HOW TO COOK PASTA IN THE MICROWAVE RECIPES

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup of water into a microwaveable pot for short pasta like elbow and ziti. Pour 2 cups of water for long pasta like linguine and spaghetti.
• Cook in the microwave at full power until water boils (2:30 minutes for 1 cup and 5 minutes for 2).
• Add all the other ingredients except pasta. Stir.
• If adding short pasta, cook for 12 minutes at 350 watts (50% power if your microwave is 700 watt), until water is absorbed. Serve however you like it.
• If adding long pasta, the ends will stick out of the pot. Cook for 1 minute at full power. The pasta in the water will have softened, and you can then push the ends into the pot.
• Cook another minute at full power, then stir, making sure all the pasta is covered by water.
• Cook 6 to 8 minutes, depending on how wide the pasta is, at 350 watts until the pasta is done.
• Drain the water away and serve however you like it.
• To increase the recipe, add 1 cup water for each additional 2 oz of pasta. Cook the water until it boils, then follow the recipe above exactly, because all the other cooking times remain the same.

Steps:

• Wash the asparagus and break off and discard the tough bottom ends of the stalks.
• Put the asparagus and water in a microwave-safe dish, cover and cook on High for 3 minutes.
• If the asparagus still seems raw after you microwaved it, don't be tempted to microwave it more - it will continue cooking for several minutes on its own after you take it out. Asparagus should still be green and crispy after it's cooked, otherwise it will turn overcooked and mushy.
• Sprinkle cooked asparagus with salt and pepper to taste. You can also toss it in a little Italian dressing - it goes really well with asparagus!