
17
1. THE ARRANGEMENT
Arrange foods carefully. Place thickest areas toward
outside of dish.
2. TURNING
Foods such as poultry and joints of meat should be
turned over after half the cooking time.
3. COVERING
Cover foods in the microwave if you would normally cover
the food in your ordinary oven, or to retain moisture. Cover
foods such as Vegetables, Casseroles, or when Reheating.
4. PIERCING
Pierce potatoes, eggs, tomatoes or any foods with a
skin or membrane to allow steam to escape.
5. SHIELDING
Shield using small pieces of aluminium foil to shield
thin areas of meat, fish and poultry or edges of cakes
to prevent overcooking.
6. STANDING TIME
Standing time is important. After cooking or defrosting
ensure adequate standing time. This allows the food
to continue cooking or heating.
7. STIRRING
Stir foods from the outside to the centre of the dish,
once or twice during cooking if possible.
Eg. Casseroles and Sauces.
8. SIZE
Small pieces cook faster than large ones. To speed
cooking, cut pieces smaller than 5 cm so microwaves can
penetrate to the centre from all sides. For even cooking,
make all the pieces the same size.
9. DENSITY
The depth to which microwaves penetrate food varies
depending on the food's density. Porous foods like minced
beef or mashed potatoes microwave faster than dense
ones like steak or whole potatoes.
10. FAT AND BONE
Marbling within meat, or a thin, even layer of fat on a roast,
speeds cooking. Large fatty areas or excess drippings in
dish attract energy away from meat, and slows cooking.
Centre bones do not affect cooking, but bone on the side
of meat conducts heat to the areas next to it.
11. STARTING TEMPERATURE
Frozen or refrigerated foods take longer to heat than food
at room temperature. Cooking times in this book are based
on normal storage temperatures. Since rooms, refrigerators
and freezers differ in temperature, check cooking result at
the minimum time.
12. QUANTITY
Microwave cooking times are directly related to the amount
of food in the oven. Because energy is absorbed by the food
itself, one potato or a single piece of chicken cooks rapidly.
When the energy is divided among several items, cooking
takes more time.
13. CONDENSATION
Condensation is a normal part of microwave cooking.
The humidity and moisture in food will influence the
amount of condensation in the oven. Generally,
covered foods will not cause as much condensation
as uncovered foods. Ensure that the ventilation
openings are not blocked.
HELPFUL HINTS
COOKWARE AND UTENSIL GUIDE
GLASSWARE/
CERAMIC
(HEAT RESISTANT)
METAL COOKWARE
PLASTIC WRAP
OVEN BAGS
ALUMINIUM FOIL
STRAW AND WOOD
PAPER
PLASTIC COOKWARE
MICROWAVE SAFE
THERMOMETERS
•
MICROWAVE SAFE
•
CONVENTIONAL
GLASSWARE
•
Ordinary glass is not suitable for cooking but may be used for short periods for heating foods.
CERAMIC
•Most ovenproof china, and ceramics, are suited.
•Avoid dishes that are decorated with gold or silver leaf.
•Avoid using antique pottery.
•If unsure, check with the manufacturer.
•
Metal cookware should be avoided when cooking in the microwave oven.
•Microwave energy is reflected by metal.
•Plastic wrap can be used to cover food.
•
Some shrinkage of the wrap may occur, over an extended cooking time.
•When removing wrap, lift it in such a way to avoid steam burns.
•Do not tie oven bags with metal twist ties, substitute with string.
•
Small amounts may be used to shield certain parts of meat and fish when cooking or defrosting.
•
Remove food in foil trays, if possible, and place in a microwave safe dish.
•If not possible, place the foil tray onto a heat proof plate allowing 2.5 cm
room between the walls of the oven.
•
Excessive over heating of these materials may cause a fire in the microwave oven.
•
Paper towels and waxed paper are suitable to use to prevent splatters.
•
Ideal for low heat cooking, such as reheating or very short cooking times and
for foods with low fat, sugar or water content.
Pay special attention as over-heating may cause a fire in your oven.
• Ideal for cooking, reheating and defrosting.
Use Advice
Utensil
YES
NO
YES
FOR
SHIELDING
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
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