Salad recipes

Orange spirited carrots cooked in the microwave with vodka, butter, orange zest, and a touch of sugar. A quick glazed carrot side dish ready in 20 minutes.

Microwave cucumber-onion bake with layered sliced cucumbers, onion rings, ketchup, and butter. A retro vegetable side dish ready in 30 minutes with just 6 simple ingredients.

Crisp steamed asparagus on baby lettuce with toasted hazelnuts and a tarragon-Dijon vinaigrette made with hazelnut oil. An elegant make-ahead salad or appetizer.

Microwave cauliflower scramble with frozen cauliflower in cheese sauce, zucchini, tomatoes, and thyme. A quick vegetable side dish ready in 30 minutes with no stovetop needed.

Scalloped asparagus layered with sharp cheddar cheese sauce and toasted almonds. Microwave method makes this creamy side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Microwave broccoli spears topped with a creamy lemon-ginger butter sauce made from scratch. A fast vegetable side dish with bright citrus flavor.

Microwave cauliflower au gratin with a quick cheddar cheese sauce made from scratch. Ready in under 20 minutes using just a microwave, no oven needed.

Microwave broccoli mushroom scallop topped with sharp cheddar and paprika. A retro side dish on the table in 30 minutes.

Classic creamy succotash made in the microwave with buttery lima beans, sweet corn, pimentos, and half-and-half. A quick, no-fuss American side dish ready in 25 minutes.

Cold spicy soba noodles tossed in a creamy tahini, sesame oil, and chili dressing with reduced soy sauce, brown sugar, and balsamic. The Japanese-style cold noodle bowl ready in 40 minutes.

Hot curried broccoli slaw stir-fried with orange juice, maple syrup, and toasted curry powder. A tangy, sweet, tender-crisp side dish served over rice in just 30 minutes.

Thai green papaya salad (som tum) with grated unripe papaya, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and peanuts in a spicy soy-chili-lemon dressing. Served with raw cabbage leaves for scooping.

Marinated shrimp kabobs with picante sauce and Italian dressing, threaded with broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes. A make-ahead cocktail appetizer with three-color visual punch.

Microwave-steamed globe artichokes with a zesty mustard dipping sauce made with brown mustard, Italian dressing mix, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

Low-fat marinated vegetable platter with crisp broccoli, carrots, celery, red pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in tangy Italian dressing. Make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it chills.

Sweet potato phoenix nests deep-fried between two sieves into crispy, golden lattice bowls. Just 3 ingredients and a stunning presentation for stir-fries or salads.