I used to have a collection of microwave cookbooks from the seventies and eighties -- mostly inherited from my aunt who passed them down to me when she was downsizing her house -- and they are, honestly, fascinating. A lot of foods suggested, that, as you say, have no business being cooked in the microwave. What I liked best was the food styling, which was wild and not always edible-looking.

Your pilaf sounds great! Really convenient.