Panasonic NN-SD786S manual Microwave Recipe Preparation and Techniques, Food Characteristics

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Microwaves penetrate the surface of the food to a depth of about two to three centimetres and then the heat is gradually conducted in a random pattern. Some parts of food matter cook faster than others. Special microwave techniques are used to promote

fast and even cooking. Some of these techniques are similar to those used in conventional cooking, but because microwaves produce heat very quickly these following techniques are extremely important. It’s a must for you to be familiar with the following tips.

Food Characteristics

Size and Quantity

Small portions cook faster than large portions. As you increase the quantity of food you put into the microwave oven, you must also increase your cooking time. The microwave oven has the same power regardless of quantity; thus the power is divided between more items and so it takes longer to cook.

As a general guide, if you double the quantity of food suggested in the recipe, add half the time suggested again.

Liquid Content

Low moisture foods take a shorter time to cook than foods with a lot of moisture.

Shape

Uniform sizes cook more evenly. To compensate for irregular shapes, place thin pieces towards the centre of the dish and thicker pieces towards the outer edge of the dish.

Bone and Fat

Bones conduct heat and cause the meat next to them to be heated more quickly. Large amounts of fat absorb microwave energy and the meat next to these areas may overcook.

Starting Temperature

Food which has been sitting at room temperature takes less time to cook than refrigerated or frozen food.

Density and Composition

Porous, airy foods (cakes and breads) take less time to cook than heavy compacted foods (meat and vegetables). Recipes high in fat and sugar content cook more quickly.

Key to Symbols Used in Recipes

Recipes displaying these symbols may be cooked using these features.

•(S) Sensor Cook / for NN-SD786S/ST786W

•Å Auto Cook / only for NN-ST756W

• Recipe Prompting / for NN-SD786S/NN-ST786W

Techniques for Preparation

Timing

A range of cooking times is given in each recipe for two reasons. First, to allow for the uncontrollable differences in food shapes, starting temperatures and personal preferences. Secondly, these allow for the differences in electrical voltage input which changes during peak load periods. Always remember that it is easier to add time to undercooked food. Once the food is overcooked, nothing can be done. For each recipe, an approximate cooking time is given.

Stirring

Stirring is often necessary during microwave cooking. We have noted when stirring is helpful in the recipes. Always bring the outside edges towards the centre and the centre portions to the outside.

Rearranging or Turning

Some foods should be turned in the container during cooking. For example, because of the different thicknesses in the breast and back sections of poultry, it is a good idea to turn poultry over once to ensure more even cooking. Rearranging or turning over uneven shaped food in the dish should be done as suggested to ensure a satisfactory result. Rearrange small items such as chicken pieces, prawns, hamburger patties, steak or chops. Rearrange pieces from the centre to the edge of the dish.

Cooking in Layers

This microwave oven is not designed to cook more than 1 layer of food. Cooking in 2 layers may not always be successful, it takes longer and may be uneven. You can successfully reheat two dinner plates of food at one time but remember to increase the reheating time and use a microwave warming rack.

Piercing of Foods

Pierce the skin or membrane of foods when cooked whole in the microwave oven. This allows steam to escape. If the skin has not been pierced, food may burst.

Cured Meats

Cured meats may overcook in some areas due to the high concentration of salts used in the curing process. So take care when cooking different brands of bacon as cooking times may vary slightly.

