Reheating Liquids, Arranging and covering

Cooking Guide (continued)

Cooking Guide for fresh vegetables

Use a suitable glass pyrex bowl with lid. Add 30-45 ml cold water (2-3 tbsp.) for every 250 g unless another water quantity is recommended - see table. Cook covered for the minimum time - see table. Continue cooking to get the result you prefer. Stir once during and once after cooking. Add salt, herbs or butter after cooking. Cover during a standing time of 3 minutes.

Hint:	Cut the fresh vegetables into even sized pieces. The smaller they
	are cut, the quicker they will cook.

All fresh vegetables should be cooked using full microwave power (850 W).

Food	Portion	Time	Standing	Instructions
		(min.)	Time (min.)
Broccoli	250g	4-4½	3	Prepare even sized florets.
	500g	8-8½		Arrange the stems to the centre.

Brussels	250g	5½-6½	3	Add 60-75 ml (5-6 tbsp.) water.
Sprouts
Carrots	250g	4½-5	3	Cut carrots into even sized
				slices.

Cauliflower	250g	5-5½	3	Prepare even sized florets. Cut
	500g	8½-9		big florets into halves. Arrange
				stems to the centre.
Courgettes	250g	3½-4	3	Cut courgettes into slices. Add
				30 ml (2 tbsp.) water or a knob of
				butter. Cook until just tender.

Egg Plants	250g	3½-4	3	Cut egg plants into small slices
				and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon
				lemon juice.
Leeks	250g	4½-5	3	Cut leeks into thick slices.

Mushrooms	125g	1½-2	3	Prepare small whole or sliced
	250g	3-3½		mushrooms. Do not add any
				water. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
				Spice with salt and pepper. Drain
				before serving.
Onions	250g	5½-6	3	Cut onions into slices or halves.
				Add only 15 ml (1 tbsp.) water.

Pepper	250g	4½-5	3	Cut pepper into small slices.
Potatoes	250g	4-5	3	Weigh the peeled potatoes and
	500g	7½-8½		cut them into similar sized halves
				or quarters.

Turnip	250g	5-5½	3	Cut turnip cabbage into small
Cabbage				cubes.

REHEATING

Your microwave oven will reheat food in a fraction of the time that conventional ovens hobs normally take.

Use the power levels and reheating times in the following chart as a guide. The times in the chart consider liquids with a room temperature of about +18 to +20°C or a chilled food with a temperature of about +5 to +7°C.

Arranging and covering

Avoid reheating large items such as joint of meat - they tend to overcook and dry out before the centre is piping hot. Reheating small pieces will be more successful.

Power levels and stirring

Some foods can be reheated using 850 W power while others should be reheated using 600 W, 450 W or even 300 W.

Check the tables for guidance. In general, it is better to reheat food using a lower power level, if the food is delicate, in large quantities, or if it is likely to heat up very quickly (mince pies, for example).

Stir well or turn food over during reheating for best results. When possible, stir again before serving.

Take particular care when heating liquids and baby foods. To prevent eruptive boiling of liquids and possible scalding , stir before, during and after heating. Keep them in the microwave oven during standing time. We recommend putting a plastic spoon or glass stick into the liquids. Avoid overheating (and therefore spoiling) the food.

It is preferable to underestimate cooking time and add extra heating time, if necessary.

Heating and standing times

When reheating food for the first time, it is helpful to make a note of the time taken - for future reference.

Always make sure that the reheated food is piping hot throughout.

Allow food to stand for a short time after reheating - to let the temperature even out.

The recommended standing time after reheating is 2-4 minutes, unless another time is recommended in the chart.

Take particular care when heating liquids and baby food. See also the chapter with the safety precautions.