Table of Contents
Advertisement
EN
COOKING GUIDE
THE PRINCIPLES OF MICROWAVE COOKING
Microwaves are a form of high frequency radio waves similar to those used by a radio including AM,
FM and CB. Electricity is converted into microwave energy by the magnetron tube. From the
magnetron tube, microwave energy is transmitted to the oven where it is reflected, transmitted and
absorbed by the food.
Reflection: Microwaves are reflected by metal just as a ball is bounced off of a wall. For this reason, metal
utensils are not suitable for use in the microwave. A combination of stationary interior walls and a rotating
metal turntable or stirrer fan helps assure that the microwaves are well distributed within the oven cavity to
produce even cooking.
Transmission: Microwaves pass through some materials such as paper, glass and plastic much like sunlight
shining through a window. Because these substances do not absorb or reflect the microwave energy, they are
ideal materials for microwave oven cooking containers.
Absorption: During cooking, microwaves will be absorbed by food. They penetrate to a depth of about 3/4 to
1 1/2 inches. Microwave energy activates the molecules in the food (especially water, fat and sugar), and heat
is produced. If you vigorously rub your hands together, you will feel heat produced by friction. The internal
cooking of larger foods is done by conduction as the heat which is produced by friction is conducted to the
middle of the food. Foods also continue to cook by conduction during standing time.
FOOD CHARACTERISTICS
Quantity: The amount of food placed in a microwave oven has a direct effect on the cooking time. Small
amounts of food or liquid require less cooking time than larger amounts of the same substance. As quantity
increases, concentration decreases.
Size: Small pieces cook faster than large ones. To speed cooking, cut pieces smaller than two inches (5 cm),
so microwaves can penetrate to the middle from all sides. Pieces which are similar in size and shape cook
more evenly.
Shape: Many foods are uneven, like a chicken, ribs or broccoli. The thin parts will cook faster than the thick
parts, while uniformly thick foods cook evenly. To compensate for irregular shapes, place thin pieces toward
the center of the dish and thicker pieces toward the edge of the dish.
Starting Temperature: Frozen or refrigerated foods take longer to cook than foods at room temperature.
Bone and Fat: Because bones conduct heat, the side of the meat the bone is on will cook first, while boneless
cuts cook slower but more evenly. Fat attracts microwaves. The middle of these foods is cooked by heat
conduction.
Moisture Content: Microwaves are attracted by moisture. Naturally moist foods absorb microwaves better
than dry ones. Add a minimum of liquid to moist foods, as excess water slows cooking.
Density: The density of food determines how easily the microwaves can penetrate and how quickly it will cook.
Porous foods, like chopped beef or mashed potatoes, microwave faster than dense ones like steak or whole
potatoes.
Piercing: Steam builds up pressure in foods which are tightly covered by a skin or membrane. Pierce potatoes,
egg yolks and chicken livers to prevent bursting.
MICROWAVE TECHNIQUES
Stirring: Stir foods from outside to center of dish once or twice during cooking to equalize heat and speed
microwaving. Foods will not burn or stick, so there's no need to stir constantly as you do in conventional cooking.
Arrangement: Arrange foods with thin or delicate ends, like drumsticks or asparagus spears, with the thick or
tougher portions to the outside of the dish. The parts which need more cooking will receive more energy, so food
will microwave evenly.
Spacing: Individual foods, such as baked potatoes and cupcakes will cook more evenly if placed in the oven an
equal distance apart. When possible, arrange foods in a circular pattern. Similarly, when placing foods in a baking
dish, arrange around the outside of the dish, not lined up next to each other. Food should not be stacked on
top of each other.
Rearrangement: Rearrange overlapping areas, like tails of long fish fillets, from top to bottom, and closely packed
pieces, like meatballs, from the outside to the center of the dish.
Standing Time: Standing time is especially important in microwave cooking. Microwave energy creates heat in
the outer layers of the food. As a result of normal conduction, the food continues to cook for a few minutes after
removal from the oven. Letting roasts, large whole vegetables, casseroles and cakes stand to finish cooking
allows the middles to cook completely without overcooking, drying or toughening the outsides.
Covering: Covering speeds cooking time, retains moisture, tenderizes, insures even cooking and prevents
18
Advertisement
Table of Contents
