost

Don’t have time to let the chicken thaw before the guests arrive? With the Auto Weight Defrost function, simply hit the “defrost poultry/fish” button, enter the weight of the breasts and let this Sharp microwave do its job. What could have spent hours defrosting in the fridge is now ready to cook in minutes.

Recipe 4: Easy Microwave Risotto Primavera

Rich and nutritious, this microwave risotto is a simple way to serve up a satisfying family dinner without needing to watch the pot.

Ingredients

• 350g risotto rice

• 175ml white wine

• 850ml hot vegetable stock

• 500g frozen pea and bean mix

• 100g asparagus tips

• 100g soft goat’s cheese

• Mint leaves, roughly torn

Method

1. Place the rice in a large microwave-safe bowl. Pour in the wine and one-third of the stock. Cover with microwave-safe cling film, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, then microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes.

2. Carefully remove the bowl and stir the rice. Add another third of the stock, cover again and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.

3. Stir again, then add the frozen pea and bean mix, asparagus and remaining stock. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 7 minutes.

4. Stir through the goat’s cheese and mint until creamy. Stand for 2 minutes before serving.

Feed the whole family with Turntable Off for bigger serves

When you have a lot of mouths to feed, it can be hard to imagine cooking in a microwave. But meal size isn’t an issue for this Sharp microwave oven with its generous 36L capacity and Turntable Off function. By disabling the turntable at the touch of a button, you can fit larger rectangular dishes and take advantage of the full microwave capacity.

Recipe 5: Orange And Soy Salmon Parcels

Light, flavourful and quick to prepare, these salmon parcels make for an easy and healthy mid-week meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 red chilli, finely sliced

• 15g piece ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks

• 2 spring onions, finely sliced

• Juice of 1 orange

• 1/2 tbsp honey

• 2 skinless, boneless salmon fillets

• 2 pak choi (bok choy), quartered

• Sticky rice, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Combine the soy sauce, chilli, ginger, spring onion, orange juice and honey in a bowl.

2. Cut 2 large squares of baking paper. Place a salmon fillet and half the pak choi in the centre of each piece of paper.

3. Bring the baking paper up around the fish, then pinch and fold the corners together. Transfer the parcels to a plate.

4. Divide the sauce between the parcels, then fold in the parcel ends to seal well.

5. Microwave on HIGH for 4-5 minutes or until the salmon is tender.

6. Carefully open the hot parcels and serve with optional sticky rice

Clear out the smell, ready for dessert, with the Deodorise function

Imagine going to warm up a pudding in the microwave only to be hit by a hint of fish when you open the door. With the Deodorise function, your Sharp microwave can purge any lingering aromas so it’s ready for whatever dish is next up.

Looking for a new microwave to make home cooking easy? You’ll find it at The Good Guys. Head in store or online to see our range of cooking appliances and Sharp microwaves.