There was a minor slip on the road to a lifetime of gourmet healthy eats today when I realized this morning that I had no solid protein options ready to take to work. I knew I could always get by on protein shakes all day if necessary, but this would make me both nauseous and hella mean to be around, so I packed my insulated lunch kit up with a giant raw chicken breast from a pack of three that I hadn’t had time to cook up, a bag of frozen veggies, one steamed bun, and a selection of fruit.

Lunch was a backslide to my default emergency meal: chicken breast seasoned with one foil take out packet of soy sauce, a shake of Creole seasoning, and half a teaspoon of Italian seasoning served with a side of mixed veggies and the steamed bun.

All skillfully prepared in the office microwave.

I even had two co-workers ask what I was making because it smelled quite good. The fact that both of the guys were from Italian families probably accounted for it, since the Italian seasoning mix really got aromatic after three minutes.

Anyway, I fell off the “no nuked chicken and veggies” wagon temporarily, but at least I did it with panache.

It tasted very good, too.

:eat:

In case you ever find yourself in a similar fix with nothing on hand but raw chicken and a microwave, the best setting for nuking refigerator temperature poultry is 70% power for six minutes per pound preferably with plastic wrap, a plate or some other cover over the dish.

Nuke appetit!