Can any of you imagine a situation, where you are put up in a kitchen with only a “Microwave” to cook? No stove, No processor or mixer, No electric cooker, Only Microwave. A scenario no one would ever dream of. Well, I am currently in such a situation.

Okay, let me explain in detail. My hubby darling got an onsite assignment in Mexico City. His great company’s main concern is only about their employee’s security. On those reasons, we were given accommodation in a star hotel and we had no choice of renting an apartment or a condo and we were also not eligible for taking the “suite types” in the hotel in his current project rate. We moved into a room in the 9th floor. Our home for another 4-5 months!! My hubby actually came here a month before my arrival. So he had spoken to the guest service manager of the hotel and requested him to provide us with a microwave, which was a little relief. Something is always better than nothing.

Actually the room is very spacious and has a very good view. I like it very much. :) :). It gives me a homely feeling cuz of the arrangement. There s this big “giant” size couch and a 25” LCD in the front. There is a big study table to the side of it. Then comes the king size bed and the closet. So its juz like a condo or suite with a kitchen missing. :( :( . The first initial days were very dreadful. I had not used a microwave before. So I just browsed the net and collected some good tips from it. But for my utter astonishment, this microwave does not work properly. I was not able to temper mustard seeds or curry leaves. Actually it caught fire the first time we tried. :( :( . I was not even able to cook rice in it!! Then my hubby somehow found out that the power level is very high and so the water keeps spilling. We reduced it to 50% and it was working fine. I got relieved a little thinking that we can at least make curd rice with this. When we were thinking somehow things are getting sorted, there came a major issue. Since we were experimenting on it the whole Sunday, the current tripped in our room due to excess use of microwave. Then the service guy said, as it is a high end appliance we should use it only for a limited time. Oh shit, again another major hit!! How are we going to survive? Only on boiled vegetables and curd rice for 6 months? No!!

Then by day-by-day experiment I found out how to use this efficiently. First, I listed out what cannot be done in this microwave. I cannot sauté onions or other items; I cannot cook dahl as it takes much time to cook, almost an hour or so. Then I listed out the ingredients I had with me. From India, I got some packets of tamarind paste, chili powder, Garam masala, homemade curry and sambhar powder, ginger garlic paste and some MTR readymade mixes like upma, idli etc... Finally I decided that I can make one curry, rice and some gravy for it every day. This is my current phase of life, experimenting on different things, how to adjust with the things available especially for cooking etc… Even though it is very difficult, this is altogether a different experience.

So here is how you can make not so great but definitely a good food. “Survival of the fittest”. Go ahead and have a look. Who knows may be this too can be of use to you at times.

Survival of the fittest