Reheating Liquids

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 (900W).

Food	Portion	Time	Standing	Instructions
		(min.)	Time (min.)
Broccoli	0.25kg	4½-5	3	Prepare even sized florets.
	0.5kg	7-8		Arrange the stems to the centre.

Brussels	0.25kg	6-6½	3	Add 60-75 ml (5-6 tbsp.) water.
Sprouts
Carrots	0.25kg	4½-5	3	Cut carrots into even sized slices.

Cauliflower	0.25kg	5-5½	3	Prepare even sized florets. Cut big
	0.5kg	7½-8½		florets into halves. Arrange stems
				to the centre.
Courgettes	0.25kg	4-4½	3	Cut courgettes into slices. Add 30
				ml (2 tbsp.) water or a knob of
				butter. Cook until just tender.

Egg Plants	0.25kg	3½-4	3	Cut egg plants into small slices
				and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon
				lemon juice.
Leeks	0.25kg	4-4½	3	Cut leeks into thick slices.

Mushrooms	0.12kg	1½-2	3	Prepare small whole or sliced
	0.12kg	2½-3		mushrooms. Do not add any
				water. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
				Spice with salt and pepper. Drain
				before serving.
Onions	0.25kg	5-5½	3	Cut onions into slices or halves.
				Add only 15 ml (1 tbsp.) water.

Pepper	0.25kg	4½-5	3	Cut pepper into small slices.
Potatoes	0.25kg	4-5	3	Weigh the peeled potatoes and cut
	0.5kg	7-8		them into similar sized halves or
				quarters.

Turnip Cabbage	0.25kg	5½-6	3	Cut turnip cabbage into small
				cubes.

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.