Microwave Recipe Preparation and Techniques

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Contents Operation Guide Important Instructions Safety!!!!! InstructionsRead all instructions before using the microwave oven Earthing InstructionsGeneral Use Installation!!!!! ! and General InstructionsPlacement of Oven FoodMicrowaves!!!!! and How They Work Cookware and Utensils GuideJars and Bottles Cookware!!!!! and Utensil GuidePlastics MetalFeature!!!!! Diagram Oven!!!!!Components! Diagram Word Prompters Control!!!!! PanelStart Pad Let’s!!!!!Start To Use Your Oven Operation Guide in the Display WindowSet Cooking Time e.g minutes Micro PowerPower Level Wattage Example of USE For more than one stage cookingTo!!Set!!! Clock To Use Child Safety LockTo cancel Set Time of DayTo Set Delay Start To!!Use!!! Timer PadTo Use as a Kitchen Timer To Set Standing TimeTo!!Defrost Set WeightDefrost power level,page Preparation for Freezing Defrosting Chart by setting Micro Power at P3Defrosting!!!!! Tips and Techniques Defrosting TechniqueMore/Less Pad Select CategorySensor Cook Rice or Noodles Sensor Menu DialDisplay Window and begins to count down Sensor!!!!! ReheatIf desired, press More / Less Pad To!!Use!!!Quick! Minute Pad Dial!!!Features Time ChoiceTo Use Recipe Prompting To!!Use!!! Recipe PromptingPress Rotate To!!Use!!! Recipe! Prompting Recipe Cook BookPressed 3 times Before!!!!! Requesting! ServiceDeactivated mode by pressing After Cleaning Technical SpecificationsBefore Cleaning Care!!!!!of Your! Oven Warranty Panasonic!!!!! !! TechnicsFeature How to Operate Quick!!!!!Guide! to OperationTo Use Quick Minute Pad To Cook usingTo Reheat using Pads Sensor Reheat Sensor Cook Pads STechniques for Preparation Food CharacteristicsMicrowave Recipe Preparation and Techniques Browning CoveringCovering food minimizes the microwave cooking time Standing TimeCooking for One Menu Planning for Microwave CookingIncreasing & Decreasing Recipes Converting Recipes from Other SourcesTo Operate Press then Press Start General rules for reheating foods by Micro PowerReheating by Sensor Cook S 125 g 1.0 kg Reheating by Micro Power Frozen Pre-cooked Foods ReheatLarge Volume Starting TemperatureVolume Ingredients Soups and SnacksHints MethodLaksa TipIngredients Soup Method SoupTomato pesto HintFilling Corn & bacon Fish and Shellfish Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro PowerFish or Shellfish Amount Power APPROX. Cooking Time Directions for cooking fish by Sensor S / Auto Cook Å40 g Butter Onion, diced ⁄4 cup Flour Tablespoon BouillabaisseNoise ⁄2 teaspoon Pepper Prepared mustard 11⁄2 cups Milk 440 gTo cook by Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cooking Poultry by Micro power Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro powerCooking Poultry Pieces by Micro power PoultryCooking Whole Chicken by Sensor Cook S Cooking Eggs by Micro PowerPoultry and Eggs Cooking Chicken Pieces by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook ÅIngredients 500 g Honey Mustard Glaze Spicy Chicken Curry Cooked BBQ chickenCup Chicken stock ⁄4 cup Coconut cream Cooking meat by Micro power Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro powerCooking Less-Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro power Meat Power APPROX. Cooking TimeTo Operate for Auto Cook to Curries Cooking Curries by Sensor Cook S Auto Cook Å 250 g 750 gGeneral Guide to Curries For Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cooking Casseroles by Sensor Cook To Operate by Sensor CookMethod Meat Sauce Ingredients Meat Sauce 500 gCheese Sauce Combined. Cook on P7 for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring 500 g Teaspoon 425 g CupBeef stock cube 200 g Sliced mushrooms ⁄3 cup Sour cream On P7 for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir through sour creamVegetables and Legumes Cooking Fresh Vegetables by Micro powerVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Time ApproxLegumes Cooking Frozen Vegetables by Micro PowerVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Cooking Time VegetablesChickpea Salad with Coriander Dressing S Å Cooking Dried Beans and Peas by Micro powerCooking Legumes by Sensor Cook S Auto Cook Å Lentil Hot Pot S750 g Peeled and sliced potatoes 250 ml Cream ⁄4 cup Milk Bacon rashers, chopped ⁄2 cup Grated cheeseTablespoon Butter 125 g Ham, finely chopped Salt and pepper Ardennis Style Potatoes500 g Cabbage, shredded Tablespoons Water Green onions, finely choppedTeaspoon Dill or basil Sugar Tablespoons Butter Salt and pepper250 g Brussels sprouts Tablespoons Butter 150 g Tomato, dicedCooking Rice by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook Å Cooking Rice by Micro powerRice, Pasta and Noodles APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Rice Standing TAPPasta Noodles Cooking Pasta by Micro powerRice, Pasta Fresh Pasta 250 g 625 gTo cook by Sensor Cook/ Auto Cook 250 g Penne Cups Boiling water ⁄2 cupPrepare Pasta as above. Refer to Pasta directions on Cooking Fresh Noodles by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook Å Cooking Dried Noodles by Micro powerPasta and Noodles APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Noodles Container BoilingTo cook Noodles by Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cakes, Desserts and Slices Cooking Desserts by Sensor Cook S11⁄3 cups Milk 300 ml Cream Brown sugar ⁄3 cup Sultanas ⁄4 cup Rum 70 gSlices fruit loaf Variations 100 g Butter Cup Sultanas Brown sugar Milk Egg, beaten CupsIcing 300 g Dark chocolate 400 g Through Christmas PuddingMakes 24 x 8 cm loaf tin 250 g Mixed dried fruit 440 gTopping To prepare toppingSlices Cooking Fruit by Micro PowerCakes Jars and Bottles PrecautionsPreserving Sterilizing JarsSauces Heat on P10 for 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk and sugar Cup Water To 2 teaspoons Instant coffeePour water into a heatproof cup. Add coffee. Stir If desired. Stir
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