Covering:
Covering speeds cooking time, retains moisture, tenderizes, insures even cooking and prevents spattering.
Casserole lids or plastic wrap are used for a tighter seal. Vent plastic by turning back one edge at the side of dish to form a
narrow slot where excess steam can escape. Various degrees of moisture retention are also obtained by using
microwaveable
cover
Browning
caramelize and give a "browned" appearance. Browning agents do not affect the quality of microwaved foods, but can add
color and flavor. For meats and poultry, use sauce diluted with water or melted butter, soy, Worcestershire, barbecue or steak
sauce, a sprinkling of paprika or dry gravy mix; jelly glaze or crumb coating. Frosting and topping finish cakes and breads.
Top casseroles at the end of microwaving with grated cheese or crumbs.
Some Foods Do Not Microwave Well
Eggs in Shells
and hard boiled eggs can burst.
Pancakes
do not crust, but they reheat well. Fully-prepared, frozen pancakes are available for microwaving.
Deep Fat Frying
can cause burns.
Bottles
with narrow necks may shatter if heated.
Popcorn
only in special microwave poppers. Do not use oil unless specified by the manufacturer, or heat longer than
recommended. Never pop popcorn in paper bags or glass utensils or directly on the glass tray.
COOKING GUIDE (CONTINUED)
HOT SNACKS AND APPETIZERS
Hot hors d'oeuvres and appetizers can be prepared very quickly in the oven by the hostess, or individual servings may be
prepared by guests.
Many appetizers may be cooked on the serving platter, provided the platter does not have metal trim. A time saving tip -
prepare these foods ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze, and reheat in the oven at serving time. A plate of appetizers will
take only seconds to prepare or reheat.
Cheese melts very rapidly and will toughen if overcooked, so watch foods combined with cheese closely so that
overcooking will not occur. As soon as cheese starts to bubble, cooking is completed.
Appetizers that have a crisp pastry exterior are best prepared in a conventional oven.
To prepare appetizers wrapped in bacon, it will be necessary to precook the bacon and then wrap around the foods.
Oysters wrapped in bacon are easier to prepare in the broiler of your conventional range.
Seafood mixtures can be prepared in serving shells as microwave energy will pass through the seafood shells without
heating. Aluminum foil should not be used for shells.
If spreads are placed on crackers, care should be taken not to overcook as moisture from the food will cause crackers to
become soggy. Crackers used for spreads should be very dry and crisp. This helps avoid sogginess. Heat only until
spread is at serving temperature.
The time required to heat all appetizers will depend on the amount of food, and the number and the type of dish selected.
Remember the food will become very hot even if the dish is cool. Cheese mixtures retain heat longer when heated with
microwave energy.
20
: Microwave energy cooks some foods so quickly that the fats and sugars within the food do not have time to
