18
Cooking Instructions
Cooking Techniques
Stirring
Stir foods such as casseroles and vegetables while cooking to distribute
heat evenly. Food at the outside of the dish absorbs more energy and
heats more quickly, so stir from the outside to the center. The oven will
turn off when you open the door to stir your food.
Arrangement
Arrange unevenly shaped foods, such as chicken pieces or chops, with
the thicker, meatier parts toward the outside of the turntable where they
receive more microwave energy. To prevent overcooking, place thin or
delicate parts toward the center of the turntable.
Shielding
Shield food with narrow strips of aluminum foil to prevent overcooking.
Areas that need shielding include poultry wing-tips, the ends of poultry
legs, and corners of square baking dishes. Use only small amounts of
aluminum foil. Larger amounts can damage your oven.
Turning
Turn foods over midway through cooking to expose all parts to
microwave energy. This is especially important with large items such as
roasts.
Standing
Foods cooked in the microwave build up internal heat and continue to
cook for a few minutes after the oven stops. Let foods stand to complete
cooking, especially foods such as roasts and whole vegetables. Roasts
need this time to complete cooking in the center without overcooking the
outer areas. All liquids, such as soup or hot chocolate, should be shaken
or stirred when cooking is complete. Let liquids stand a moment before
serving. When heating baby food, stir well and test the temperature
before serving.
Adding Moisture
Microwave energy is attracted to water molecules. Food that is uneven
in moisture content should be covered or allowed to stand so that the
heat disperses evenly. Add a small amount of water to dry food to help it
cook.
General Tips
•
Dense foods, such as potatoes, take longer to heat than lighter
foods. Foods with a delicate texture should be heated at a low power
level to avoid becoming tough.
•
Altitude and the type of cookware you are using can affect cooking
time. When using a new recipe, use the minimum cooking time and
check the food occasionally to prevent overcooking.
•
Foods with a non-porous skin or shell, such as potatoes, eggs, or hot
dogs, should be pierced to prevent bursting.
•
Frying with heating oil or fat is not recommended. Fat and oil can
suddenly boil over and cause severe burns.
•
Some ingredients heat faster than others. For example, the jelly
inside a jelly doughnut will be hotter than the dough. Keep this in
mind to avoid burns.
•
Home canning in the microwave oven is not recommended because
all harmful bacteria may not be destroyed by the microwave heating
process.
•
Although microwaves do not heat the cookware, the heat is often
transferred to the cookware. Always use pot holders when removing
food from the microwave and instruct children to do the same.
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