Microwave

Now most people use the microwave to reheat coffee or meals but the it can become a real tool in a gourmet kitchen.  Most foodies I know look at the microwave as a novelty but if I made them a few of the recipes that are listed below they would never believe it came from the microwave.  If you decide to make any of them don't let anyone know how you made it and see how great the response will be.

Not all things work in the microwave but there are a few that work best being nuked.

Nothing that I've found cooks rice as well as a microwave bowl that my wife purchased for me from Pampered Chef.  It's a standard 2 to 1 mix.  First you run it on high for 5 minutes and then at 50% for 15 minutes.  No spills, no issues and exactly the same every time.

Cakes should only be made in the microwave.  You will have to play around with what works best for you but these recipes are a great start.  When I made my first microwave cake my wife and I didn't know what to expect but then we ate one of the most moist cakes that we'd ever had.  It took 10 minutes from start to finish minus clean up (I don't work in that department).
Cake Recipes:
Sponge Cake- 1/4 Cup of Melted Butter, 1/4 Cup of Sugar, 1/2 Cup of Self Rising Flour, 1 Egg, and 2 Tablespoons of Milk.  Combine and place half in a ramekin with cooking spray.  Cover with plastic wrap and punch holes.  Nuke for 1 minute.  Done when knife comes out clean.
Chocolate Cake- 3 Tablespoons of melted butter, 1/4 Cup of White Sugar, 1 Egg, 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla, 1/4 Cup of Milk, 1/2 Cup of Self Rising flour, 2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder.  Combine all ingredients well and pour into a greased microwave safe bowl or glass dish.  Cook for 2 minutes and add 30 seconds as needed until the cake springs back when touched.
These are two basic recipes that are good foundations.  Feel free to add different extracts such as almond or butter or maybe chocolate chips and walnuts.  I like to top them with frosting, a glaze or just whipped cream and fruit.

Tomato Slices (chill the Tomatoes in the frig) and Havarti.  Its a great combo and can be made in 3 minutes including the prep time. Slice an heirloom tomato (the best tomato that you can find) and place three on a plate covered with slices of Havarti cheese.  Nuke for 1 minute or until cheese has melted. Serve as an appetizer or a side.

Steam frozen vegetables.  This needs no instructions as they are written on the back of most frozen vegetable labels.

Poached Pears.  Peel 4 pears and place in a microwave safe bowl.  Blend 1 cup of raspberries and 1 cup of strawberries.  Pour over the pears and cover.  Nuke for around 6 minutes or until a knife can run smoothly into the flesh.  Plate with whipped cream or with cashew cream for a finishing touch.

There are many more recipes to come in the future but start with these and you will see how amazing a microwave can be.