Panasonic NN-T704, NN-S784 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 / except NN-S754

•Å Auto Cook / only for NN-S754

• Recipe Prompting / only for NN-S754 / S784 / T774

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 Book Cook Operation Guide Table of Contents Safety Instructions Read all instructions before using the microwave ovenImportant Instructions Earthing InstructionsInstallation and General Instructions Placement of OvenGeneral Use Food CircuitsMicrowaves and How They Work Cookware and Utensils GuideCookware and Utensil Guide PlasticsJars and Bottles MetalFeature Diagram Control Panels Auto Cook Pad pg Timer Pad pg Clock Pad pg Serving / Weight Pad pgNN-T774 NN-S754 Sensor Cook Pads pg More/Less Pad pgLet’s Start To Use Your Oven Operation Guide in the Display WindowPower Level Wattage Example of USE Set Cooking Time e.g minutesTo Set Clock To Use Child Safety LockEnter Time of Day To Use Timer Pad To Use as a Kitchen TimerTo Set Delay Start To Set Standing TimeSet Weight To DefrostNN-T774 NN-S784 / S754 NN-T794 / T784 / T704Defrosting Chart by setting Micro Power at P3 Defrosting Tips and TechniquesPreparation for Freezing Defrosting TechniqueSensor Cook To CookhUsing Sensor Cook except NN-S754 SMore/Less Pad NN-T774 / S784 Sensor Reheat except NN-S754NN-T794 / T784 / T704 Press Until the desired weight appears in the Display Window NO. of Taps Display Recommended Food WeightPress Desired Serving / Weight Pad Serving / WeightPress Auto Cook Pad Pad Food CategoryTo Use Recipe Prompting NN-T774 / S784 NN-S754By one tap Next instruction will start scrolling by two tapsTo Use Recipeh Prompting except NN-T794 / T784 / T704 Recipe Cook BookBefore Requesting Service These Things are NormalTechnical Specifications Before CleaningAfter Cleaning Care hof Your OvenWarranty Panasonic TechnicsFeature How to Operate Quick Guide to OperationFor NN-T794 / T784 / T704 For NN-S784 / T794 / T784 / T774 / T70410-12 13-1718-22 23-28Microwave Recipe Preparation and Techniques Food CharacteristicsTechniques for Preparation Covering Covering food minimizes the microwave cooking timeBrowning Standing TimeMenu Planning for Microwave Cooking Increasing & Decreasing RecipesCooking for One Converting Recipes from Other SourcesGeneral rules for reheating foods by Micro Power Reheating by Sensor Cook S 125 g 1.0 kgReheating by Auto Cook Å 850 kg To Operate PressReheating by Micro Power Frozen Pre-cooked Foods ReheatVolume Starting TemperatureLarge Volume Soups and Snacks HintsIngredients MethodTip Ingredients SoupLaksa Method SoupHint To Make CroutonsTo Reheat a Croissant Filling Corn & baconCooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro Power Fish or Shellfish Amount Power APPROX. Cooking TimeFish and Shellfish Directions for cooking fish by Sensor S / Auto Cook ÅBouillabaisse Noise40 g Butter Onion, diced ⁄4 cup Flour Tablespoon ⁄2 teaspoon Pepper Prepared mustard 11⁄2 cups Milk 440 gTo cook by Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro power Cooking Poultry Pieces by Micro powerCooking Poultry by Micro power PoultryCooking Eggs by Micro Power Cooking Whole Chicken by Sensor Cook SCooking Chicken Pieces by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook ÅPoultry and Eggs Ingredients 500 gHoney Mustard Glaze Cup Chicken stock ⁄4 cup Coconut cream Cooked BBQ chickenSpicy Chicken Curry Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro power Cooking Less-Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro powerCooking meat by Micro power Meat Power APPROX. Cooking TimeCooking Curries by Sensor Cook S Auto Cook Å 250 g 750 g General Guide to Curries For Sensor Cook / Auto CookTo Operate for Auto Cook to Curries To Cook PappadumsTo Operate by Sensor Cook Cheese Sauce Ingredients Meat Sauce 500 gMethod Meat Sauce 500 g Teaspoon 425 g Cup Beef stock cube 200 g Sliced mushrooms ⁄3 cup Sour creamCombined. Cook on P7 for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring On P7 for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir through sour creamCooking Fresh Vegetables by Micro power Vegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure TimeVegetables and Legumes ApproxCooking Frozen Vegetables by Micro Power Vegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Cooking TimeLegumes VegetablesCooking Dried Beans and Peas by Micro power Cooking Legumes by Sensor Cook S Auto Cook ÅChickpea Salad with Coriander Dressing S Å Lentil Hot Pot S750 g Peeled and sliced potatoes 250 ml Cream ⁄4 cup Milk Bacon rashers, chopped ⁄2 cup Grated cheeseArdennis Style Potatoes 500 g Cabbage, shredded Tablespoons WaterTablespoon Butter 125 g Ham, finely chopped Salt and pepper Green onions, finely choppedTablespoons Butter 250 g Brussels sprouts Tablespoons Butter 150 gTeaspoon Dill or basil Sugar Tomato, dicedCooking Rice by Micro power Rice, Pasta and NoodlesCooking Rice by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook Å APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Rice Standing TAPTo Reheat 2 Cups of Cooked Rice Cooking Pasta by Micro power Fresh Pasta 250 g 625 gDried Pasta 150 g 500 g APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Pasta Standing ContainerPrepare Pasta as above. Refer to Pasta directions on 250 g Penne Cups Boiling water ⁄2 cupTo cook by Sensor Cook/ Auto Cook Cooking Dried Noodles by Micro power Pasta and NoodlesCooking Fresh Noodles by Sensor Cook S / Auto Cook Å APPROX. Time Amount To Cook Noodles Container BoilingTo cook Noodles by Sensor Cook / Auto Cook Cakes, Desserts and Slices Cooking Desserts by Sensor Cook SSlices fruit loaf ⁄3 cup Sultanas ⁄4 cup Rum 70 g11⁄3 cups Milk 300 ml Cream Brown sugar Variations 100 g Butter Cup Sultanas Brown sugar Milk Egg, beaten CupsTo Soften Dried Fruit To Toast CoconutIcing Through Christmas Pudding Makes 24 x 8 cm loaf tin300 g Dark chocolate 400 g 250 g Mixed dried fruit 440 gTopping To prepare toppingCooking Fruit by Micro Power CakesSlices To Melt ChocolatePrecautions PreservingJars and Bottles Sterilizing JarsCooking Sauces SaucesTo Reheat Pouring Custard Beverages
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