Microwave Cooking Advice; Food Characteristics; Cooking Techniques; Microwave Safe Cookware - Zanussi ZBC40440 Notice D'utilisation

MICROWAVE COOKING ADVICE

MICROWAVE COOKING
To cook/defrost food in a microwave oven, the microwave
energy must be able to pass through the container to penetrate
the food. Therefore it is important to choose suitable cookware.
Round/oval dishes are preferable to square/oblong ones as the
food in the corners tends to overcook.

FOOD CHARACTERISTICS

Composition Foods high in fat or sugar (e.g. Christmas pudding, mince pies) require less heating time. Care should be taken as overheating
can lead to fire.
Density Food density will affect the amount of cooking time needed. Light porous foods, such as cakes or bread, cook more quickly than
heavy, dense foods, such as roasts and casseroles.
Quantity The cooking time must be increased as the amount of food placed in the oven increases (e.g. four potatoes will take longer to
cook than two).
Size Small foods and small pieces cook faster than large ones, as microwaves can penetrate from all sides to the centre. For even
cooking make all the pieces the same size.
Shape Foods which are irregular in shape, such as chicken breasts or drumsticks, take longer to cook in the thicker parts. Round
shapes cook more evenly than square shapes when microwave cooking.
Temperature The initial temperature of food affects the amount of cooking time needed. Chilled foods will take longer to cook than food at
of food room temperature. Cut into foods with fillings (e.g. jam doughnuts) to release heat or steam.

COOKING TECHNIQUES

Arrange Place the thickest parts of food towards the outside of the dish (e.g. chicken drumsticks).
Cover Use vented microwave cling film or a suitable lid.
Pierce Foods with a shell, skin or membrane must be pierced in several places before cooking or reheating as steam will build up and
may cause food to explode (e.g. potatoes, fish, chicken, sausages).
Important: Eggs should not be heated using microwave power as they may explode, even after cooking has ended (e.g.
poached, hard boiled).
Stir, turn and For even cooking it is essential to stir, turn and rearrange food during cooking. Always stir and rearrange from the outside
rearrange towards the centre.
Stand Standing time is necessary after cooking to enable the heat to disperse equally throughout the food.
Shield Some areas of food being defrosted may become warm. Warm areas can be shielded with small pieces of foil, which reflect
microwaves (e.g. legs and wings on a chicken).

MICROWAVE SAFE COOKWARE

Cookware
Aluminium foil/containers
Browning dishes
China and ceramics
Glassware e.g. Pyrex ®
Metal
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Microwave
safe
Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used to shield food from overheating. Keep foil at least 2 cm
 / 
from the oven walls, as arcing may occur. Foil containers are not recommended unless specified
by the manufacturer. Follow instructions carefully.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do not exceed heating times given. Be very careful
as these dishes become very hot.

Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone china are usually suitable, except for those with
 / 
metallic decoration.
Care should be taken if using fine glassware as it can break or crack if heated suddenly.
It is not recommended to use metal cookware when using microwave power as it will arc, which

can lead to fire.

It is important to turn, rearrange or stir food to ensure even
heating.
Standing time is necessary after cooking as it enables the heat
to disperse equally throughout the food.
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