Surviving without a microwave oven and relying solely on an electric stove top to cook meals is entirely feasible and quite common. Many people around the world cook their meals using stovetops without the need for a microwave. Here are some tips to make cooking without a microwave convenient and efficient:
Stovetop Cooking: The electric stove top can be used to perform a wide range of cooking tasks, such as boiling, simmering, sautéing, frying, and more. You can prepare soups, stews, sauces, pasta, rice, and various other dishes using pots and pans on the stove.
Use Oven for Baking: If you have access to an oven, you can use it to bake and reheat food that you might have previously warmed up in a microwave. Ovens are excellent for baking casseroles, roasted vegetables, meats, and desserts.
Plan Meals Ahead: To avoid the convenience of a microwave for reheating leftovers, plan your meals in advance. Cook larger batches of food and store individual portions in the refrigerator or freezer. When you need to reheat, use the stove or oven to warm the food.
Toaster Oven: Consider investing in a toaster oven. It can be an excellent alternative to microwave reheating for smaller portions and can even be used for baking and toasting.
Steaming: Steaming is a healthy and effective way to cook vegetables, fish, and other foods. You can use a steamer basket or a stovetop steamer to accomplish this.
Slow Cooker/Crockpot: A slow cooker or crockpot can be a valuable addition to your kitchen. It allows you to prepare meals in the morning and have them ready by the evening, without the need for constant supervision.
Pre-cooked and Fresh Foods: Make use of pre-cooked and fresh foods that require little to no reheating. Salads, sandwiches, wraps, and raw fruits are excellent choices for quick and microwave-free meals.
Adapt Recipes: Look for stovetop-friendly recipes or adapt microwave recipes to suit stovetop cooking.
Be Patient: Stovetop cooking may take a little longer than microwave cooking for some dishes, but with practice, you'll become more efficient and comfortable.
Overall, cooking without a microwave oven is a matter of adjusting your cooking habits and using different cooking methods. It may require some planning and time management, but it's certainly possible to prepare delicious and healthy meals using only an electric stove top and other traditional cooking tools.