I have not tried microwaving but I'm going to experiment with these microwave directions I found at kitchenlink.com without the butter of course I bought a new steamer and I am trying to get use to it. I've always cooked on the stove-top before.
This is adapted from an article from Sunset Magazine, February, 1988 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lentils, Rice, or Polenta for One COOKING SOME GRAINS and legumes for a single serving is hardly practical the conventional way. You often end up making more than you need, and sometimes half ot it sticks to the cooking pan. But with a microwave oven, you can cook small amounts neatly with no leftovers. For a side dish, cook with water (or broth, for polenta), then serve plain or with butter. The rice and barley can also be served for breakfast with light cream, brown sugar and raisins or sliced bananas. MICROWAVE POLENTA FOR 1
Makes 1/2 cup, l serving 1 cup water or regular-strength chicken broth
1/4 cup polenta or yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Salt In a 1-quart glass measuring cup or bowl, stir together the water, polenta, and butter. Cook, uncovered, in a microwave oven at full power (100 percent), stirring once after 3 minutes, until polenta is tender and liquid is absorbed, 7 to 8 minutes. Spoon polenta onto plate and sprinkle with cheese and salt to taste. MICROWAVE RICE FOR 1
Makes 3/4 cup, 1 serving 1 or 1 1/4 cups water (see directions)
1/4 cup white or brown long-grain rice
Salt In a 1-quart glass measuring cup or bowl, stir together 1 cup water with white rice (use 1-1/4 cups with brown rice). Cook, uncovered, in a microwave oven at full power (100 percent) until most of the water evaporates, 10 to 11 minutes (20 minutes for brown rice). Cover with plastic wrap and continue cooking at half power (50 percent) until tender to bite, 2 to 5 minutes longer. Add salt to taste. MICROWAVE BARLEY FOR 1
Makes 3/4 cup, 1 serving 1/4 cup pearl barley
1 cup water
Salt Sort through barley and discard any debris. Rinse and drain. In a 1-quart glass measuring cup or bowl, stir together water and barley. Cook, uncovered, in a microwave oven at full power (100 per-cent) until mixture boils, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and cook at half power (50 percent) until barley is tender to bite, 18 to 20 minutes longer. Drain. Add salt to taste. MICROWAVE LENTILS FOR 1
Makes 3/4 cup, 1 serving 1/4 cup lentils
1 cup water
Salt Sort through lentils and discard any debris. Rinse and drain. In a 1-quart glass measuring cup or bowl, stir together water and lentils. Cook, uncovered, in a microwave oven at full power (100 percent) until mixture boils, 3 to 4 minutes. | 
