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I'm in the process of moving, so I'm in a hotel for another week before I make the 4 day ferry ride to my new house. I have a super mini-fridge and a microwave. I'm on an island in Southeast Alaska so restaurants are super expensive up here, my family and I have spent about a grand on dining out in the past week and a half!!Help me come up with some paleo-friendly hotel cooking...I'm stumped and I can't just live off Larabars and smoked salmon.

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It is possible to cook meat in the microwave. Google "microwave meat" for lots of ideas on technique and recipes. There are microwave meatloaf recipes that could be adapted to paleo, for example. – Dave S. Jun 21 2011 at 13:00
Chicken does surprisingly well in the microwave, eggs are okay but rubbery. – Jennifer Jun 21 2011 at 15:22

7 Answers

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I realize availability of products isn't going to be as abundant as in the lower 48, and I understand that eggs are very expensive in Alaska, too. I'm just going to make a list off the top of my head and hopefully, there will be something helpful in it.

  • Sweet potatoes microwaved like a baked potato with toppings of choice (poke with a fork to vent the potato first)

  • Liverwurst - I like to just snack on it plain, but it's good with mustard, too

  • Steamed veggies w/ butter - pick up some cheap ceramic dishes if possible - a bowl and a plate to use as a microwave steamer (the plate is the lid) for veggies. Frozen broccoli, etc. If you're avoiding chemicals in cans, then you don't want to nuke plastic dishes, either.

  • salads with shrimp (and/or HB eggs) & olive oil, choice of tasty vinegar and dry spices. EDIT: I'm thinking you could hard boil eggs by picking up a 4 cup Pyrex glass measuring cup, put about 3 cups of water in it, bring it to a fierce boil in the microwave, then drop 2-3 eggs in (probably just two). Keep in a warm place and/or cover with hotel towels... in about 22 minutes, you should have HB eggs or something close to it. You could also try it with eggs in the water, but first poke a pin hole into the top of each egg.

  • Bacon can be nuked between paper towels, and it isn't bad. Eat on its own or as a topping for items above

  • See if you can find deli meats without nitrates. Also good in a salad, wrapped around some kind of veggie or bacon or whatever else is available.

  • Oh! Forgot - I do this one a lot! Lettuce leaves topped with canned tuna mixed with whatever you like to make tuna salad with... making your own mayo won't be likely in a hotel, but maybe some onions and vinegar, mustard and whatever else you like and can get. Toss it and use the lettuce leaves as a vehicle for eating, top with anything else you like. Yes, I know, more fish, but maybe a way to change it up.

I'll edit this as the evening goes by and I (hopefully) think of more things that are palatable microwaved.

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For the benefit of other non-Americans.. The Lower 48.. after googling it seems this is the states below Canada.. :-) – meatboy Jun 21 2011 at 1:34
Nicely Done Shirley! – Eric Jun 21 2011 at 7:01
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We've been renovating our kitchen and I've been without sink and oven and cooktop for a few weeks. I've been using my Crockpot. Even if you don't already have one, it'll pay for itself in a couple of days.

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Sounds rough. Geesh, and only a microwave...I might want to splurge on a hot plate and just sneak the sucker in. You would have so many more options. Rock_Paper has the right idea.

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Hot plate's a good idea. I'd prolly bring the crockpot.. and the blender. heh. – g. Jun 21 2011 at 2:34
An electric frying pan is awesome in a hotel room too. – sherpamelissa Jun 21 2011 at 16:24
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Microwave poached eggs. Canned salmon Cheese

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I can dig the poached eggs, but don't eat dairy or canned foods. There is loads of fresh fish readily available around here, I just don't want to eat fish 3 times a day know what I mean? – Barefootmama Jun 21 2011 at 1:04
ceviche the fish just to mix it up...and beef tartar?? I love it, but have never attempted to make it at home. – MKS Jun 21 2011 at 1:38
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I was stuck in a motel for over a month on a remodel situation with only small frig. and microwave. Yes, there were many poached eggs and bacon in the microwave. Since you don't do dairy or canned you are more limited. ...fresh fish sounds great to me since we have ZERO available! but I am not sure how to fix in microwave. Beef jerky?

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You can cook thick fish very nicely in a microwave. – Prop Widow Jun 21 2011 at 7:57
I do salmon at work in the microwave all the time. Just cut into smaller pieces to cook (steam) evenly. – Dave S. Jun 21 2011 at 12:54
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My recommendation would be to go to Trader Joes, Safeway, ( not sure what's available to you) and pick up:

Precooked chicken breasts Hardboiled eggs ( these are available at Safeway or similar) Nitrate free hot dogs Bacon Tomatoes Onions Fruit Peperoncinis Spinach

It might not be exciting but you are set with hot dog dinners (sans buns), and eggs & bacon breakfasts, and chicken spinach and pepper lunches with fruit for snacks.

Good luck!

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You can prepare various stews in the microwave:

First heat fat an onions, add finely chopped meats (chicken or turkey) or meatballs, cook a few minutes, add finely chopped vegetables (cellery, carrots, tomatoes, peppers...) and boiling water, salt and spices/herbs, cook untill it boils on full heat, than for about 20 - 30 minutes on medium/low power until done.

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