42COMMONLY ASKEDQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MICROWAVES COOK FROM THE INSIDE OUT. They
certainly do not. Microwaves penetrate foods from the
outside to a depth of about 2.5 cm. Small foods, under 5
cm in diameter, are penetrated to the centre from all
sides. With large foods, energy creates heat in the outer
layer; then the heat moves to the centre by conduction,
as it does conventionally. A few foods may appear to
cook more on the inside. One example is an egg. Energy
penetrates to the centre, where the fatty yolk becomes
hotter than the white, and cooks quicker.
YOU CAN'T USE METAL IN A MICROWAVE OVEN.
False. Metal reflects microwaves; the oven itself is made
of metal so microwave energy can't escape. Inside the
oven, metal slows cooking because it keeps energy from
reaching parts of the food. You can use the reflective
properties of metal to protect foods which might overcook
in some areas.
DISHES DON'T GET HOT IN A MICROWAVE OVEN.
Keep your oven mitts handy. A microwave-safe utensil
will not be heated by microwave energy, but it will
become hot from contact with hot food. Heat tends to
equalise. A warm object heats the air around it, like a
radiator in a cool room. When food becomes hot, some of
this heat is transferred to the dish.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
As a general guide:
HIGH – is ideal for vegetables, fruit, soup, beverages,
bacon and sauces.
MEDIUM HIGH – for roasting lamb, roasting chicken and
fish fillets.
MEDIUM – is for roasting beef, pork and simmering;
great for casseroles or stews and cooking seafood.
MEDIUM LOW – allows you to defrost.
LOW – is used to keep foods warm once they are
cooked.
•The more food in the microwave oven, the longer it
takes to cook.
•Reduce liquids in a microwave recipe because there is
not as much evaporation, due to the shorter cooking
time.
• Reduce seasonings slightly because flavours will be
unbalanced by quantity of liquid. Do not add salt
until the end of the cooking process.
• Microwaves cook from the outside to the centre, so
when arranging foods always place the thicker or
more dense portions of food at the outside, with
the thinner, less-dense pieces on the inside.
•Foil can be used in the microwave oven success
fully.
Just remember two rules:
(a) There must be at least half of the food
exposed to the microwaves.
(b) Do not let the foil touch the sides of the oven.
Use foil to shield thinner parts of food when defrosting,
to prevent over-cooking and drying out.
•All food continues to cook after it leaves the micro
wave oven because the heat is stored in the food
and not in the oven.
Standing time required will vary according to the volume
and density of food.
e.g. Fish and vegetables – 1-5 minutes
Cakes – 3-10 minutes
Roasts – 5-15 minutes
Cover foods with a lid or foil when standing.
•When reheating foods always cover with a lid,
plastic wrap or paper towel to prevent foods from
drying out. Reheat on MEDIUM for best results.
•Always pierce food that has a membrane – for
example eggs, tomatoes, potatoes and kidneys.
•Remember to cover vegetables with a lid or plastic
wrap when cooking.
PULSES
To soak: Place one cup of any variety of beans in a large
dish, add 2 cups cold water and cover with a lid or plastic
wrap. Place in microwave and cook for 5 minutes on
HIGH. Then simmer for 30 minutes on MEDIUM LOW.
They will then be ready to use.
To cook: Rinse pulses. One cup of pulses to 4 cups of
boiling water is required for a maximum of 45 minutes on
HIGH.
DRIED MUSHROOMS
Place in a bowl with 2 cups of water and heat, slowly, 8-
10 minutes on LOW.