This post is sponsored by Smartbowl
Microwave cooking generally isn’t something that is romanticized in the kitchen. Most people use their microwaves to reheat leftovers, and usually associate microwave cooking with soggy, unevenly cooked food. That stereotype is changing thanks to a new system called Smartbowl.
These bowls come in a set of three sizes and are made out of lightweight borosilicate glass—the kind scientists use in a lab. It has great thermal conductivity so it gets hot fast, which helps food cook faster. The bowls’ lids are made of medical grade pure silicone, so there’s no worry about them melting because they can withstand temps up to 450 degrees and there is no leaching or chemicals involved. The lid pops open when a certain amount of steam is generated, controlling moisture and temperature, ensuring juicy and evenly-cooked food. Together the glass bowl and lid simultaneously cook from the inside-out (microwave) and the outside-in (super-saturated steam). Pretty neat, huh?
Celebrity Chef, Art Smith (who was once Oprah’s personal chef!) developed 60 recipes using the Smartbowls for the brand’s cookbook. I would highly recommend getting the cookbook if you decide to order the bowls as it really teaches you how to use the bowls to make actual recipes instead of just using single ingredients. There are also many recipes on the Smartbowl website!
There are so many pros to using these bowls, from the drastic decrease in cooking time to the super easy dishwasher cleanup. I love how lightweight they are (about half as heavy as regular glass storage bowls), and they nest too, so storage is easy (even with the lids!)
I spent the past few weeks making dishes from the cookbook that comes with the bowls. My expectations were exceeded! Particularly with the seafood! In a Smartbowl you can poach an egg, cook seafood, crisp bacon, bake cakes, make party dips, and more. It’s ideal for so many things. The only thing they don’t recommend is anything you might want a crust on – like a steak. (Although I hear reheating steak in them is great!)
The first recipe I tried was the salmon and kale. It was simple and involved two of my favorite foods! Simply layer kale (or garden greens in my case) at the bottom of the large Smartbowl, drizzle with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, salt, and pepper, top with a piece of wild salmon, put on the lid to release air, and microwave for two minutes.
I added hearts of palm and peppers!
And marinated mango-chili sockeye salmon from Whole Foods’ frozen case that I had thawed overnight.
Lunch ready in less than 5 minutes. Impressive!! The salmon was juicy and on point. This is going to be so handy for the winter when I crave hot foods for lunch but don’t want to spend 30 minutes cooking and cleaning.
I made another quick hot lunch a few days later with a pesto parmesan burger (also from Whole Foods) and layers of spinach and leftover sweet potato. All-in-one lunch bowl! The burger tasted great.
On the breakfast front I made Chef Art’s blueberry oatmeal. I can’t say this was all that different from how I would normally microwave oatmeal, but there was no bubble over or explosions, and oats are oats! Yum.
I was super impressed with this omelet recipe. It involved crisping bacon first (which worked pretty well) and then adding eggs and cheese, and microwaving and stirring in intervals until it was cooked through.
This was really good!
I think my favorite recipe was the sweet potatoes with marshmallows!!
Begin with tiny cubes of sweet potato, olive oil, maple syrup, and rosemary and microwave for three minutes.
Then add the marshmallows and bake in the toaster oven until they are brown.
Flashbacks to many happy Thanksgivings! Mazen LOVED this dish!
This side dish, zucchini with olives, herbs, and feta, was also really delicious.
My Smartbowl contacts told me that seafood was one of the best things to cook because you always want moist and juicy seafood. So I took a stab at shrimp for an easy dinner, especially now that it’s on Mazen’s favorite food list!
Shrimp + olive oil + garlic + 60 seconds…
Perfection! Delicate and sweet shrimps.
Guess who gobbled these down…
I also tried clams!! Plus olive oil, garlic, red pepper, white wine, and lemon.
So good!! Just like I’d get in a restaurant. I was just missing the crusty bread to soak up that good juice.
And finally…dessert. I could not resist making the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie in a bowl! I mixed a bunch of ingredients in the Smartbowl…
And then cooked it according to the directions. While the shape was rustic, eating this hot out of the (microwave) oven was so good!
So good I had to break out the vanilla ice cream : )
That’s a wrap folks! I’ll let you know in Lately posts if I try out any more recipes. I’ve been using these for storing and reheating leftovers too and am finding them very convenient. Spinach artichoke dip soon? I would highly recommend these to anyone who’s looking to eat better and fresher, without the hassle of traditional cooking: busy moms, college students, those cooking for one person, seafood fanatics, people who eat on the go or pack their lunch and use a microwave to warm it up!
