Impress Your Parents with a Gourmet Microwave Meal: A Complete Entree and Multiple Sides

Impressing your parents with a gourmet meal doesn’t necessarily require a professional kitchen or even a stove. With a little creativity and the right ingredients, you can prepare a complete, delicious, and sophisticated meal using just a microwave. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a gourmet microwave meal that includes an enticing entree and multiple side dishes. Let’s get started!

The Entree: Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce

Salmon is a versatile and healthy protein that cooks beautifully in the microwave. The key is to season it well and pair it with a flavorful sauce. Here’s how to do it:

• Place a salmon fillet on a microwave-safe dish. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
• Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
• While the salmon is cooking, mix together 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to create a tangy lemon-dill sauce.
• Once the salmon is done, let it rest for a minute before drizzling the sauce over top.

The Sides: Steamed Asparagus and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These two sides are simple to prepare in the microwave, yet they add a touch of elegance to your meal.

Steamed Asparagus

• Trim the ends off a bunch of asparagus and place them in a microwave-safe dish.
• Add a tablespoon of water, cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap, and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
• Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• Cube 2 large potatoes and place them in a microwave-safe dish. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and enough water to cover the potatoes.
• Cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap and cook on high for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
• Drain the water, add 2 tablespoons of butter and a splash of milk, and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

With this gourmet microwave meal, you’ll not only impress your parents with your culinary skills, but also show them that a microwave is more than just a tool for reheating leftovers. Bon appétit!