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Food Characteristics
Bone and Fat
Both bone and fat affect cooking. Bones may cause
irregular cooking. Meat next to the tips of bones may
overcook while meat positioned under a large bone,
such as a ham bone, may be undercooked. Large
amounts of fat absorb microwave energy and the meat
next to these areas may overcook.
Density
Porous, airy foods such as breads, cakes or rolls take
less time to cook than heavy, dense foods such as
potatoes and roasts. When reheating donuts or other
foods with different centers be very careful. Certain
foods have centers made with sugar, water, or fat
and these centers attract microwaves (for example,
jelly donuts). When a jelly donut is heated, the jelly
can become extremely hot while the exterior remains
warm to the touch. This could result in a burn if the food is not allowed to
cool properly in the center.
Quantity
Two potatoes take longer to cook than one potato. As the
quantity of the food decreases so does the cooking time.
Overcooking will cause the moisture content in the food
to decrease and a fire could result. Never leave microwave
unattended while in use.
Shape
Uniform sizes heat more evenly. The thin end of a
drumstick will cook more quickly than the meaty end.
To compensate for irregular shapes, place thin parts
toward the center of the dish and thick pieces toward
the edge.
Size
Thin pieces cook more quickly than thick pieces.
Starting Temperature
Foods that are at room temperature take less time to cook than
if they are chilled, refrigerated or frozen.
Cooking Techniques
Piercing
Foods with skins or membranes must be pierced, scored or have a strip of
skin peeled before cooking to allow steam to escape. Pierce clams, oysters,
chicken livers, whole potatoes and whole vegetables. Whole apples or new
potatoes should have a 1-inch (2.5 cm) strip of skin peeled before cooking.
Score sausages and frankfurters. Do not Cook/Reheat whole eggs, with or
without the shell. Steam buildup in whole eggs may cause them to explode,
and possibly damage the oven or cause injury. Reheating SLICED hard-boiled
eggs and cooking SCRAMBLED eggs is safe.
Browning
Foods will not have the same brown appearance as conventionally cooked foods
or those foods which are cooked utilizing a browning feature. Meats and poultry
may be coated with browning sauce, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce or
shake-on browning sauce. To use, combine browning sauce with melted butter
or margarine and brush on before cooking. For quick breads or muffins, brown
sugar can be used in the recipe in place of granulated sugar, or the surface can be
sprinkled with dark spices before baking.
Spacing
Individual foods, such as baked potatoes, cupcakes and appetizers, will cook
more evenly if placed in the oven equal distances apart. When possible,
arrange foods in a circular pattern.
Covering
As with conventional cooking, moisture evaporates during microwave
cooking. Casserole lids or plastic wrap are used for a tighter seal. When using
plastic wrap, vent the plastic wrap by folding back part of the plastic wrap
from the edge of the dish to allow steam to escape. Loosen or remove plastic
wrap as recipe directs for standing time. When removing plastic wrap covers,
as well as any glass lids, be careful to remove them away from you to avoid
steam burns. Various degrees of moisture retention are also obtained by using
wax paper or paper towels.
Shielding
Thin areas of meat and poultry cook more quickly than meaty portions. To
prevent overcooking, these thin areas can be shielded with strips of aluminum
foil. Wooden toothpicks may be used to hold the foil in place.
CAUTION
is to be exercised when using foil. Arcing can occur if foil is too
close to oven wall or door and damage to your oven will result.
Cooking Time
Cooking times will vary because of food shape variations, starting
temperature, and regional preferences. Always cook food for the minimum
cooking time given in a recipe and check for doneness. If the food is
undercooked, continue cooking. It is easier to add time to an undercooked
product. Once the food is overcooked, nothing can be done.
Food Characteristics