Siemens HF36V305, HF36V306 manual Appetizers/Sauces/Soups, Meat

USING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN

APPETIZERS/SAUCES/SOUPS

Cooking Appetizers: Tips and Techniques

•Crisp crackers, such as melba toast, shredded wheat, and crisp rye crackers are best for microwave use. Wait until party time to add the spreads. Place a paper towel under the crackers while they cook in the microwave oven to absorb extra moisture.

•Arrange individual appetizers in a circle for even cook- ing.

•Stir dips to distribute heat and shorten cooking time.

Cooking Sauces: Tips and Techniques

•Use a microwavable casserole or glass measuring cup that is at least 2 or 3 times the volume of the sauce.

•Sauces made with cornstarch thicken more rapidly than those made with flour.

Cooking Soups: Tips and Techniques

•Cook soups in a microwavable dish which holds double the volume of the recipe ingredients to prevent boil- over, especially if you use cream or milk in the soup.

•Generally, cover microwaved soups with VENTED plas- tic wrap or a microwavable lid.

•Cover foods to retain moisture. Uncover foods to retain crispness.

•Avoid overcooking by using the minimum suggested time. Add more time, if necessary, only after checking the food.

MEAT

Not Recommended

•Appetizers with a crisp coating or puff pastry are best done in a conventional oven with dry heat.

•Breaded products can be warmed in the microwave oven but will not come out crisp.

•Cook sauces made with cornstarch or flour uncovered so you may stir them 2 or 3 times during cooking for a smooth consistency.

•To adapt a conventional sauce or gravy recipe, reduce the amount of liquid slightly.

•Stirring occasionally will help blend flavors, distribute heat evenly, and may even shorten the cooking time.

•When converting a conventional soup recipe to cook in the microwave, reduce the liquid, salt, and strong seasonings.

Cooking Meat: General Directions

•Prepare the meat for cooking:

-Defrost completely.

-Trim off excess fat to avoid splattering.

-Place the meat, fat side down, on a microwavable rack in a microwavable dish.

-Use oven cooking bag for less tender cuts of meat.

-Arrange the meat so that thicker portions are toward the outside of the dish.

-Cover the meat with waxed paper to prevent splattering.

•Tend the meat as it cooks.

-Drain juices as they accumulate to reduce splattering and keep from overcooking the bottom of the meat.

-Shield thin or bony portions with strips of foil to pre- vent overcooking.

NOTE:

Keep the foil at least 1 inch from the oven walls, and do not cover more than one-third of the meat with foil at any one time.

•Let the meat stand covered with foil 10-15 minutes after you remove it from the oven. The internal tem- perature of the meat may rise from 5-10°F during standing time.

The Meat Cooking Table on page 25 provides detailed directions, Power Level, and Cooking Time settings for most cuts of meat.

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