ZAP IT!

1. ZAP IT! A Guide to Microwave Cooking

2. Advantages of Microwave Cooking • Saves time • Easy to clean up • Energy-efficient • Saves nutrients • Use little or no added fat • Cook & serve in the same dish • Ideal for convenience foods

3. Power & the Microwave Oven • Higher power setting = more microwaves produced • MW ovens have different power ratings; measured in watts • Don’t use an extension cord with a MW oven; it reduces its power • MW power is reduced if other appliances are on the same electrical circuit

4. Power Settings • High = 100% • Medium-High = 70% • Medium = 50% • Medium-low = 30% • Low = 10%

5. Defrost • To defrost means to remove ice crystals from a food without cooking the food • Defrost setting on a MW is usually 30% power • Follow a defrost cycle with an equal amount of standing time • Cook food immediately after defrosting; do not hold it for later cooking

6. How does a microwave cook food? • Microwaves are short radio waves. • They cause the molecules in food to vibrate. • Vibration creates friction. • Friction creates heat. • Heat cooks the food. • MW penetrate food about 1½ “ deep. In thicker foods, heat is conducted to the center.

7. Microwaves travel in a straight path • Microwaves are reflected by metal. • Microwaves pass through glass, paper, plastic, and wax. • Microwaves are absorbed by water, fat and sugar molecules in food. • Microwaves are attracted to salt; wait until after cooking to salt the surface of a food.

8. YES Glass Most hard plastic Paper Some pottery & china NO Metal Recycled paper Food storage containers, such as margarine tubs Cookware for the Microwave

9. Shape of Cookware • Ring shape is best choice. • Round is second best choice. • Shallow cookware works better than deep. • Square or rectangular shape is worst choice because corners overcookbefore center is finished.

10. What is arcing? • Arcing is an electrical spark inside the microwave oven. • It looks like lightning! • It occurs when microwaves connect between two points of metal. • It can cause a fire if flammable materials are inside the MW. • It can damage the microwave oven.

11. Automatic Features on the Microwave • Cook 1/Cook 2 • Defrost/Auto defrost • Preprogrammed touch pads • Sensors • Turntable • Temperature probe

12. Covering - holds in steam keeps food moist shortens cooking time cooks more evenly reduces spatters Cover with – Plastic wrap Waxed paper Paper towel Lid When should food be covered?

13. Special Microwave Techniques • Stir, turn or rotate • Standing time • Pierce • Shield • Vent

14. How should I place food in the microwave oven? • Arrange foods in a ring. • Arrange foods like the spokes of a wheel. • Leave space between pieces of food. • Arrange with the thickest parts toward the outside of the ring.

15. Factors that Affect Timing • Hot spots • Density of the food • Shape of the cookware • Size of the food pieces • Starting temperature of the food • Amount of food in the oven at the same time • # of watts of the MW oven

16. Testing dishes & containers • Some equipment may not be labeled whether it is MW-safe. • To test: • Place a Pyrex measuring cup of water in the MW. • Place the equipment to be tested NEXT to the measuring cup. • Microwave for 1 – 2 minutes. • Water should be hot, but equipment being tested should still be room temperature. • If it gets hot, do not use it in the MW.

17. How do I convert my favorite recipes for the microwave? • Shorten time to ¼ the conventional time. • Reduce the amount of seasonings. • Reduce the amount of liquid. • Compare to a similar recipe.