Microwave food doesn't have to be bland. Cooking for one or two doesn't have to be boring. This garlic soup recipe is delicious, but easy.

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 can beef broth
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp sage
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 slices Italian bread
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly ground

Directions

1. In a microwave bowl melt the butter at 70% power for 1 minute.
2. Add the onion and garlic. Cover and cook on full power for 15 minutes or until the onion is completely soft. Stir twice during the cooking cycle.
3. Toast the two pieces of bread.
4. Add the beef broth, water, sage, salt, pepper, and wine. Stir, cover, and cook on full power for 10 minutes, or until boiling.
5. Pour the soup into microwavable soup bowls, top with bread and sprinkle with the cheese.
6. Cook on 70% for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
7. Allow the soup to sit for 2 minutes before eating.

Note: For a lighter version of this soup use chicken broth.
Remember that microwave food keeps cooking for a few minutes after you remove it, so plan to let the food stand before eating.

When shopping for one or two people there are some staples that will make your life easier.

• Shredded cheese in a re-sealable bag
• Pre-chopped vegetables
• Bulk foods that you can buy as little or as much as you need (such as nuts, rice, etc.)
• Frozen vegetables in bags -- it’s easy to remove just the amount you’ll need
• Single-serving cans of tuna
• Single pieces of fresh fruit at various stages of ripeness. For example, buy a ripe
  banana to eat right away and a green banana that will ripen later
• Buy "family packs" of meat and repackage them into one or two pieces