Panasonic NN-ST667W, NN-ST677M Covering food minimizes the microwave cooking time, Browning

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Microwave Recipe Preparation and Techniques

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 Book Cook Operation Guide Table of Contents Important Instructions Read all instructions before using the microwave ovenEarthing Instructions Placement of Oven Installation and General InstructionsGeneral Use Food CircuitsCookware and Utensils Guide Microwaves and How They WorkPlastics Cookware and Utensil GuideJars and Bottles MetalFeature Diagram Control Panels Auto Cook Pads pg Timer Pad pg Clock Pad pg Beep SoundDisplay Window Time PadsLet’s Start To Use Your Oven To Set Clock To Use Child Safety LockEnter Time of Day Power Level Wattage Example of USE To Cook / Reheat / Defrost by Micro Power and TimeSet Cooking Time e.g minutes Defrosting is done on P3 Power NN-ST677M/ST667W Set WeightTo Defrost NN-ST677M/ST667WNN-ST657W/ST657SDefrosting Tips and Techniques Defrosting Chart by setting Micro Power at P3Preparation for Freezing Defrosting TechniqueNO. of Taps Display Recommended Food Weight Until the desired weight appears in the Display WindowFood Category Pad Serving / WeightTap Taps Food Category Recommended Weight Range To Cook Using Sensor Reheat/Cook NN-ST677M/ST667W SMore/Less Pad For best results, follow these recommendationsTo Use as a Kitchen Timer To Use TimerTo Set Delay Start To Set Standing TimeIndicate a problem with your oven Before Requesting ServiceThere is a problem with Plug another appliance into Outlet Before Cleaning Technical SpecificationsAfter Cleaning Should be Retained by the Customer AT ALL Times Panasonic WarrantyFeature How to Operate Quick Guide to Operation NN-ST657W/ST657S To Reheat usingTo Set Standing Time Set the desired Auto Cook Pads15-18 11-1419-24 25-30Key to Symbols Used In Recipes Food CharacteristicsMicrowave Recipe Preparation and Techniques Techniques for PreparationCovering food minimizes the microwave cooking time CoveringBrowning Standing TimeIncreasing & Decreasing Recipes Menu Planning for Microwave CookingCooking for One Converting Recipes from Other SourcesReheat General rules for reheating foods by Micro PowerReheating by Sensor Cook S 125 g 1.0 kg Reheating by Auto Cook Å 850 gReheating by Micro Power Frozen Pre-cooked Foods Volume Starting TemperatureLarge Volume Hint Soups and SnacksLaksa Ingredients SoupMethod Soup To serveCooking Fish and Shellfish using Micro Power Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro PowerFish or Shellfish Amount Power APPROX. Cooking Time Fish and ShellfishIngredients 2 tablespoons 2 1 Cooking Poultry Pieces by Micro power Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro powerCooking Poultry by Micro power PoultryPoultry and Eggs Cooking Eggs by Micro powerCooking Whole Chicken by Sensor Cook S Cooking Chicken Pieces by Sensor Cook SHint Honey Mustard Glaze Cooking Less-Tender Cuts of Meat by Micro power Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro powerCooking Meat by Micro power Meat Power APPROX. Cooking TimeGeneral Guide to Curries for Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cooking Curries by Sensor Cook / Auto CookTo Operate for Sensor Cook To Cook by Sensor Cook only for NN-ST677M Clove Garlic, minced 750 g Onion, slicedLeg of lamb Tablespoon RosemaryVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Time Cooking Fresh Vegetables by Micro powerVegetables and Legumes ApproxLegumes Cooking Frozen Vegetables by Micro powerVegetables 1.0 kgVegetables 500 g by Sensor Cook 370 g by Auto Cook Cooking Dried Beans and Peas using Micro powerPotatoes 1.0 kg by Sensor Cook 900 g by Auto Cook HOT WaterGreen onions, finely chopped Tomato, dicedTablespoons Sour cream Salt and pepper Prepare as above. Cover with plastic wrap250 g Brussels sprouts Tablespoon Butter 150 g Tablespoons Green curry paste Cups Sliced vegetables 440 gOnion, finely chopped Teaspoon Dill or basil SugarChickpea Salad with Coriander Dressing S Å Cooking Legumes by Sensor Cook and Auto Cook S ÅLentil Hot Pot S Å Coriander DressingRice, Pasta and Noodles Cooking Rice by Micro powerCooking Rice by Auto Cook Å Cooking Rice by Sensor Cook SPrepare as above. Press Rice, select 1.0 cup then Start Prepare as above. Press Rice, select 2.0 cups thenStick celery, sliced Green or red capsicumNoodles Rice, PastaCooking Risotto by Sensor Cook S General Quantities For Cooking RisottoRice PastaCook or Auto Cook APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Noodles Container Cooking Dried Noodles by Micro powerInstruction Boiling Water UncoveredCakes, Desserts and Slices Cooking Cakes by Micro powerVariations Only for NN-ST677M S Slices Cooking Fruit by Micro PowerTo Operate by Sensor Cook Select Fruit, then press Start Cooking apple peeled 250 g Mixed dried fruit 400 gCored and grated Makes 24 x 8 cm loaf tinJars and Bottles Sauces and ExtrasSterilizing Jars Ingredients 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons

NN-ST657S, NN-ST657 W, NN-ST667W, NN-ST677M specifications

The Panasonic NN-ST677M, NN-ST657W, NN-ST667W, and NN-ST657S are part of Panasonic's innovative lineup of microwave ovens, each designed to enhance cooking convenience while delivering superior performance. These models are distinguished by their advanced technologies, user-friendly features, and sleek designs, making them ideal for modern kitchens.

One of the standout features across these models is the inverter technology. Unlike traditional microwaves that use a power on/off mechanism to control cooking power, Panasonic's inverter technology provides a seamless flow of cooking power at all settings. This ensures that food is cooked evenly, preventing hot spots and overcooked edges. The inverter system is particularly effective for delicate tasks like defrosting and reheating, where consistent temperatures are crucial.

The NN-ST677M, for example, boasts a spacious 34-liter capacity, making it suitable for families and those who often cook in larger quantities. It features a sleek silver finish that complements any kitchen decor. This model is equipped with a variety of auto-cook programs, allowing users to prepare a wide array of meals with just a touch of a button.

The NN-ST657W and NN-ST667W are similarly designed, offering 25-liter capacities. These models provide multiple power levels, giving users the flexibility to customize cooking according to their specific needs. The stylish white and silver finishes of the NN-ST657W and NN-ST667W, respectively, make them attractive additions to any countertop.

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