(Almost) Homemade Dinners You Can Make in the Microwave

Fish is a good candidate for the microwave because it's relatively thin and cooks quickly. First, lay a rinsed, patted-dry salmon fillet (8 to 10 ounces), skin down, in a glass bowl and season with salt and pepper. Spread a mixture of mayonnaise spiked with a few shakes of Tabasco (the brand's Garlic Pepper Sauce complements proteins well) over the fish, and lay a few thin slices of lime on top. Cover and cook, checking for doneness after 3 1/2 minutes. If the fish flakes apart when you pull at it with a fork, it's ready. If not, keep cooking for 30 to 60 seconds longer.