Cooking Techniques - Oster POGH21402 Instruction Manual

cooK i n G t e cH ni Qu es
Your microwave makes cooking easier than conventional cooking, provided you keep these
considerations in mind:
STIRRING
• Stir foods such as casseroles and vegetables while cooking to distribute heat evenly.
• Food on the outside of the dish absorbs more energy and heats more quickly, so stir from the
outside to the center.
• The oven will turn off when you open the door to stir your food.
ARRANGEMENT
• Arrange unevenly shaped foods, such as chicken pieces or chops, with the thicker, meatier parts
toward the outside of the turntable where they receive more microwave energy.
• To prevent overcooking, place delicate areas, such as asparagus tips, toward the center of the turntable.
SHIELDING
• Shield food with narrow strips of aluminum foil to prevent overcooking.
• Areas that need shielding include poultry wing-tips, the ends of poultry legs, and corners of
square baking dishes.
• Use only small amounts of aluminum foil. Larger amounts can damage your oven.
TURNING
• Turn foods over midway through cooking to expose all parts to microwave energy.
• This is especially important with large foods such as roasts.
STANDING
• Foods cooked in the microwave build up internal heat and continue cooking for a few minutes
after heating has stopped.
• Let foods stand to complete cooking, especially foods such as cakes and whole vegetables.
• Roasts need this time to finish cooking in the center without overcooking the outer areas.
• All liquids, such as soup or hot chocolate, should be shaken or stirred when cooking is done. Let
liquids stand a moment before serving.
• When heating baby food, stir well when removing it and check the temperature before serving.
ADDING MoISTURE
• Microwave energy is attracted to water molecules.
• Food that has uneven moisture content should be covered or allowed to stand so that the heat
disperses evenly.
• Add a small amount of water to dry food so it can cook better.
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