Egg and Cheese SandwichI'll admit, a microwaved egg doesn't have that same texture as one in a frying pan. The results, however, are surprisingly better than you might expect.

1 egg
1 slice of cheese, preferably cheddar
2 slices of bread, or an English muffin
1 tbsp bacon bits
Olive oil

- Using a paper towel, dab some olive oil onto your microwave-safe cooking container, and spread evenly over the surface.
- Crack egg into dish and whisk with fork.
- Microwave, covered, for 1 minute.
- Place cheese on egg, sprinkle on bacon bits and cook covered for another 15 seconds.
- Carefully flip egg out of container and in between bread.

Peanut Noodle 'Stir-fry'

Ramen noodles have so many great uses other than just soup. Ignore that fact they are deep fried and high in saturated fat. They're delicious, and just about the cheapest food in the world. The peanut sauce can be found in the Asian or ethnic foods aisle of just about any supermarket.

1 carrot, or a bunch of baby carrots, sliced
bell pepper, sliced
1 package ramen noodles
cup peanut sauce
1 tbsp olive oil

- Place carrots and bell peppers in container with olive oil. Toss mixture, and cook in microwave for 1.5 minutes. Set aside.
- Put ramen noodles in container, and cover with just enough water that all noodles are submerged. Microwave covered for 3 minutes, stir, then microwave for 3 more minutes.
- Drain noodles, and toss them with vegetables and peanut sauce in container. Cook in microwave for 45 seconds.
- Optional: top with crushed peanuts and fresh mint.

Twice-'Baked' Potatoes

Great as a snack, but filling enough even for a main meal. Think of it as glorified mashed potatoes. This recipe calls for just cheese and bacon bits as fillings, but go ahead and experiment. Spruce it up a bit by adding any sort of chopped vegetables or anything else that tickles your fancy.

1 large potato
cup shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack or other easily melted cheese
1 tbs bacon bits

- Bake potato according to your specific microwave. This will usually take about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Cut potato in half. Scoop out the potato while trying to leave the skins intact as much as possible. Set the skins aside.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, mash up the scooped-out potato with a fork. Mash in the cheese and the bacon bits. If you have any additional fillings, add them in now.
- Microwave for 30 seconds, or until the cheese is all melted. Scoop the potato filling back into the potato skins.
- Garnish with parsley, if that's your thing.

'Baked' Apples

Just in time for the apple season (which is right now!). These come out quite good-think of it as apple pie filling without the crust. If you want to make more than one apple at a time, you will have to increase the cooking time. Two apples, for example, should take 3-4 minutes.

1 medium baking apple (such as Granny Smith, McIntosh, etc.)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp chopped walnuts
1 tbsp raisins
Ground cinnamon
1 tbs olive oil

- Core the apple. This can be done with a sharp knife, an apple corer or a peeler.
- Peel the top half of the apple and make a few small slits with a knife on the lower half.
- Fill in the apple with the walnuts, raisins, butter and sugar. Sprinkle with a dusting of cinnamon to taste.
- Place covered in a microwave-safe container for 2-3 minutes.