A set of Smartbowls costs $49, and are available to purchase through smartbowlsystem.com. I have a set to giveaway to a lucky reader! Enter between now and Friday below.
Thanks to Smartbowl for sponsoring this post and the giveaway!
Tabitha T. says
Dinner in 5 min..that would be awesome! Those Shrimp look great and so does the omelette.
Em says
I’d cook oatmeal to speed up my mornings once it gets cold outside.
Megan says
That cookie…yum!
Wendy says
I woud try cooking eggs in the microwave if I had these bowls.
Stephanie P says
I am intrigued! I would try making salmon.
Jillian says
I’ve been trying to replace some of the chicken I eat with more fish so this looks awesome!
bill says
love the shrimp dish
Tonya says
I want to try making shrimp. That was the pic that sold me! Plus Art Smith is an amazing cook. I also want to try those microwave cookies! Although, that could be dangerous for my waistline. I kind of need cookies to be a hassle to make. LOL!
claire says
I am constantly reheating leftovers for lunch throughout the week and would love to try these.
Charlotte says
The seafood looks amazing! I am always too lazy to cook them, but this seems totally doable!
Amanda says
Omg, I feel like I would eat those sweet potatoes every day. They sounds AMAZING.
Meghan C says
Wow what a neat concept. I would definitely make the sweet potatoes with marshmallows!
natasha says
I basically only cook in the microwave since I don’t have an oven!
I really want to try the clams since I grew up on them in Massachusetts and can never make them at home!
Allison says
Would try that shrimp and salmon
Laura says
Looks good! I would try the shrimp.
deb fann says
Wow, those are so cool! I would love to try the clams! Yum!
suzanne dennis says
my apartment here in Alberta, Canada has been like a sauna this summer!
i would use the SmartBowl system for absolutely EVERYTHING…..keep the house cool, and build in portion control
#winwin
Melissa says
I’d love to make a veggie casserole!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Umm I want to make all these meals! haha
Nikki says
Yams
Becca says
The seafood options would be awesome!!
Andrea says
Fish…I’m intrigued.
Kaitlin G says
This is amazing!!! Seafood in the microwave?? Who knew. My fiancé and I are big seafood lovers, so that’d be the first thing we’d try!
Laura says
I would definitely try a dessert first! Really interesting stuff, I wouldn’t think you could cook all that in a microwave and have it turn out well!
Kate says
The salmon looks great!
Jen Ross says
Love this! Everything always bubbles over or heats unevenly when I use the microwave. Would love to try these.
Kori says
All of the above! I love how you can make an entire seafood meal in one bowl. Genius!
Allison says
OK, my curisity is piqued! I would definitely be trying the seafood. I am often cooking for just myself so this would definitely come in handy!
Erin says
cooking fish sounds awesome in that!!
meredith says
the seafood and baking options speak to me! mmm.
Alisha says
I would try shrimp!
Keilah says
The shrimp!
Laura says
These look really neat- especially the shrimp and clams!
Danielle says
Intriguing! My son also loves shrimp, so I’d try that same recipe that Mazen liked so much! Or with a touch of Old Bay 🙂
Darbi says
Ice cream!
Nancy V says
I am single and cooking for one is a pain. I like fast meals and find microwave cooking works pretty good for me already, but I sure would LOVE to have a set of these!
hillary says
I would be making any sort of fish or shrimp! Easy weeknight meal!!
Sally says
Would love to to try that salmon!
Michele says
Would love to try these out! The clam dish sounds especially fantastic!
Kaitlyn says
Those look pretty awesome! Cooking for one can definitely be challenging at times – this looks like it would also reduce dishes to wash!
Claire says
I want to make it all! That cookie looks delish!
Rachel says
I want to try the shrimp and the sweet potato they both look awesome.
laura says
Definitely the shrimp! They look amazing!
Jane says
All about the salmon! I live in NYC and haven’t used the stove or oven in a month because my apartment gets too hot. This would be perfect!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
Ohh, I”d love to make the mussels!
Carla Reyes says
I’d probably make everything, haha! You make those shrimps look really good, and I do dislikesauteeing and dirtying up a pan, so I’d probably try that and the salmon first…and then make a microwave cookie for dessert! 😉 Interesting concept, thanks for sharing!
