Panasonic NN-ST780S, NN-ST680S Covering food minimizes the microwave cooking time, Browning

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Microwave Recipe Preparation and Techniques

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Techniques for preparation

Covering

Covering food minimizes the microwave cooking time.

Because microwave cooking is done with time and not direct heat, the rate of evaporation cannot be easily controlled. However, this can be corrected by using different materials to cover dishes. Plastic wrap is the best substitute for a lid as it creates a tighter seal and so it retains more heat and steam. Wax paper and paper towels hold the heat in but not the steam. These materials also prevent splattering. Use a paper towel, wax paper or no cover when steam is not needed for tenderising.

Browning

Meats and poultry, when cooked longer than 10 to 15 minutes, will brown from their own fat. Foods cooked for shorter periods of time can be aided with the help of a browning sauce, worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Simply brush one of these sauces over meat or poultry before cooking. Baked goods do not need long cooking times and therefore, do not brown. When cakes or cupcakes are iced, no one will notice the visual difference. For cakes or cupcakes, brown sugar can be used in the recipe in place of caster sugar or the surface can be sprinkled with dark spices before baking.

Standing Time

The moisture molecules continue to vibrate in the food when the microwave oven has turned itself off. After all, the molecules were vibrating at 2,450,000,000 times per second during cooking. So cooking continues even after the food is no longer being exposed to the microwaves whether in or outside your microwave oven.

Standing time refers to the time it takes (after the microwave time is completed) to allow the interior of the food to finish cooking.

The amount of standing time varies with the size and density of the food. In meat cookery, the internal temperature will rise between 5°C and 10°C if allowed to stand covered for ten to fifteen minutes. Rice and vegetables need shorter standing time, but this time is necessary to allow foods to complete cooking in the centre without overcooking on the edges.

The power level used in microwave cooking also determines the standing time. For example, when using a lower power level the standing time is shorter because of a lower concentration of heat in the food. Foods should always be kept covered while standing in order to retain the heat. If a longer standing time is required (while you cook another food to serve with the first, for instance), cover with aluminum foil.

Converting Your Favourite Conventional Recipes for Microwave Cooking

When adapting conventional recipes for microwave cooking, time are reduced considerably.

For example, A chicken which takes 1 hour to cook in a moderate oven will take 15 to 20 minutes on P7 Power in your microwave oven.

Use similar microwave recipes to help you adapt conventional recipes. Remember, it is always best to undercook a recipe and then add an extra minute or two to finish it off.

Here are some other tips that may help:

•Reduce liquids in a conventional recipe by one

half to two thirds, e.g. 1cup (250 ml) should be reduced to 1⁄2 cup (125 ml).

•Add more thickening such as flour or cornflour to sauces and gravies if you do not reduce the liquid.

•Reduce seasonings slightly in a recipe where ingredients do not have time to simmer by microwave.

•Do not salt meats, poultry or vegetables before cooking; otherwise, they will toughen and dry out.

•If one ingredient takes longer to cook than the others, pre-cook it in the microwave oven first. Onion, celery and potato are examples.

•When cooking meat or vegetables, omit any oil or fat that would have been used in a conventional recipe for browning.

•Reduce leavening agents for cakes by one quarter and increase liquids by one quarter.

•Biscuits require a stiff dough. Increase flour by about 20 percent. Substitute brown sugar for white sugar and use biscuit recipes that have dark spices or require icing. Because of the short cooking time, biscuits don’t have time to brown. Chill dough for half an hour before baking. This produces a crisper biscuit. Bake biscuits on a glass tray lined with greaseproof paper.

•Since microwaves penetrate foods about two centimetres from the top, bottom and sides, mixtures in round shapes and rings cook more evenly. Corners receive more energy and may overcook.

•Items with a lot of water, such as rice and pasta, cook in about the same time as they would on a conventional stove. (Refer to Rice and Pasta chapter.)

Select recipes that convert easily to microwave cooking such as casseroles, stews, baked chicken, fish and vegetable dishes. The results from foods such as grilled meats, cooked souffles or two-crust pies could be less than satisfactory. Never attempt to deep fry in your microwave oven.

