Thanksgiving feast microwave shortcuts

Steam your string beans. One pound of string beans, a few tablespoons of water, four to six minutes in the microwave. Tender-crisp beans!

Toast nuts. Pile nuts in a glass dish (not spread out) and microwave for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes until aromatic. Very important - don't forget to stir halfway through! 

Bake sweet potatoes. Prick four medium sweet potatoes with a fork and zap for 10-11 minutes. Perfect for recipes that don't require a crispy skin.