Maytag UMC5100AD, Microwave Oven manual Cooking Guide, Cooking Principles and Techniques

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COOKING GUIDE

COOKING PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES

The advantages of microwave cooking are speed and efficiency. For warming, heating, and defrosting, nothing compares. Here are a few tips that will make microwaving easier and more enjoyable.

Microwave Cooking Principles

Because microwave cooking requires only one-quarter to one- third the time of conventional cooking, cooking principles become even more important.

Quantity

In microwave cooking, the cooking time is dependent on the amount of food in the oven. If you double the recipe, plan on doubling the cooking time.

Density

Dense foods, such as potatoes, need more cooking time, as they take longer for microwave energy to penetrate and for the heat to be conducted through them.

Shape and Size

Cut food into uniform shapes and sizes for even cooking in the microwave. When cooking irregular shapes (such as chicken pieces), place the thicker parts to the outer edge of the dish.

Moisture, Sugar and Fat

Food high in moisture, sugar or fat cook faster. Add a minimum of liquid to moisten foods. Excessive amounts of water slow cooking.

Starting Temperature

Frozen or refrigerated foods take longer to microwave than food at room temperature.

Delicate Ingredients

Delicate foods such as eggs, cheese, mayonnaise, etc., cook very quickly, and should be watched carefully.

Microwave Cooking Techniques Arranging: Arrange food in a circular pattern, with denser, thicker items at the edge of the dish. Piercing: Pierce the membrane of foods such as eggs, oysters, snails, sausages, livers, clams and whole vegetables, so they do not burst. Pierce pouches when using cook-in-the-bag food items.

Reheating: Cooked food reheats extremely well by using a low level of microwave energy. Place denser foods near the outer edge of the dish when reheating.

Covering: Most foods will cook and reheat better when covered. Pierce plastic wrap to vent steam.

Stirring: Stir foods to help cook/ reheat more quickly and evenly. Turning Over: To promote even cooking, turn larger solid items such as roasts or baked potatoes over halfway through the cooking time.

Shielding: Use small, smooth strips of aluminum foil to prevent corners and thin or bony areas from overcooking.

Standing Time: Foods continue cooking even after removal from the oven. Standing time is necessary to allow foods to complete cooking/defrosting.

Converting Recipes

Microwave recipes will likely call for less liquid and cooking time.

Microwave Thermometers

Amicrowave-safe thermometer can be used to achieve the best results. Insert the thermometer carefully and properly into the food.

The guide below gives suggested thermometer readings for meat and poultry. Keep in mind that standing time is essential for most food to reach its proper temperature. Internal temperatures should be measured after 5-10 minutes of standing time.

Guide to Internal Temperatures

145°F (63°C) . Rare beef

150°F (66°C) . Vegetables, hot drinks, soups, casseroles

160°F (71°C) . Medium beef, lamb, veal, pork

170°F (77°C) . Well-done beef, lamb, pork

170°F (77°C) . Whole fish

185°F (85°C) . Well-done, poultry pieces or roasted bird

COOKING GUIDE

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Contents USER’S Guide Cooking Guide Serial Number Date of Purchase Where PurchasedSpecifications subject to change without notice Model NumberTable of Contents Safety SET UP Operation CookingGuide Maintenance If a fire should start Important Safety InstructionsProper and Safe USE of Your Oven SafetyElectric Shock Hazard Grounding InstructionsPersonal Injury Hazard Do not exceed 1 minute testing timeInterference Note UtensilsUtensils Remarks Materials you can use in microwave ovenMaterials to be avoided in microwave oven Turntable memory allows SET UPNames of Oven Parts and Accessories Turntable InstallationCountertop Installation InstallationOperation Control Panel and FeaturesSoup/Beverage IndicatorsPower Level Display WindowChild LOCK-OUT Setting ClockStep Procedure Keypad OperationMulti-stage Cooking TimerTimed Cooking and Power Level Delay Start CookingPress Cook Time Reminder Beeps If an Error Message appearsAuto Sensor Microwaving Press Pizza SliceGeneral Sensor Cooking/Reheating Auto Sensor Microwaving TipsOptional Settings Defrosting Techniques Conversion ChartDefrost Press Auto DefrostPress Add 30 sec. once ADD 30 SecondsDuring Defrosting Cooking Amount Time Special Notes ONE Touch Start CookingPress Display shows time counting Down Reheating Amount Time Special NotesTo delete a Custom Program Custom ProgramsPress Custom Programs once To use a Custom ProgramCooking Principles and Techniques Cooking GuideItem/Amount Menu Special Notes Reheating GuideCooking Guide Carrot and Basil Bake Fresh Vegetable RecipesTwice-Baked Potatoes Asparagus with Orange-Balsamic VinaigretteFrozen Vegetable Recipes CookingGuide Sensor Cooking Recipes Fresh Vegetable RecipesBeef Food Power Cooking Standing Special Notes TimeTimed Cooking MEATS, Poultry and Fish Fish and Seafood Should be opaque in color and flake easilyLamb PorkFish and Seafood Troubleshooting MaintenanceSTOP/CLEAR was pressed Press STOP/CLEARMicrowave eggs in the shell since they may explode Questions and AnswersRemovable Parts Care and CleaningSpecial Care MaintenanceLimited Parts Warranty Outside the United States or Canada Microwave Oven WarrantyFull Two Year Warranty Limited Parts WarrantyIf You Need Service Microwave Oven Warrantycont
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