Reheating Liquids

Cooking Guide (continued)

Cooking Guide for fresh vegetables

Use a suitable 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 (900W).

Food	Portion	Time	Standing	Instructions
		(min.)	Time (min.)
Broccoli	250g	4½-5	3	Prepare even sized florets. Arrange
	500g	7-7½		the stems to the centre.

Brussels Sprouts	250g	6-6½	3	Add 60-75 ml (5-6 tbsp.) water.
	500g	9-9½
Carrots	250g	4½-5	3	Cut carrots into even sized slices.
	500g	8-8½

Cauliflower	250g	5-5½	3	Prepare even sized florets. Cut big
	500g	8½-9		florets into halves.
				Arrange stems to the centre.
Courgettes	250g	3-3½	3	Cut courgettes into slices.
	500g	7-7½		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
	500g	6-6½		sprinkle with 1 tablespoon lemon
				juice.
Leeks	250g	4-4½	3	Cut leeks into thick slices.
	500g	7½-8

Mushrooms	125g	1½-2	3	Prepare small whole or sliced
	250g	2½-3		mushrooms.
				Do not add any water. Sprinkle with
				lemon juice.
				Spice with salt and pepper.
				Drain before serving.
Onions	250g	5-5½	3	Cut onions into slices or halves.
	500g	8-8½		Add only 15 ml (1 tbsp.) water.

Pepper	250g	4½-5	3	Cut pepper into small slices.
	500g	7-8½
Potatoes	250g	4½-5	3	Weigh the peeled potatoes and cut
	500g	7½-8½		them into similar sized halves or
				quarters.

Turnip Cabbage	250g	5½-6	3	Cut turnip cabbage into small cubes.
	500g	8½-9

REHEATING

Your microwave oven will reheat food in a fraction of the time that conventional ovens and 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 900 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.

Always allow a standing time of at least 20 seconds after the oven has been switched off to allow the temperature to even out. Stir during heating, if necessary, and ALWAYS stir after heating. To prevent eruptive boiling and possible scalding, you should put a spoon or glass stick into the beverages and stir before, during and after heating.