Emerson MW8103SS Microwave Oven User Manual


 
15
Cooking Instructions
Cooking Techniques
Stirring
Stir foods such as casseroles and vegetables
while cooking to distribute heat evenly. Food at
the outside of the dish absorbs more energy and
heats more quickly, so stir from the outside to the
center. The oven will turn off when you open the
door to stir your food.
Arrangement
Arrange unevenly shaped foods, such as chicken
pieces or chops, with the thicker, meatier parts
toward the outside of the turntable where they
receive more microwave energy. To prevent
overcooking, place thin or delicate parts toward
the center of the turntable.
Turning
Turn foods over midway through cooking to
expose all parts to microwave energy. This is
especially important with large items such as
roasts.
Standing
Foods cooked in the microwave build up internal
heat and continue to cook for a few minutes after
the oven stops. Let foods stand to complete
cooking, especially foods such as roasts and
whole vegetables. Roasts need this time to
complete cooking in the center without
overcooking the outer areas. All liquids, such as
soup or hot chocolate, should be shaken or
stirred when cooking is complete. Let liquids
stand a moment before serving. When heating
baby food, stir well and test the temperature
before serving.
Adding Moisture
Microwave energy is attracted to water
molecules. Food that is uneven in moisture
content should be covered or allowed to stand so
that the heat disperses evenly. Add a small
amount of water to dry food to help it cook.
General Tips
Dense foods, such as potatoes, take longer to
heat than lighter foods. Foods with a delicate
texture should be heated at a low power level
to avoid becoming tough.
Altitude and the type of cookware you are
using can affect cooking time. When using a
new recipe, use the minimum cooking time
and check the food occasionally to prevent
overcooking.
Foods with a non-porous skin or shell, such as
potatoes, eggs, or hot dogs, should be pierced
to prevent bursting.
Frying with heating oil or fat is not
recommended. Fat and oil can suddenly boil
over and cause severe burns.
Some ingredients heat faster than others. For
example, the jelly inside a jelly doughnut will
be hotter than the dough. Keep this in mind to
avoid burns.
Home canning in the microwave oven is not
recommended because all harmful bacteria
may not be destroyed by the microwave
heating process.
Although microwaves do not heat the
cookware, the heat is often transferred to the
cookware. Always use pot holders when
removing food from the microwave and
instruct children to do the same.