Arranging food
For best results, distribute food evenly on
the plate. You can do this in several ways:
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If you are cooklng several items of the
same food, such as baked potatoes,
place them in a ring pattern for uniform
cooking.
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When cooklng foods of uneven shapes
or thickness, place the smaller or thinner
area of the food towards the center of the
dish where it will be heated last.
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Arrange uneven foods, such as chicken
breasts, with the thicker part to the outer
edge.
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If you are saving a meal in the refrigera-
tor or “plating” a meal for reheating,
arrange the thicker, denser foods to the
outside of the plate and the thinner or less
dense foods in the middle.
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Place thin slices of meat on top of each
other or interlace them.
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Place thicker slices of meat, such as
meat loaf and sausages, close to each
other.
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Reheat gravy or sauce in a separate
container.
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When you cook or reheat whole flsh,
score the skin - this prevents cracking.
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Shield the tall and head of whole fish
with small pieces of foil to prevent over-
cooking and ensure the foil does not touch
the sides of the oven.
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Do not let food or container touch the top
or sides of the oven. This will prevent
possible arcing.
Using aluminum foil
Metal containers should not be used in a
microwave oven. There are, however, some
exceptions. If you have purchased food
which is prepackaged in an aluminum foil
container, then refer to the instructions on
the package. When using aluminum foil
containers, cooking times may be longer
because microwaves will only penetrate
the top of the food.
If you use aluminum containers without
package instructions, follow these
guidelines:
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Place container in a glass bowl and add
some water so that it covers the bottom of
the container, not more than I/q” high. This
ensures even heating of the container
bottom.
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Always remove the lid to avoid damage to
the oven.
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Use only undamaged containers.
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Do not use containers taller than %“.
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Container must be half filled.
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To avold arcing, there must be a mini-
mum 9’4” between the aluminum container
and the walls of the oven and also be-
tween two aluminum containers.
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Always place container on turntable.
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Reheating food in aluminum foil contain-
ers usually takes up to double the time
compared to reheating in plastic, glass,
china, or paper containers. The time when
food is ready will vary a great deal.
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Let food stand for 2-3 minutes after
heating so that heat is spread evenly
throughout container.
Cooking you should not do in
your microwave oven
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Do not do canning of foods in the oven.
Closed glass jars may explode, resulting
in damage to the oven or possible per-
sonal injury.
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Do not use the microwave oven to sterilize
objects (baby bottles, etc.). It is difficult to
maintain the high temperature required for
safe sterilization.
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