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Contents Operating Instruction and Cook Book Serial number of this product may be found on Frenchs Forest NSWFax Table of Contents Earthing Instructions Safety InstructionsImportant Instructions Circuits Installation and General InstructionsPlacement of Oven General UseCookware and Utensils Guide Microwaves and How They WorkStraw, Wicker and Wood PlasticsJars and Bottles MetalFeature Diagram Start Pad Control PanelOperation Guide in the Display Window Let’s Start To Use Your OvenEnter Time of Day To Use Child Safety LockTo Set Clock Press twiceSet Cooking Time To Cook / Reheat / Defrost by Micro Power and TimePower Level Wattage Example of USE To Defrost Set WeightDefrosting is done on P3 Power Set time according to chart on PressDefrosting Technique Defrosting Chart by setting Micro Power at P3Defrosting Tips and Techniques Preparation for FreezingMore/Less Pad Food Category Recommended Weight RangeRemaining time appears To Cook Using Sensor ReheatIf desired Detected by the SensorPress once Set desired Amount of delay time To Use TimerTo Use as a Kitchen Timer To Set Delay StartBefore Requesting Service Care of Your Oven Technical SpecificationsBefore Cleaning After CleaningShould be Retained by the Customer AT ALL Times Panasonic WarrantyQuick Guide to Operation Feature How to OperateTechniques for Preparation Food CharacteristicsMicrowave Recipe Preparation and Techniques Standing Time CoveringCovering food minimizes the microwave cooking time BrowningConverting Recipes from Other Sources Menu Planning for Microwave CookingIncreasing & Decreasing Recipes Cooking for OneTo Operate Press then Press Start General rules for reheating foods by Micro PowerReheat Reheating by Sensor Cook 125 g 1.0 kgReheating by Micro Power Frozen Pre-cooked Foods Large Volume Starting TemperatureVolume Hint Soups and SnacksTo serve Ingredients SoupLaksa Method SoupFish and Shellfish Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro PowerCooking Fish and Shellfish using Micro Power Fish or Shellfish Amount Power APPROX. Cooking TimeRashers Fresh mussels30 g Butter MakesPoultry Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro powerCooking Poultry Pieces by Micro power Cooking Poultry by Micro powerCooking Chicken Pieces by Sensor Cook Cooking Eggs by Micro powerMinimum weight 400g / Maximum weight 1.0 kg Poultry and EggsHint Honey Mustard Glaze Meat Power APPROX. Cooking Time Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro powerCooking Less-Tender Cuts of Meat by Micro power Cooking Meat by Micro powerTo Operate for Sensor Cook Cooking Curries by Sensor CookGeneral Guide to Curries for Sensor Cook ⁄4 cup Frozen peas Corned silverside Tablespoon Brown sugar White vinegarPeppercorns Cups WaterTablespoon Rosemary Onion, slicedClove Garlic, minced 750 g Leg of lambApprox Cooking Fresh Vegetables by Micro powerVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Time Vegetables and LegumesVegetables Cooking Frozen Vegetables by Micro powerVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Cooking Time LegumesPotatoes 1.0 kg by Sensor Cook Cooking Dried Beans and Peas using Micro powerVegetables 500 g by Sensor Cook Cut into pieces Tomato, dicedGreen onions, finely chopped Tablespoons Sour cream Salt and pepperIngredients To cook by Sensor Cook Coriander Dressing Cooking Legumes by Sensor CookChickpea Salad with Coriander Dressing Lentil Hot PotAPPROX. Time Amount To Cook Grain Standing Container TAP Cooking Rice by Micro powerRice, Pasta and Noodles Cooking Rice by Sensor CookGreen onions, chopped Stick celery, slicedGreen or red capsicum Cut in stripsGeneral Quantities For Cooking Risotto Rice, PastaNoodles Cooking Risotto by Sensor Cook SDried Pasta 125 g 500 g Cooking Pasta by Micro powerPasta Fresh Pasta 125 g 625 gCook Instruction Cooking Dried Noodles by Micro powerCooking Fresh Noodles By Sensor Cook 150 g 800 g APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Noodles ContainerVariations Cooking Cakes by Micro powerCakes, Desserts and Slices 100 g Butter Cup Sultanas Brown sugar Milk Egg, beaten Cups⁄2 cup Toasted coconut 70 g Butter, melted ⁄ 2 cup Brown sugar Teaspoon Cinnamon 60 g Butter800 g Apricot halves 340 g Cooking Fruit by Micro Power Makes 24 x 8 cm loaf tin 250 g Mixed dried fruit 400 gCooking apple peeled Cored and gratedSterilizing Jars Sauces and ExtrasJars and Bottles Ingredients 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons F00039U20QP IP0710-0

NN-ST780S, NN-ST680S specifications

The Panasonic NN-ST780S and NN-ST680S are two impressive models in the Panasonic microwave range, both designed to enhance cooking convenience and efficiency in modern kitchens. These models incorporate cutting-edge features and technologies that distinguish them in the crowded microwave market.

The NN-ST780S offers a powerful 1,250 watts of cooking power, ensuring quick and uniform cooking results. It comes with inverter technology, a hallmark feature of Panasonic microwaves. This technology allows for consistent cooking at lower power settings, unlike traditional microwaves that cycle on and off. This results in more evenly cooked dishes and prevents overcooking, especially for delicate foods like fish or custards.

Additionally, the NN-ST780S is equipped with a 2.2 cubic feet capacity, making it spacious enough for family-sized meals. Its sleek stainless steel design not only adds an aesthetic appeal but also enhances durability. Users will appreciate the easy-to-use control panel that features sensor cooking capabilities, allowing the microwave to automatically adjust cooking times for various foods, ensuring perfect results every time.

On the other hand, the NN-ST680S offers a slightly more compact design while still delivering a respectable 1,000 watts of power. This model also features inverter technology, perfect for users who need a balance of performance and space. With a 1.2 cubic feet capacity, it fits well in smaller kitchens without compromising on cooking versatility.

Both models come with various pre-programmed cooking options that make meal preparation a breeze. They include settings for popcorn, reheat, and defrost functions, catering to a wide array of cooking needs. The LED lighting ensures that users can easily monitor food as it cooks, while the ceramic enamel interior in both models allows for easy cleaning and prevents the absorption of odors.

In summary, the Panasonic NN-ST780S and NN-ST680S microwaves exemplify the blend of technology and design. With their powerful inverter technology, spacious capacities, and user-friendly features, they represent excellent choices for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen appliances. Whether you need quick meals or precise cooking, these microwaves deliver both efficiency and performance.
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