Marisa says
That cookie! Yum.
Kayleen says
This was so surprising to me! Microwave food that is good for you? Seems like a good compromise between real food (slow cooked) and microwave dinners.
Rachel says
These look awesome! I cook at home most of the time so I can control my food since I have special dietary needs. I love taking leftovers to work for lunch, and knowing they’d taste just as delicious as when I made them fresh using these bowls would be great!
Rose says
i’m definitely freaking out over that salmon. one of my favorite foods to eat but I’ve been in such a “I don’t feel like cooking” mood lately.
Sarah says
Definitely interested in cooking seafood.
Laura T. says
id definitely want to make the PB cookie!
Elizabeth says
This sounds awesome! Cooking for one, I always feel ambitious while I’m at the grocery store, but by the time I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is stand over the stove for 30 minutes. I would totally try those clams!
Larbs says
These sound perfect for a new mother…I want to try that omelet or the cookie.
Randi says
This is so intriguing, I’d love to give it a try!
Andrea says
Can you cook chicken? I’m up for giving it a try!
KathEats says
Yes! One of the best things to cook
Mary says
This post is great! Thanks for sharing! I would try the salmon first. It sounds like I could pack all the ingredients and cook fresh at work!
kayla says
Those sweet potatoes look INCREDIBLE. I <3 sweet potatoes. But let's be real, so did that salmon!
Charise says
I am only cooking for myself these days but normally dislike the texture of microwave-heated food, I would be super interested to try these!
Erin says
I’s make seafood and lunch bowls for work.
Joanne Dearden says
The shrimp look delicious…and that cookie – wow!!
LindaMc says
I would try omelet and the cookie!
Morgan says
These sound like exactly what I need in my life right now. As a mom of a 5 month old I have no time to cook, but I think I could totally handle microwaving meals 🙂
Morgan says
Oh And I would make the salmon and that dessert, YUM!
Juliet says
This is very interesting and very curious to see how this works. I would like to try the eggs and see how the shrimp comes out!
Tracey says
I would love to have an easier way to cook seafood, especially days when I have very little time.
Jessica says
The cookie and the shrimp look delicious. My husband loves shrimp so I would love to try this.
Lynn says
I would use it to cook fish for sure.
Colleen says
I’d try the egg dishes first. I’d love a way to prepare eggs that doesn’t make them cooked in the microwave runny or rubbery!
Dorothy says
I’d love making hot lunches at work with these! No need to cook a lunch ahead of time, just add ingredients, store in the work fridge and cook at lunchtime. Awesome!
Anne Weber-Falk says
Salmon and shrimp! If it’s that fast and easy then it would encourage me to eat these more often.
Kimberly says
The entrees look delicious, but the cookie dessert would probably be the first I’d want to try 🙂
Lindsay says
This post made me crave sweet potatoes and marshmallows!
Lindsay says
Salmon! All day err day!
Jenn says
I wanna try your cookie recipe!
Michelle says
Very cool! I would love to try these. The shrimp looks great!
Leigh says
I’d love to try cooking fish!
Bobbie says
Definitely the sweet potato with marshmallows dish and I’d love to try the omelet too!
Marina says
I definitely would want to try the seafood — can’t believe the shrimp turned out so well!
Bobbie says
These look like they’d be great for my college girl! Thanks, Kath! 🙂
Vivienne says
I would definitely make a dish with salmon or eggs!
Chelsey Hoffmann says
These look like they could be super helpful as I have a 5 week old baby now at home!
Whitney says
These are so so so cool! I love that you can cook salmon, shrimp., and so much more quick and easily. I am definitely going to order a set!
Cyn says
As a teacher heading back to school and back to a busy schedule this looks like a great option for quick healthy dinners!
Cathy Wilson says
I love eggs so this would be a great way to make a quick breakfast on work days.
Leah T says
These look perfect for making hot, fresh lunches at work!
melissa campbell says
I would love these! It would be great to be able to pack a bowl of veggies, chicken, etc. and bring to work each day for lunch!! I always struggle with packing a lunch…this would be a great alternative!
Christine says
I would make the onelet
Lindsey Lou says
Those shrimp look delish!
Taylor Closet says
I wanna make meat loaf.
