TIME SETTINGS
In general the thawing, heating and cooking times are
significantly shorter than when using a conventional
cooker or oven. For this reason you should adhere to
the recommended times given in this cookery book.
It is better to set the times too short, rather than too
long. Test the food after it has been cooked. It is better
to have to cook something for a little longer than to
overcook it.
INITIAL TEMPERATURES
Thawing, heating and cooking times are dependent
upon the initial temperature of the food. Deep-frozen
food and food stored in a refrigerator, for example,
requires longer than food which has been stored at
room temperature. For heating and cooking, normal
storage temperatures are assumed (refrigerator
temperature approx. 5°C, room temperature approx.
20°C). For thawing the temperature of the deep freeze
is assumed to be - 18°C.
COOKING TIMES
All the times given in this cookery book are guidelines,
which can be varied according to the initial
temperature, weight and condition of the food (water
or fat content etc.).
SALT, SPICES AND HERBS
Food cooked in your microwave retains its individual
flavour better than it does when conventional
preparation methods are used. For this reason you
should use salt very sparingly and
normally add it only after cooking. Salt absorbs liquid
and dries out the outer layer of the food. Herbs and
spices can be used as normal.
ADDITION OF WATER
Vegetables and other foods with a high water content
can be cooked in their own juice or with the addition
of a little water. This ensures that many vitamins and
minerals are preserved.
FOOD IN SKINS OR SHELLS
Food such as sausages, chickens, chicken legs, baked
potatoes, tomatoes, apples, egg yolks or such like
should be pricked or pierced with a fork or small
wooden skewer. This will enable the
steam which forms to dissipate without splitting the skin
or shell.
LARGE AND SMALL QUANTITIES
Microwave times are directly dependent upon the
amount of food which you would like to thaw, heat or
cook. This means that small portions cook more quickly
than larger ones.
As a rule of thumb:
TWICE THE AMOUNT = ALMOST TWICE THE TIME
HALF THE AMOUNT = HALF THE TIME
DEEP AND SHALLOW CONTAINERS
Both containers have the same capacity, but the
cooking time is longer for the deeper one. You should
therefore choose as flat a container as possible with
a large surface area. Only use deep containers for
dishes where there is a danger of overcooking, e.g.
for noodles, rice, milk etc..
ROUND AND OVAL CONTAINERS
Food cooks more evenly in round or oval containers
than in containers with corners, since the microwave
energy concentrates in the corners and the food in
these areas could become overcooked.
COVERING
Covering the food retains the moisture within it and
shortens the cooking time. Use a lid, microwave foil or
a cover. Foods which are to be crispy, e.g. roasts or
chickens, should not be covered.
As a general rule, whatever would be covered in
a conventional oven should also be covered in a
microwave oven. Whatever would be uncovered in
an ordinary oven can also be left uncovered in a
microwave oven.
TURNING
Medium-sized items, such as hamburgers and steaks,
should be turned over once during cooking, in order
to shorten the cooking process. Large items, such as
roasts and chickens, must be turned, since the upper
side receives more microwave energy and could dry
out if not turned.
STANDING TIME
Keeping to the standing time is one of the most
important rules with microwaves. Almost all foods,
which are thawed, heated or cooked in the microwave,
require a certain amount of time to stand, during which
temperature equalisation takes place and the moisture
in the food is evenly distributed.
TIPS AND ADVICE
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