Microwave Epiphanies

Not Your Mother's Microwave Cookbook has turned out to be a gem for me. Here are some of the ideas I hadn't heard before:

• Toast nuts on a paper plate or doubled paper towels on HIGH for about 2 and a half minutes per 1/2 cup of nuts, stirring every 45 seconds.
• Toast 1 cup of coconut, sweetened or not, on a paper plate or glass pie plate on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute.
• Peel up to 6 fresh tomatoes in a ring on a double layer of paper towels by cooking on HIGH for 15 seconds, let stand for 10-15 minutes, then peel. Love this one!
• Peel up to 4 fresh peaches with 1/2 cup hot water in a 2-quart microwaveable bowl, covered with a lid or plastic wrap with a few holes in it. Cook on HIGH for 60-90 seconds, let stand for 5-10 minutes, drain and peel.
• Ripen an avocado or banana (for cooking only) by placing on a paper towel and pricking the skin once or twice. Cook on DEFROST for 2 minutes, turn over and cook on DEFROST for 30-60 seconds more.
• Peel up to 4 green chiles or 2 bell peppers by rubbing all over lightly with oil, placing them on a microwave plate and piercing a few places on each side. Cover with wax paper and cook on HIGH: 3 minutes for chiles; 2 minutes for peppers. Turn over and cook on HIGH for 1-2 minutes more. Wrap in damp kitchen towel for 10 minutes and rub off the skins.

What else is there about microwaves that I don't know? Let's hear.