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 del-
icate 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 alu-
minum 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 cook-
ing, 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 serv-
ing. 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.
Venting
After covering dish with plastic wrap, you vent plastic wrap by turning back
one corner so excess steam can escape.
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 such as potatoes 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 from the
food often transferred to the cookware. Always use pot holders when
removing food from the microwave and instruct children to do the
same.
•
Making candy in the microwave is not recommended as candy can
heat to very high temperatures. Keep this in mind to avoid injury.
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