ETNA SM120RVS Mode D'emploi page 91

OPERATION
Factors that aff ect the cooking process
Basic techniques
• When defrosting irregularly shaped food, halfway through
the defrosting time you can cover or wrap the thin parts with
aluminium foil.
• Th e temperature of the ingredients aff ects the cooking times. A
cold meal will require a longer cooking time than a meal that is
already at room temperature.
• Light, delicate foods cook more quickly than heavy, solid foods,
such as stews and rolled meats. Take care when cooking light,
delicate foods. Th e edges quickly become dry and tough.
• Small pieces of food are heated more evenly if you place them
separately in the microwave, preferably in a circle.
• Bones and fat conduct heat better than meat. Covering chicken
legs and wings with aluminium foil prevents burning these parts.
• Microwaves penetrate food to a depth of about 3 cm. Th e centre
of thick foods is heated as a result of heat from the heated part
(the outside) spreading to the inside.
• Meat and poultry that is cooked in the microwave for more than
about 15 minutes becomes lightly browned. Any food cooked for
a shorter time can be rubbed beforehand with a 'browning' sauce,
such as Worcestershire sauce, soya bean oil or barbecue sauce.
• Greaseproof paper prevents splattering. It also retains heat better.
Arranging food
• Place thicker pieces on the edge on the turntable. Foods placed on
the edge of the turntable receive the most microwaves.
Stirring
• By stirring dishes regularly you distribute the heat stored in them.
Always stir from outside to inside, since the outside of the dish
always becomes hot fi rst.
Turning
• Turn large, thick foods frequently. Th ey then cook more evenly
and quickly.
EN 19
Cooking tips