Amanda F says
I would love to try salmon or shrimp. This would be so nice when my husband is out of town as cooking for one is no fun.
Pat says
What a great concept. I’d certainly use it for seafood and veggies – things that are messy or take a long time to cook.
Bonnie says
I’d love to try oatmeal but also something savory like fish with greens.
Leslee @ Her Happy Balance says
If I can make seafood in the microwave that isn’t rubbery and gross I would be SO SO SO thrilled. I’d give the salmon/clams/shrimp….maybe even scallops (?) a go!
Kim says
I would like to try the omelet!
Amanda says
The peanut butter chocolate chip cookie looks delicious. I would try dessert first. 😉
Margaret says
This looks so convenient for making healthy meals. I’d try the ale and salmon for starters!
Margaret says
*kale 🙂
anne says
I would definitely try seafood — it would make for a quick dinner! Also, the cookie looks delicious and I’d finish wit that!
Ellen says
What a cool idea! I love the idea of microwave cookies 🙂
Leslie says
I can’t wait to try the cookie!
Erin says
The shrimp look awesome!
melissa says
the omelet!
Sarah says
The fish recipes look amazing!!
bmrobertson63 says
That shrimp looks great!
Courtney says
So cool! I’ve been having less and less time to cook dinner each night, so this would be great for my husband and me!
Alexandria says
My second kiddo is due in a month and I can only imagine how handy these would be for quick one handed meals! I especially love the seafood ideas; those clams look divine.
Courtney says
the cookie recipe, for sure!
Louise says
Seafood! Husband does not eat anything that swims!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Oh my gosh I LOVE this! I am not much of a cook, so the thought of using one of these bowls and recipes and microwaving my dinner is weirdly appealing to me. I know microwaves can get a bad rap, but they are magical!
Nicole D says
I want to make an omelet!
Dina says
These sound interesting! I would try making omelettes and anything else, really.
Coco says
these seem so handy for a busy life. I’d love to try them out!
Angie says
The cookie! With the added ice cream of course!
Tracy says
Bacon & cheese omelet!
ErikaMC says
That cookie would be the first thing I make! I would love to try out some recipes like meatloaf or egg recipes.
Amy says
I’m seven months pregnant and that peanut butter chocolate chip cookie would hit the spot! I’m intrigued by the seafood as well.
Christina C says
I would love to make those shrimp!
Sara says
I would try them all!
Holly says
I like making herbs and veggies!
Erin says
I want to try all the seafood! (and definitely the cookie!)
eliz says
I use the microwave vegetables and eggs all the time. Looking forward to trying the Smartbowl.
Meredith says
These bowls are right up my alley! I would love to try and cook fish in the microwave, it would be such a time saver and I love that the food doesn’t dry out!
Casey the College Celiac says
This would be perfect for fast meals while I’m at college! And that cookie is calling my name…
Kelley Meyers says
This sounds so cool and right up my alley! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kelley Meyers says
I would try all the recipes!
Donna Kellogg says
I think the sweet potatoes and marshmallows look so good. I would definitely try that it seems I am the only one that likes them and this would be perfect and fast to make them just for myself.
paige c says
I want that cookie! YUM
Ake says
I am going to be all over that cookie.
Stace says
Oooh…these are awesome! I want to make EVERYTHING! 🙂
bonnie says
I’d make dessert first 🙂
Katie says
I can’t resist anything with chocolate and PB so that cookie would be first! But I’m really interested in these bowl for quick dinners during the summer when I don’t want to turn on the oven.
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
The cookie for sure! Yum!
Michelle says
All these recipes look delicious and easy to put together. I would love to win a set of smartbowls and give them a try. Thanks for the giveaway!
Kelly says
I think oatmeal would be the first thing I try! thanks so much!
Courtney says
This is awesome! Especially with the seafood.. I’d definitely like to try more seafood dishes if cooking was this fast and convenient!
Anne says
These look awesome! I would love to try cooking salmon.
Ruth says
The looks so easy, foolproof seafood sounds awesome
Erin M. says
I’m intrigued by the salmon!
Caroline says
I would love to try making salmon! Whenever I bake it I inevitably overcook it!
Jenn says
Your dessert, of course! Loved that peanut butter chocolate chip cookie in a bowl!
Tierney says
I would start with the salmon, looks great!
Ashley says
What a great concept! The sweet potato recipes look amazing.
