Magic Chef DM15H 14B Use Ard Care Instructions page 27

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR
MICROWAVESUCCESS
STANDING TIME is importantto complete YOUR OVEN'S WATTAGE
microwavecooking.Heat continuesto spread Cookingtime at 'HI' is affectedby your oven's
throughoutfood as itstandsa few minutesout of the wattage.The specificationchart, page 6, givesthe
oven. Microwavingspeed makesstandingtime very wattageof the ovenyou own. Higher wattages
important.When heatingdiversefoods, suchas
severalleftoverson a plate, thosewhichheat more provide more power at 'HI' settings,and cookfood in
quickly(light or small foods)share some heat with lesstime, than lower wattage ovens.
slowly-heating (dense or large) foodsduring To adapt other recipesto your oven, or to
standingtime, especiallyifthe plateis covered, understandthe cookingtime of conveniencefoods in
your oven, comparethe wattageof the oven used in
With heating saucycasseroles,the moistsauce cookingthe other recipe (orthe conveniencefood)
cooks rapidly, surroundingdenser pieces of food with the wattage in your oven. Frequently magazines
with heat, which equalizes during standing time. which provide microwave recipes give the wattages
Meat roasts need standing time to equalize and firm of their test ovens; box instructions for convenience
up, just as they do in conventional roasting, foods also provide wattages. Where test wattage is
NATURAL MOISTURE in foods determines how lower than your oven's, check the cooking before
easily they will microwave. Most vegetables have minimum time on the recipe or box.Where test
over 90% water, which lets them microwave well. wattage is higher, you may need to extend the cook
ADD MOISTURE to dry foods to help them time for your oven.
microwavewell.Top leftovermeat slices withsauce HEATING SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL FOODS
or gravy.Pastaand ricecasseroles,whichcontinue AT ONCE
to dry outwith storage,need a spoonful o f added Many microwaveownersspeed meal preparationby
water perservingbeforemicrowavereheating, heatingseveralbowlsor dishesof leftoversat once.
DAMP PAPER TOWELS add moistureto some Be suredishesfit your oven.You may need to turn
foods.Tortillas and crepes softenwhen wrappedand oftthe turntable.
microwaved bdefly.Tenderfishand seafoodcan be START HEATING LARGER QUANTITIES FIRST.
coveredwithdamp papertowelsand steamed Becauseof theirsize, these willusuallytake a little
beautifully, longerthan smallerquantities. S tirthe largerfood as
NATURALLYFATTYFOODS like baconmicrowave you add the smallerone.
well. Butterand chocolatemelt readily,sausage START COLDER FOODS FIRST.When planningto
cooks quickly, richicingson defrosting cakes rapidly warm up frozen leftoversand refrigerated ones, start
becomeglossy.Creamcheese softenseasily, the frozen first.When combiningrefrigerated
PRICKING TIGHTLY-COVERED FOODS TO VENT leftoverswitha freshly-opened canned item,start
THEM is important.Potatoes,applesand sausages the refrigerated food first.When addinga room
in skinsshouldbe prickedor cutwithsmallslits temperatureroll,add to microwaveabout15to 30
before microwaving to preventbursting, seconds beforeotherfoods are done.
SHAPES OF FOOD makea differencein howthey WITH SEVERAL BOWLS OF THE SAME
microwave.For many baked foods,rounddishes LEFTOVER FOOD, time for 1 to 2 minutesper
cook more evenlythan squaredishes.Cornersof serving. Stirand check foodperiodically.
squaredishestendto absorbmore energythan any WHEN BUYING OR PREPARING FROZEN
other area, so don'tovercookbrowniesor other FOODS TO MICROWAVE COOK OR DEFROST
itemsin square dishes. LATER, cut wholefoods intosmallerpiecesbefore
SIZE OF FOOD is importantwhen microwaving, freezing.Carve chickeninto individual p ieces;freeze
Just as with conventionalcooking,small thin foods individuallyon cookie sheetso pieces won'tstick
cookfasterthanlargethickfoods.Spreadoutfoods together,then bag. Buy smallerroastsfor freezing.
on a sewing plate. Don'tstackthem, or pilehighon Flattenhamburgerpattiesso theywill defrostquickly.
a platefor heating.With foodsyou canmold, like Save the traysfromfrozen conveniencefoods for
mashedpotatoes,hollowoutthe centerso it is storingleftoversin freezeror refrigerator. S imulate
thinnerthanthe edges; all willcookmore evenly, the cookinginstructions whenyou reheat.Cover
foodswithsauce forfreezingto helpwitheven
microwavereconstitution.
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