9
Tips & advice
Grill function
You can use any heat-resistant container for the
roasting/grilling function which is suitable for
conventional roasting methods, e.g. china, ceramic,
glass and metal containers.
In microwave cooking which requires the dish to be
roasted or grilled, or when using the combined
function, the containers must be suitable for
microwaves and heat-resistant. Suitable containers
are, for example, heat-resistant glass and ceramic
containers.
Before you start...
To make it as easy as possible to use the microwave
oven we have put together a few hints and tips for
you. Only switch on the oven when the food is already
inside.
Setting the cooking time
Defrosting, re-heating and cooking times are generally
much shorter than in a conventional oven or hob. So
you will need to consult this book for the
recommended cooking times. It is better to set shorter
rather than longer cooking times. Always test the food
after the cooking time has elapsed. It is better then to
continue cooking it for a little longer, than to have
overcooked food.
Initial temperatures
Thawing, heating and cooking times are dependent
upon the initial temperature of the food. Deep-frozen
food and food stored in a refrigerator, for example,
requires longer than food which has been stored at
room temperature. For heating and cooking, normal
storage temperatures are assumed (refrigerator
temperature approx. 5° C, room temperature approx.
20° C). For thawing the temperature of the deep
freeze is assumed to be -18° C.
Cooking times
All the times given in this book are guidelines, which
can be varied according to the initial temperature,
weight and condition of the food (water or fat content
etc.).
Using a food thermometer to
determine cooking time
Once cooked, every drink and every foodstuff has a
certain internal temperature at which the cooking
process can be switched off and the food will be
cooked. The internal temperature can be ascertained
with a food thermometer. The most important
temperatures are specified in the temperature table.
Addition of water
Vegetables and other foods with a high water content
can be cooked in their own juice or with the addition
of a little water. This ensures that many vitamins and
minerals are preserved.
Food in skin or shells
Foods such as sausages, chickens, chicken legs, baked
potatoes, tomatoes, apples, egg yolks or such like
should be pricked or pierced with a fork or small
wooden skewer. This will enable the steam which forms
to dissipate without splitting the skin or shell.
Fatty foods
Fatty meat and layers of fat cook better than lean
portions of meat. Before cooking, cover the fatty
portions with a piece of aluminium foil or place the
food with the fat side down.
Heating drinks
(Coffee, Water, Tea, etc.)
Heating milk
Heating soup
Heating stew
Poultry
Lamb
Pink
Well done
Roast beef
Rare
Medium
Well done
Pork, Veal
Drink / Food Internal Internal temp.
temperature after 10 - 15 mins
once cooked standing time
65-75
o
C
60-65
o
C
75-80
o
C
75-80
o
C
80-85
o
C
70
o
C
75-80
o
C
50-55
o
C
60-65
o
C
75-80
o
C
80-85
o
C
85-90
o
C
70-75
o
C
80-85
o
C
55-60
o
C
65-70
o
C
80-85
o
C
80-85
o
C
2. AG-61+62D-UK English 20/05/2004 15:30 Page 9