The humble microwave is the oft-maligned workhorse of the kitchen, but you may be surprised at how many ways it can be used ...

Step 1: Fill a ramekin with a half-cup of salted, room-temperature water. It must be enough to submerge the egg. You'll want enough water to submerge the egg but not spill over the top of the ramekin.

The microwave is the ultimate tool for speed, but that convenience comes with a catch: not all foods are created equal when exposed to rapid, uneven heating. For certain dishes, microwaving can do ...