E-5
MICROWAVE COOKING TECHNIQUES
Arrange food carefully
Place thickest areas toward outside of dish.
Watch cooking time
Cook for the shortest amount of time indicated and add more time as
needed.
Food severely over-cooked can smoke or ignite.
Cover foods before cooking
Check recipe for suggestions: paper towels, microwave plastic wrap
or a lid.
Covers prevent spattering and help foods to cook evenly.
(Helps keep oven clean)
Shield foods
Use small pieces of aluminium foil to cover thin areas of meats or
poultry in order to avoid overcooking.
Stir foods
From outside to center of dish once or twice during cooking,
if possible
Turn foods
Foods such as chicken, hamburgers or steaks should be turned over
once during cooking.
Rearrange foods
Like meatballs halfway through cooking both from top to bottom and
from the center of the dish to the outside.
Allow standing time
After cooking ensure adequate standing time.
Remove food from oven and stir if possible.
Cover for standing time which allows the food to fi nish cooking without
overcooking.
Check for doneness
Look for signs indicating that cooking temperature has been reached.
Doneness signs include:
– Food steams throughout, not just at edge.
– Poultry thigh joints move easily.
– Pork and poultry show no pinkness.
– Fish is opaque and fl akes easily with a fork.
Condensation
A normal part of microwave cooking. The humidity and moisture
in food will infl uence the amount of moisture in the oven. Generally,
covered foods will not cause as much condensation as uncovered
foods. Ensure that the ventilation openings are not blocked.
Browning dish
When using a browning dish or self-heating material, always place a
heat-resistant insulator such as a porcelain plate under it to prevent
damage to the turntable, roller stay and coupling due to heat stress.
The preheating time specifi ed in the dish’s instructions must not be
exceeded.
Microwave safe plastic wrap
For cooking food with high fat content, do not bring the wrap in contact
with the food as it may melt.
Microwave safe plastic
cookware
Some microwave safe plastic cookware are not suitable for cooking
foods with high fat and sugar content.
