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COOKING TIPS
APPETIZERS/SAUCES/SOUPS
Cooking Appetizers: Tips and
Techniques
Recommended
• Crisp crackers, such as melba toast, shredded wheat
and crisp rye crackers are best for microwave use.
Wait until party time to add the spreads. Place a
paper towel under the crackers while they cook in
the microwave oven to absorb extra moisture.
• Arrange individual appetizers in a circle for even
cooking.
• Stir dips to distribute heat and shorten cooking time.
Cooking Sauces: Tips and Techniques
• Use a microwavable casserole or glass measuring
cup that is at least two or three times the volume of
the sauce.
• Sauces made with cornstarch thicken more rapidly
than those made with flour.
• Cook sauces made with cornstarch or flour uncovered
so you may stir them two or three times during cooking
for a smooth consistency.
• To adapt a conventional sauce or gravy recipe,
reduce the amount of liquid slightly.
Cooking Soups: Tips and Techniques
• Cook soups in a microwavable dish which holds
double the volume of the recipe ingredients to prevent
boil-over, especially if you use cream or milk in the
soup.
• Generally, cover microwaved soups with VENTED
plastic wrap or a microwavable lid.
• Cover foods to retain moisture. Uncover foods to
retain crispness.
• Avoid overcooking by using the minimum suggested
time. Add more time, if necessary, only after checking
the food.
• Stirring occasionally will help blend flavors, distribute
heat evenly, and may even shorten the cooking time.
• When converting a conventional soup recipe to cook
in the microwave, reduce the liquid, salt, and strong
seasonings.
Not Recommended
• Appetizers with a crisp coating or puff pastry are best
done in a conventional oven with dry heat.
• Breaded products can be warmed in the microwave
oven but will not come out crisp.
MEAT
Cooking Meat: General Directions
• Prepare the meat for cooking.
- Defrost completely.
- Trim off excess fat to avoid splattering.
- Place the meat, fat side down, on a microwavable
rack in a microwavable dish.
- Use oven cooking bag for less tender cuts of meat.
- Arrange the meat so that thicker portions are toward
the outside of the dish.
- Cover the meat with waxed paper to prevent
splattering.
• Tend the meat as it cooks.
- Drain juices as they accumulate to reduce
splattering and keep from overcooking the bottom of
the meat.
- Shield thin or bony portions with strips of foil to
prevent overcooking.
NOTE:
Keep the foil
at least 1 inch
from the oven
walls, and do not cover more than one-third of the meat
with foil at any one time.
• Let the meat stand covered with foil 10-15 minutes
after you remove it from the oven. The internal
temperature of the meat may rise from 5-10°F during
standing time.
The Meat Cooking Table on the next page provides
detailed directions, Power Level, and Cooking Time
settings for most cuts of meat.
Summary of Contents for LMH2235
Page 32: ...Printed in China ...