Elisabeth says
That omelet would be one of my first recipes to try!
Kathy says
flan
Holly says
Do you UNDERSTAND how much I need these!?!?!?!?!? I get home at 7, in bed by 9….these would help so much!
I’d definitely try fish and chicken.
Amanda says
Cake
Kelsey says
Wow this would be so convenient for me – I’m working late and am always rushing to get a dinner for one on the table! I would love to make the cookie (yum!) or any of the entrees. Quick fish would be great!
Anu says
I’d love to make eggs in different ways!
Alana says
This is awesome! I’d to try making seafood, especially salmon! Those shrimp look like perfection!
Ellie says
I’d love to win these!!! They look amazing
Kristina N. says
Those clams look amazing, but would love to try with mussels instead!
Ann P-L says
I wanna make that cookie in a bowl!!!!!
Allison says
I would love to make any type of seafood! Especially salmon – I don’t make salmon often and I feel like this would be a quick, delicious, no fuss way to do it.
Laura says
I want to try making the shrimp. They look delish and so easy!
Tomika says
I’m a little weirded out by fish in the microwave….. but those yams look AMAZING!
Ilana says
I’d make that cookie first of course 🙂
Dana says
These sound really great for helping our kitchen game once our little one arrives this Winter!
Flo says
The cookie looks awesome!!
Dee Stumpo says
Adding these to my Christmas wish list.
melanie says
I’d love to make the salmon!
Charleneds says
I would make any seafood. I would like to have it for lunch more often, but don’t take the time. These bowls would be perfect.
Thanks for having this raffle.
julie o says
I would love to make salmon! These would be perfect!!
Lolita says
Wow, I’d love to own a set of these bowls. I’m a back to school mom and just short on time all the time…preparing healthy food becomes a chore. Anything to make it faster and still yummy sounds so cool to me! Thanks, Kath!
Sandy says
would love to have these to fix lunch. I never have a quick, healthy lunch plan that is hot.
Molly S says
excited to make leftovers in these during the week. They seem amazing for a new graduate looking to meal prep for work!
Caitlin F. says
These are awesome!! I’d use it every day to make eggs since I’m incapable of making real omeletes on the stovetop. Mine always turn into scrambles. Also, those oatmeal pb chocolate chip cookies sound incredible.
lori says
What an easy and quick way to steam clams- yum!
Megan says
How well does it cook ground turkey?? Tacos anyone?
Jennifer Kline says
I want to try the cookie. Yum!
Ashley R says
Those sweet potatoes look awesome!
Helen says
Perfect fish in just a few minutes sounds lovely!
And it’s not just labs – your standard Pyrex is the same glass.
Colleen says
The microwave cookie looks like it could be dangerous if that easy to make! 🙂 Definitely interested in seeing if that’s the case!!
Jessie N says
The cookie! It looks yummy and it would make a great before bedtime snack 🙂
Maria says
I would love this. I am going to have an empty nest soon…literally empty as in just me! so a fast dinner would be great! much better than eating just popcorn for dinner!
kelly says
The cookie looks awesome!
Carrie says
Would love to try making healthy, hot lunches in these during the winter months!
Holly Kalsbeek says
These bowls look amazing~
Emily says
I would love to try seafood – what an easy alternative to pots and pans!
Pamela Huckabee says
I would love to use it for steamed veggies. I use a plastic type steamer at the moment and I think the glass and silicone would be so much better.
JC says
Oatmeal!
Katie B says
COOKIE IN A BOWL oh my gosh
Emily says
Squash! Just in time for fall.
Marybeth Wakefield says
sweet potato with marshmallow! Looks amazing
Katie B says
I wanna make cookies! and egg dishes!
Cindy says
That salmon looks too good to be true!
Devin Self says
Cooking salmon in the microwave would be awesome! So much easier and more convenient to have during the week!
Katie says
When I had a blog my handle was microwavin maven. I definitely need these!!
Caitlin Elliott says
These bowls are intriguing and the shrimp you made look delicious! I’m interested in trying the seafood recipes and of course that cookie!
Diana says
Oh my goodness, how much do I want to poach an egg in one of those babies! I would love to make all sorts of eggs or seafood in them!
Alicia says
The cookie and shrimp look absolutely delicious!
Shoshana says
I would definitely try the shrimp!
Maren says
Very cool idea. I’m especially intrigued by the oatmeal as mine often boils over.