Microwave Friend or Foe?

Use of Microwaves Commercial generally used for time efficiency Chefs find microwave ovens to be of limited usefulness – browning, caramelization, and other flavor-enhancing reactions cannot occur 1.Useful for reheating any already prepared item (sauce) 2.Reheating a plate that has sat in the pass a little long 3.Warming entrée plates prior to plating 4.Quick defrosting if there is a sudden rush of customers

Use of Microwaves Residential useful for some traditionally cumbersome kitchen tasks, such as softening butter or melting chocolate. reheat stored food (including pre-cooked frozen dishes) in only a few minutes. can also be used to defrost items that will later be cooked by traditional methods

The BEST Microwave meals: main dishes that consist of meat mixtures small pieces of meat diced & mixed with other ingredients covered with a sauce.

Guidelines for Cooking in a Microwave 1.Select appropriate recipes. (No “must be brown” meats.) 2.Begin with any food that must cool completely before service. Example: dessert 3.Cook the meat/main dish.

Steps to Preparing a Meal 3.Cook starches unless it is cooked with the main dish. 4.Cook (steam) veggies and any sauce or gravy. 5.Re-heat main dish if necessary. 6.Warm rolls/bread.

Equalizing Temperatures Standing Time: allowing a food to rest at room temperature before stirring or serving Holding Time: amount of time a food will remain at a safe temperature after being heated in a microwave

How do you know it’s microwave safe? Heat for 1 minute! –Cool: you can cook – Warm: use only to reheat –hot :do not use. Microwave safe cooking vessels –Plastic –glass –ceramic.

Disposables Paper plates: Use for heating foods Don’t use plates made of recycled paper Styrofoam Plates: Short-term heating Lots of fat may cause to distort or melt

Food Coverings Paper towels: Help retain some heat Absorb moisture No recycled paper. Waxed paper: Retains heat Allows moisture to evaporate

Other Choices Plastic wrap: Retains heat and Moisture Peirce the wrap so that steam can escape Plastic Cooking Bags: Avoid Ties Tie the bag loosely with a piece of plastic so the steam can escape

Precautions Safety tips for using Microwave ovens Avoid Damaging doors Don’t operate the oven if the door does not close firmly Do not attach magnets Don’t process home-canned food

More Safety Tips Never use the oven for nonfood items such as drying clothes Never turn the oven on when it’s empty Never heat sealed jars, cans, or bottles Test for leakage every few years