AEG MC1761E, MC1751E operating instructions Tips & advice

2. AG-21+22D-UK ENGLISH 03/02/2006 14:05 Page 8

Tips & advice

Time settings

In general the thawing, heating and cooking times are significantly shorter than when using a conventional cooker or oven. For this reason you should adhere to the recommended times given in this book. It is better to set the times too short, rather than too long. Test the food after it has been cooked. It is better to have to cook something for a little longer than to overcook it.

Initial temperatures

Thawing, heating and cooking times are dependent upon the initial temperature of the food. Deep-frozen food and food stored in a refrigerator, for example, requires longer than food which has been stored at room temperature.

For heating and cooking, normal storage temperatures are assumed (refrigerator temperature approx. 5°C, room temperature approx. 20°C). For thawing the temperature of the deep freeze is assumed to be - 18°C.

Cooking times

All the times given in this book are guidelines, which can be varied according to the initial temperature, weight and condition of the food (water or fat content etc.)

Salt, spices & herbs

Food cooked in your microwave retains its individual flavour better than it does when conventional preparation methods are used. For this reason you should use salt very sparingly and normally add it only after cooking. Salt absorbs liquid and dries out the outer layer of the food. Herbs and spices can be used as normal.

Addition of water

Vegetables and other foods with a high water content can be cooked in their own juice or with the addition of a little water. This ensures that many vitamins and minerals are preserved.

Food in skins or shells

Food such as sausages, chickens, chicken legs, baked potatoes, tomatoes, apples, egg yolks or such like should be pricked or pierced with a fork or small wooden skewer. This will enable the steam which forms to dissipate without splitting the skin or shell.

Large & small quantities

Microwave times are directly dependent upon the amount of food which you would like to thaw, heat or cook. This means that small portions cook more quickly than larger ones.

As a rule of thumb:

TWICE THE AMOUNT = ALMOST TWICE THE TIME HALF THE AMOUNT = HALF THE TIME

Deep & shallow containers

Both containers have the same capacity, but the cooking time is longer for the deeper one. You should therefore choose as flat a container as possible with a large surface area. Only use deep containers for dishes where there is a danger of overcooking, e.g. for noodles, rice, milk etc.

Round & oval containers

Food cooks more evenly in round or oval containers than in containers with corners, since the microwave energy concentrates in the corners and the food in these areas could become overcooked.

Covering

Covering the food retains the moisture within it and shortens the cooking time. Use a lid, microwave cling film or a cover. Foods which are to be crispy, e.g. roasts or chickens, should not be covered.

As a general rule, whatever would be covered in a conventional oven should also be covered in a microwave oven. Whatever would be uncovered in a conventional oven can also be left uncovered in a microwave oven.

Turning

Medium-sized items, such as hamburgers and steaks, should be turned over once during cooking, in order to shorten the cooking process. Large items, such as roasts and chickens, must be turned, since the upper side receives more microwave energy and could dry out if not turned.

Standing time

Keeping to the standing time is one of the most important rules with microwaves. Almost all foods, which are thawed, heated or cooked in the microwave, require a certain amount of time to stand, during which temperature equalisation takes place and the moisture in the food is evenly distributed.

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