Cooking Guide

GB MICROWAVES

Microwave energy actually penetrates food, attracted and absorbed by its water, fat and sugar content. The microwaves cause the molecules in the food to move rapidly. The rapid movement of these molecules creates friction and the resulting heat cooks the food.

COOKING

Cookware for microwave cooking:

Cookware must allow microwave energy to pass through it for maximum efficiency.

Microwaves are reflected by metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium and copper, but they can penetrate through ceramic, glass, porcelain and plastic as well as paper and wood. So food must never be cooked in metal containers.

Foods suitable for microwave cooking:

Many kinds of food are suitable for microwave cooking, including fresh or frozen vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, grains, beans, fish, and meat. Sauces, custard, soups, steamed puddings, preserves, and chutneys can also be cooked in a microwave oven. Generally speaking, microwave cooking is ideal for any food that would normally be prepared on a hob. Melting butter or chocolate, for example (see the chapter with tips, techniques and hints).

Covering during cooking

It is very important to cover the food during cooking because evaporated water rises as steam and contributes to the cooking process. Food can be covered in different ways: e.g. with a ceramic plate, plastic cover or microwave suitable cling film.

Standing times

It is important to allow standing time when you have finished cooking the food in order to allow the temperature within the food to even out.

Cooking Guide for frozen vegetables

Use a suitable glass pyrex bowl with lid. Cook covered for the minimum time - see table. Continue cooking to get the result you prefer.

Stir twice during cooking and once after cooking. Add salt, herbs or butter after cooking. Cover during standing time.

Food

Portion

Power

Time

Standing

Instructions

 

 

 

(min.)

Time

 

 

 

 

 

(min.)

 

Spinach

150 g

600W

4½-5½

2-3

Add 15 ml (1 tablespoon)

 

 

 

 

 

cold water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broccoli

300 g

600W

9-10

2-3

Add 30 ml (2 tbsp.)

 

 

 

 

 

cold water.

Peas

300 g

600W

7½-8½

2-3

Add 15 ml (1 tbsp.)

 

 

 

 

 

cold water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

Portion

Power

Time

Standing

Instructions

 

 

 

(min.)

Time

 

 

 

 

 

(min.)

 

Green Beans

300 g

600W

8-9

2-3

Add 30 ml (2 tbsp.)

 

 

 

 

 

cold water.

Mixed

300 g

600W

7½-8½

2-3

Add 15 ml (1 tbsp.)

Vegetables

 

 

 

 

cold water.

(carrots/

 

 

 

 

 

peas/corn)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed

300 g

600W

8-9

2-3

Add 15 ml (1 tbsp.)

Vegetables

 

 

 

 

cold water.

(Chinese

 

 

 

 

 

style)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking Guide for rice and pasta

Rice : Use a large glass pyrex bowl with lid - rice doubles in volume during cooking. Cook covered.

After the cooking time is over, stir before standing time and salt or add herbs and butter.

Remark: the rice may not have absorbed all water after the cooking time is finished.

Pasta : Use a large glass pyrex bowl. Add boiling water, a pinch of salt and stir well. Cook uncovered.

Stir occasionally during and after cooking. Cover during standing time and drain thoroughly afterwards..

Food

Portion

Power

Time

Standing

Instructions

 

 

 

(min.)

Time

 

 

 

 

 

(min.)

 

White Rice

250g

850W

16-17

5

Add 500 ml cold water.

(parboiled)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Rice

250g

850W

21-22

5

Add 500 ml cold water.

(parboiled)

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed Rice

250g

850W

17-18

5

Add 500 ml cold water.

(rice + wild

 

 

 

 

 

rice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed Corn

250g

850W

18-19

5

Add 400 ml cold water.

(rice + grain)

 

 

 

 

 

Pasta

250g

850W

11-12

5

Add 1000 ml hot water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

16