cooking techniques (continued)

covering

As with conventional cooking, moisture evaporates during microwave cooking. Casserole lids or plastic wrap are used for a tighter seal. When using plastic wrap, vent the plastic wrap by folding back part of the plastic wrap from the edge of the dish to allow steam to escape. Loosen or remove plastic wrap as recipe directs for stand time. When removing plastic wrap covers, as well as any glass lids, be careful to remove them away from you to avoid steam burns. Various degrees of moisture retention are also obtained by using wax paper or paper towels.

shielding

Thin areas of meat and poultry cook more quickly than meaty portions. To prevent overcooking, these thin areas can be shielded with strips of aluminum foil. Wooden toothpicks may be used to hold the foil in

place.

caution is to be exercised when using foil. Arcing can occur if foil is too close to oven wall or door and damage to your oven will result.

cooking time

A range of cooking time is given in each recipe. The time range compensates for the uncontrollable differences in food shapes, starting temperature, and regional prefer- ences. Always cook food for the minimum cooking time given in a recipe and check for doneness. If the food is undercooked, continue cooking. It is easier to add time to an undercooked product. Once the food is overcooked, nothing can be done.

stirring

Stirring is usually necessary during microwave cooking. Always bring the cooked outside edges toward the center and the less cooked center portions toward the outside of the dish.

rearranging

Rearrange small items such as chicken pieces, shrimp, hamburger patties or pork chops. Rearrange pieces from the edge to the center and pieces from the center to the edge of the dish.

turning

It is not possible to stir some foods to distribute the heat evenly. At times, microwave energy will concentrate in one area of the food. To help insure even cooking, these food need to be turned. Turn over large foods, such as roasts or turkeys, halfway through cooking.

stand time

Most foods will continue to cook by conduction after the microwave oven is turned off. In meat cookery, the internal temperature will rise 5 °F to 15 °F (3 °C to 8 °C), if allowed to stand, tented with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes. Casseroles and vegetables need a shorter amount of standing time, but this standing time is necessary to allow foods to complete cooking to the center without overcooking on the edges.

test for doneness

The same tests for doneness used in conventional cooking may be used for microwave cooking. Meat is done when fork-tender or splits at fibers. Chicken is done when juices are clear yellow and drumstick moves freely. Fish is done when it flakes and is opaque. Cake is done when a toothpick or cake tester is inserted and comes out clean.

about food safety and cooKing teMPerature

Check foods to see that they are cooked to the United States Department of Agriculture’s recommended temperatures.

teMPfood

160 ˚F ...for fresh pork, ground meat, boneless white poultry, fish, seafood, egg dishes and frozen prepared food.

165 ˚F ...for leftover, ready-to-reheat refrigerated, and deli and carryout “fresh” food.

170 ˚F ...white meat of poultry.

180 ˚F ...dark meat of poultry.

To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer in a thick or dense area away from fat or bone. NEVER leave the thermometer in the food during cooking, unless it is approved for microwave oven use.

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