Microwave/22 recipes

Microwave cherry preserves cook fresh pitted cherries with sugar, lemon, pectin, and a whisper of almond extract entirely in the microwave. Glossy, ruby-red preserves in 20 minutes of cook time. Small-batch canning made simple.

Light penne pasta tossed with microwave-cooked mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and olives. A 20-minute Weight Watchers dinner with bold Italian flavors.

Microwave New England clam chowder: bacon, potatoes, carrot, onion, clams, milk, and cream all cooked in a single casserole. Classic chowder flavor ready in about 20 minutes.

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.

Creamy microwaved spinach blends frozen spinach with sauteed onion, butter, cream cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg into a rich, no-bake side dish in 20 minutes. A microwave shortcut to creamed spinach.

Tasty, easy to prepare, brandy recipe for boneless pork chops. Best with 1" thick chops, a leafy spinach salad with walnuts, rasberry vinaigrette dressing with a dash of balsimic vinegar, and a glass of dark earthy Merlot. One of my favorite discoveries.

Scalloped oysters layered with buttery cracker crumbs, cream, and a drop of Worcestershire. A microwave-quick version of the holiday side that comes together in under 20 minutes without giving up the toasty top.

Spiced caramel popcorn snack mix with dried apples, raisins, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and allspice. A quick fall harvest treat ready in about 15 minutes.

Pineapple cheesecake made easy: a buttery graham crust under a creamy filling loaded with crushed pineapple, smooth cream cheese, and a touch of cornstarch to set it rich and sliceable. Tropical, tangy, and crowd-sized.

Easy microwave salmon loaf with canned or cooked salmon, soft bread crumbs, eggs and lemon juice. Ready in about 12 minutes from a non-metallic loaf pan, no oven required.

Steamed asparagus with bacon, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. A quick 20-minute diabetic-friendly side dish that works on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Microwave spiced red cabbage with vinegar, cloves, coriander seeds, peppercorns, and tart apple cooked tender in 20 minutes. A quick German-style braised cabbage side dish without the long stove time.

Chocolate cheesecake built on melted chocolate chips and 2 pounds of cream cheese, topped with sour cream layer and chocolate drizzle. A serious, dense chocolate dessert for special occasions.

Microwave chicken breasts over rice with dried beef, celery, onion, pine nuts, and parsley. A one-casserole dinner cooked entirely in the microwave in about 20 minutes.

Microwave beef meatloaf with ground chuck, onion soup mix, and ketchup. Six pantry ingredients, ready in 20 minutes, no oven required.

Lemony ham and rice soup made in the microwave in just 20 minutes. A quick one-dish meal using canned chicken rice soup, chopped ham, lemon juice, and nutmeg.