Microwave

Accompanied by the Yogurt-Mint Dip, these fritters make a nice appetizer.

Arranging the apple slices in a flower petal formation may be work for the cook, but it sure provides luxurious eating for your lucky guests. This pie has an exceptionally crisp bottom crust under a juicy filling of caramelized, cinnamony apples made tangy and glistening with a gilding of apricot preserves. The border is a wreath of leaves cut from the pie crust.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave.

This recipe originally accompanied Sugar Snap Peas and Baby Carrots with Cauliflower-Leek Purée .

A festive and refreshing dessert.

Offer this Italian cornmeal side dish in place of potatoes or rice. It's best served immediately out of the oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

I’m always looking for ways to make interesting weeknight meals," says Sandy Stevens of Las Vegas, Nevada. "Since tamales are one of my teenagers' favorite foods, I came up with a new way to serve them. This casserole is a big hit with my whole family." The spicy casserole can also be made in a microwave: Cook on high until it's hot and bubbling, about 15 minutes; rotate the dish several times, if necessary.

Purée de Carottes et Pommes de Terre Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 hr

This is one of the few recipes that works better in a microwave than a conventional oven. The mild-flavored squash gets its name from the fact that the interior, when cooked, separates into a glorious golden tangle of long spaghetti-like strands. That intriguing texture goes well with a Moroccan-inspired combination of supermarket spices. The larger the spaghetti squash, the thicker and more flavorful the strands.

The trick to having a turkey ready in two hours is to use a hot oven and a small turkey. I learned this recipe originally from Julia Child, but I've changed it along the way. The turkey should be no more than 14 pounds. If the roasting pan is more than 2 inches larger than the turkey, the juices may burn. (If you use a larger pan, add a little broth to the pan as needed.) Always remove any bags or parts from the large and small cavities before cooking, and start with a clean oven to avoid excess smoking. Because I make my turkey broth months ahead of time and freeze it, I can use that for the bird and the gracious amount of gravy. After Thanksgiving, I make another broth or stock from the turkey bones, leftover skin, and parts. I even add any leftover gravy, and freeze that whole stock for yet another turkey.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.