microwave


I've only ever used my microwave to warm up leftovers or heat things quickly (like melt butter for baking). It never occurred to me that I could cook whole meals in there—in minutes!

Now, when I talk about microwave meals, I'm definitely NOT talking about Lean Cuisine or some other frozen dinner. I'm talking about filling meals that use fresh, whole foods and taste good—yet still are quick and easy to cook.

Once I started looking, I found tons of recipes for this type of microwave meal. You really can make anything in there including mac and cheese, sandwiches, chicken, fish, tacos, even burgers (although I'm not so sure they would be all that great).

I'm going to try this recipe for Pesto Baked Potatoes. And if you don't like pesto, follow the recipe, but use your own favorite toppings.

Pesto Baked Potatoes from Vegetarian Times

1 medium-size baking potato

3 canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons soft silken tofu

2 tablespoons prepared pesto

2 tablespoons pine nuts

3 purchased croutons, crushed

Prick potato 4 or 5 times with fork. Microwave on high 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender in the center. Cool slightly. Mash together artichoke hearts, tofu, pesto and pine nuts in bowl. Hold potato in paper towel, and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out flesh, leaving thin layer of potato on skin, and mash it into tofu mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refill both halves of potato, mounding filling. Sprinkle with crushed croutons, and return to microwave. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until hot.


Now I'm on the hunt for even more meals of this sort. What meals do you make in the microwave?