Cooking Guide
Continued
Covering: A cover traps heat and steam causing the food to cook more quickly. You may either use a lid or plastic wrap with a corner folded back to vent the excess steam. Recipes calling for covered microwavable casseroles use the glass casserole covers to help retain the steam; however, the covers can become hot during cooking so handle carefully. Wax paper effectively prevents food from spattering in the oven and helps food retain some heat. Sand- wiches and many other foods can be wrapped in paper towels to prevent them from drying out.
Spacing: Individual foods such as baked potatoes, cupcakes, and hors d’oeuvres will cook more evenly if placed in the oven at least an inch apart, preferably in a circular pattern.
Stirring: Stirring is an important microwaving technique. Microwaved foods are stirred in order to blend flavors and redistribute heat. Always stir from the outside toward the inside, since the outside of the food heats first.
Turning Over: Larger sized food such as roasts and whole poultry should be turned over so that the top and bottom will cook evenly. It is also a good idea to turn over chicken pieces and chops.
Arrangement: Since dense foods cook more slowly in the microwave, it makes sense to place thicker portions of meat, poultry, fish and veg- etables to the outer edge of the baking dish. This way, thicker portions will receive the most microwave energy and the food will cook evenly. Also, arrange food in a single layer, rather than stacking, to permit more even cooking.
Shielding: Strips of aluminum foil, which block microwaves, are sometimes placed over the corners or edges of square and rectangular shaped pans to prevent those portions from overcooking. Irregular food shapes such as poultry legs and wings tips can be shielded with foil to keep them from overcooking. Keep foil at least one inch from the oven walls.
Piercing: To prevent bursting, food enclosed in a shell, skin or membrane must be pierced prior to cooking. Such foods include both the yolks and whites of eggs, hot dogs, clams, oysters, and many whole vegetables, such as potatoes and squash.
Testing for Doneness: Because foods cook so quickly in a microwave oven, it is necessary to test for doneness frequently. Check recipes for specific information.
Standing Time: Food is often allowed to stand for 2 to 10 minutes after being removed from the microwave oven. Usually the food is covered during standing time to retain heat. Most foods are removed from the oven while still slightly undercooked, and finish cooking during standing time. The internal temperature of food will rise about 10” during standing time.
5.
Never use metal or
Testing Utensils for Microwave Use: Place the utensil in question next to a glass measure filled with water in the microwave oven. Cook 1 minute at HIGH power. If the water is warm and the utensil remains cool, the utensil is microwavable. However, if the utensil becomes warm, microwaves are being absorbed by the utensil and it should not be used in the micro- wave oven.
You probably have many items on hand in your kitchen right now that can be used as cooking equipment in your microwave oven. Read through the following checklist:
1.Dinner Plates: Many kinds of tableware are microwavable. This would include most brands of
2.Glassware: Some glassware that is heat- resistant is microwavable. This would include all brands of
3.Paper: Paper plates and containers without wax coating are convenient and safe to use in your microwave oven for short cooking times. Paper towels are also very useful for absorbing moisture and grease. In general, use white paper, as some dyes may separate.
4.Plastic Storage Containers: These can be used to hold foods that are to be quickly re- heated. However, they should not be used to heat foods that will need considerable time in the oven, as hot foods will eventually warp or melt the containers.
5.Cooking Bags: Cooking bags are microwavable. Make sure to make a slit in the bag so that steam can escape. Substitute string or microwavable closure for metal twist ties.
6.Plastic Microwave Cookware: A variety of cookware is available. Certain specialty items such as plastic ring molds, muffin pans, etc. are convenient. Check the manufacturer’s instruc- tions.
7.Pottery, Stoneware, and Ceramic: Containers made of these materials are usually fine for use in your microwave oven. They should be checked by using the dish test.