When you want one cookie instead of a dozen, knowing how to knock one up in the microwave is handy. Mix butter, sugar, vanilla and an egg yolk, then add flour and salt to make a smooth paste. Throw in chocolate chips and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
There's simply no end to the mug cake variations you can make in your microwave. Start with a classic chocolate and coffee one and experiment from there. The best bit? There are no dishes to clean up and the cake takes just minutes to make.
Rustle up a hot sticky pudding in a matter of minutes. This indulgent treat combines nutty chocolate spread, citrusy marmalade and basic store cupboard ingredients – oil, milk, egg, sugar and flour. We highly recommend you top with more chocolate spread or sauce to serve.
You can also try poaching eggs in the microwave. Simply fill a mug or small bowl with boiling water, add a little salt and vinegar, then crack in an egg. Heat for about 60 seconds on high and you should end up with a runny yolk.
This quick dessert fix only requires four ingredients, plus a little melting and mixing. To make, first melt dark chocolate. Set aside then warm yogurt in a non-metallic bowl for 10 seconds – this will ensure the chocolate doesn't seize when added. Combine the yogurt with agave nectar, and fold in the chocolate and a sprinkling of roasted hazelnuts.
Crumbles don't have to bubble away in the oven for nearly an hour. This toffee apple mug crumble with pecan nuts takes just four minutes to cook – and only requires six ingredients.
Sticky, glutinous rice works in both savoury and sweet dishes – it's delicious with everything from steamed fish to fresh mango. And it's surprisingly easy to cook in a microwave. The trick is to let it soak in water for around an hour before microwaving on high for 10 minutes.
The most decadent hot chocolate recipe is simply to pour hot milk over pieces of good-quality dark chocolate, whisking until they've dissolved. There's no need to do this on the stove. Heat the milk in a microwave on high for one to two minutes, carefully watching to ensure it doesn't boil over. Add marshmallows to serve or add a Mexican-inspired twist and stir in a pinch of cinnamon.
Polenta – the coarsely ground yellow cornmeal that's a component of so many great Italian dishes – is surprisingly easy to cook in a microwave. Combine your ingredients (usually just polenta, water and salt) in a microwaveable bowl and heat on high for five minutes, stopping midway to mix. If you want to add extra richness, stir in a sprinkling of Parmesan and a teaspoon of butter just before it's finished cooking.
Cooking root vegetables in the microwave will never rival roasting them, but it can be a handy trick if you're in a rush. Follow the same method as for green vegetables and allow for longer cooking times – around six to seven minutes for butternut squash. Once cooked, pep them up with fresh herbs or try transforming them into a buttery mash.
Check out our best-ever food hacks that'll have you cooking like a pro here
Perfect flaky salmon in the microwave is easier than you might think. The simplest method is to brush the fish with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and cook skin-side-down on high (a single salmon fillet takes around three to four minutes). To add more flavour, try topping the salmon with minced garlic or shredded ginger, or marinate it briefly in lime or lemon juice before cooking.
The idea of cooking risotto in the microwave might send Italian chefs running for the hills, but there's no harm in trying it at home. Simple vegetarian versions work best. For four people, follow the same quantities as your favourite stovetop recipe. Start by heating the rice and two-thirds of the stock, covered, on high for 10 minutes, stopping to stir at least once. Then add the rest of the stock and cook for a further five minutes. Stir in any other ingredients, such as green vegetables and mushrooms, for the final three minutes of cooking. You can add butter, herbs, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste before you serve.
Full disclosure: you won't get potatoes that are perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle just by cooking them in a microwave. But you can use one to save time. Firstly, pierce the potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer to a preheated hot oven to crisp up the skin for 10 to 20 minutes.
You can try the same method for sweet potatoes, which tend to fare slightly better cooked completely in the microwave. One sweet potato will take around five minutes on full power. You can eat them straight away – slathered in butter or topped with sour cream and chives – or pop them in a hot oven for around 10 minutes to get crispy skin.
Opt for a no-bake cheesecake and you've already saved yourself time. Use your microwave to speed up the process (such as softening butter or melting chocolate for a drizzle) and you can have a dessert ready in a flash.
The classic base for chocolate truffles is a ganache: melted butter and warm cream poured over chocolate until it melts. You can easily use a microwave for this method, being careful not to boil the cream.
Fridge cake might be a childhood treat, but there's no reason you can't make an adult version. A dash of liqueur adds a grown-up twist. Skip the bain marie (melting in a bowl sitting above simmering water) and make it in a microwave. Blast for a couple of minutes on medium power, checking regularly to ensure the chocolate isn't burning.
Get the recipe for Grand Marnier, cranberry and chocolate fridge cake here
If you love savoury apple sauce with roasted meats or sweet apple sauce with desserts, don't buy it ready-made, make your own instead. Combine diced apples with water (and sugar and cinnamon if you wish), and cook on high until the apples are tender and easily mashed.
Mac 'n' cheese is the ultimate indulgent supper and this rich and silky version doesn’t require an oven. It takes 10 minutes in the microwave and needs only four ingredients: macaroni, butter, yeast extract spread (like Marmite) and hard strong cheese.