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Cooking guide
Microwaves
Microwave energy actually penetrates food, attracted and absorbed by its water,
fat and sugar content. The microwaves cause the molecules in the food to move
rapidly. The rapid movement of these molecules creates friction and the resulting
heat cooks the food.
Cooking
Cookware for microwave cooking:
Cookware must allow microwave energy to pass through it for maximum
efficiency. Microwaves are reflected by metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium
and copper, but they can penetrate through ceramic, glass, porcelain and plastic as
well as paper and wood. So food must never be cooked in metal containers.
Food suitable for microwave cooking:
Many kinds of food are suitable for microwave cooking, including fresh or frozen
vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, grains, beans, fish, and meat. Sauces, custard, soups,
steamed puddings, preserves, and chutneys can also be cooked in a microwave
oven. Generally speaking, microwave cooking is ideal for any food that would
normally be prepared on a hob. Melting butter or chocolate, for example (see the
chapter with tips, techniques and hints).
Covering during cooking
To cover the food during cooking is very important, as the evaporated water rises
as steam and contributes to cooking process. Food can be covered in different
ways: e.g. with a ceramic plate, plastic cover or microwave suitable cling film.
Standing times
After cooking is over food the standing time is important to allow the temperature
to even out within the food.
Reheating liquids and food
Use the power levels and times in this table as a guide lines for reheating.
Food
Serving size
Power
Time (min.)
Drinks
(Coffee, Tea
and Water)
150 ml (1 cup)
250 ml (1 mug)
850 W
1-1½
1½-2
Instructions
Pour into cup and reheat uncovered. Put cup/ mug in the centre
of turntable. Keep in microwave oven during standing time and
stir well. Stand for 1-2 minutes.
Soup (Chilled)
250 g
850 W
3-3½
Instructions
Pour into a deep ceramic plate. Cover with plastic lid. Stir well
after reheating. Stir again before serving. Stand for 2-3 minutes.
Stew (Chilled)
350 g
600 W
5½-6½
Instructions
Put stew in a deep ceramic plate. Cover with plastic lid. Stir
occasionally during reheating and again before standing and
serving. Stand for 2-3 minutes.
Pasta with
Sauce
(Chilled)
350 g
600 W
4½-5½
Instructions
Put pasta (e.g. spaghetti or egg noodles) on a flat ceramic plate.
Cover with microwave cling film. Stir before serving. Stand for
3 minutes.
Filled Pasta
with Sauce
(Chilled)
350 g
600 W
5-6
Instructions
Put filled pasta (e.g. ravioli, tortellini) in a deep ceramic plate.
Cover with plastic lid. Stir occasionally during reheating and
again before standing and serving. Stand for 3 minutes.
Plated Meal
(Chilled)
350 g
600 W
5½-6½
Instructions
Plate a meal of 2-3 chilled components on a ceramic dish. Cover
with microwave cling-film. Stand for 3 minutes.
Pasta (Frozen)
(Cannelloni,
Macaroni,
Lasagne)
400 g
1 step : 450 W
2 step : 180 W
15-15½
2-3
Instructions
Put frozen pasta into a small flat rectangular glass pyrex dish.
Put the dish directly on the turntable. Stand for 2-3 minutes.
Cooking guide
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2017-11-29 6:35:56
