One-minute warm BLT bread salad

If it’s self-respect you’re after, this recipe is not for you. But if you’re curious about what can be accomplished in one minute in a Science Machine…

1. Tear a wodge of bread into chunks into a bowl.
2. Tear up and add a few strips of pre-cooked, refrigerated microwaveable bacon. For best flavour transfer results, ensure that the bacon is evenly distributed and is touching as much of the bread as possible.
3. Microwave for 30 seconds. The fat from the bacon should begin to get on the bread and start to crisp it up. After the first 30 seconds, stir to ensure the bread is evenly coated in the bacon grease. Microwave for another 30 seconds, or until all the bacon fat is rendered and the bread chunks are crunchy and almost crouton-like.
4. Add a generous handful of butter lettuce, arugula, or any other salad greens to the warm bowl. Stir slightly to coat the leaves in the remaining bacon fat. (If you like the greens just slightly wilted, pop back into the microwave for ~15 seconds more.)
5. Finally, mix in your tomato element in the form of cherry or grape tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, salsa, or even a bit of tomato paste.
6. Finish with pepper and perhaps the tiniest pinch of salt if necessary.

Minimalest nicoise

A tuna nicoise with earthier flavours and thus fewer (just four!) ingredients, based on this recipe.

1. Preheat oven to 450F.
2. Wash and cube redskin potatoes. Toss quite generously with olive oil and salt, and roast for ~8 mins.
3. Wash and dry grape tomatoes. Add them to the pan with the potatoes, toss to make sure the potatoes aren’t sticking, and roast for another 6-8 mins.
4. Meanwhile, open a can of good quality tuna in olive oil, and a bag of arugula, baby spinach, or other salad leaves. When the potatoes and tomatoes are done, scoop them into your serving bowl. Toss the salad leaves in the tray to dress them in the remaining olive oil and juices; they’ll also wilt slightly in the remaining heat.
5. Combine all ingredients and serve. Optional: add pitted kalamata olives and/or a 7-minute egg; serve with crusty bread.