Cooking Techniques - Kenmore 565.61302 Use And Care Manual

COOKINGTECHNIQUES
Advantages of microwave cooking are
speed and efficiency. For warming,
heating, and defrosting, nothing really
compares. Here are a few tips that will
make microwaving easier and more
enjoyable.
Microwave Cooking Principles
Because microwave cooking requires
only one-quarter to one-third the time of
conventional cooking, cooking principles
become even more important.
Quantity
The more food that is being cooked, the
longer that you will have to cook it. As a
general rule, when doubling a recipe,
increase the cooking time by about 50
percent. When cutting a recipe in half,
reduce the time by about 40 percent.
Density
Dense foods, such as potatoes, roasts
and carrots, absorb microwave energy
less quickly than porous foods such as
ground beef or mashed potatoes.
Therefore, denser foods take longer to
cook.
Shape and Size
Small pieces cook faster thun large
ones. For even cooking, it is impodant to
have all of the pieces the same size.
Evenly shaped pieces, round or
doughnut shaped, microwave best.
When cooking items of varying
thickness, arrange the thick portion near
the outer edge of the dish.
Moisture, Sugar and Fat
Food high in moisture, sugar or tat cook
faster than foods that are low in these
substances. Add a minimal amount of
liquid to moist foods. An excess amount
of water slows cooking.
Starting Temperature
Frozen or refrigerated foods take longer
to microwave than food at room
temperature.
Delicate Ingredients
Some foods require special attention
when cooked in the microwave oven.
Delicate foods such as eggs, cheese,
mayonnaise, etc. cook quickly, so they
should be watched carefully.
Microwave Cooking Techniques
Arranging: Arrange foods in a circular
pattern, when possible.
Piercing: Pierce the membrane of foods
such as eggs, oysters, snails, sausages,
livers, clams and whole vegetables, so
they do not burst.
Covering: Covering speeds heating
and prevents spattering.
Stirring:To help food cook more quickly
and evenly.
Turning Over: To help larger foods
such as roasts or whole chickens cook
more evenly.
Reheating: Place food that is denser/
larger/thicker to the outer edge and the
smaller/thinner or more porous food to
the center.
Shielding:To prevent overcooking, thin
or bony areas can be protected with
small strips of aluminum foil.
Standing Time: Foods continue
cooking even after removal from the
oven. Therefore, standing time is
necessary to allow foods to complete
cooking.
Converting Recipes
Microwave recipes will likely call for less
liquid and cooking time.
Safety Food Temperatures
For your safety, the following
temperatures are recommended to
avoid potential food poisoning problems.
160°F (71°C): Meat, Fish, Eggs
165°F (74°C): Reheating foods
170°F (77°C): Poultry (White Meat)
180°F (82°C): Poultry (Dark Meat)
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COOKING/REHEATING TIPS
FROZEN ENTREE
• Follow package directions for
removing or venting cover, piercing
pouch, replacing foil, covering with
plastic wrap, etc.
• Frozen foods with special packaging
to "crisp" foods such as pizza and
french fries and pocket-type
sandwiches should be cooked
according to manufacturer's
directions.
• If entree contains a sauce that may
bubble over (such as pot pies or
macaroni and cheese), place
container on a microwave-safe plate
to catch spills.
• Pot pies should be cooked according
to manufacture's directions.
SOUP/BEVERAGE
• Liquid must be room or refrigeration
temperature.
• When cooking canned soups,
remove from can.
• Add milk or water as directed on can.
Place in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover.
POPCORN
• Bag should be at room temperature.
• Do not use this feature if popcorn bag
size is not 3.5 oz, 3.0 oz or 1.75 oz.
PIZZA SLICE
• Place on a paper plate.
• Pizza must be room or refrigerated
temperature.
POTATO
• Pierce with fork.
Place on a paper towel.
Let stand 3 - 5 minutes after cooking.
• Arrange in a circular pattern with
heavier ends pointing toward the
outer edge of the turntable.
• Potatoes must be room temperature.
• Do not place potato in the center of
oven when cooking.
FROZEN VEGETABLE
• Follow package directions for adding
water, piercing pouch, cooking in
dish, venting package, etc.
• Frozen Vegetables in a pouch :
Remove frozen vegetables from
package and place them in a
microwave-safe casserole dish.
FRESH VEGETABLE
• Place in a bowl or dish.
Add 1 tablespoon water per serving.
Cover.
• Weight shown is for washed.
Item/Amount
Lasagna
Macaroni and Cheese
Quick Touch
TM
CookingiReheating Guide
Special Notes
Follow package directions.
Soup
I - 3 servings
(8 - 24 oz)
Milk
1-3cups(8-24oz)
Coffee/Tea
1 -3cups(8-24oz)
Press keypad
FROZEN
ENTREE
SOUP/
BEVERAGE
SOUP/
BEVERAGE
SOUP/
BEVERAGE
POPCORN
Popcorn
3.5 oz
3.0 oz
1.75 oz
Cover. Stir after reheating.
No cover. Stir after reheating. For hot
chocolate, etc.
No cover. Stir after reheating.
CAUTION:
1)After popping, open bag carefully.
Popcorn and steam are extremely hot.
2) Do not reheat unpopped kernels or
reuse bag. Overcooking can result in an,
oven fire.
3) Never use a brown paper bag for
popping corn.
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