ABOUT MICROWAVE COOKING

 

 Let us know about microwave cooking .Microwave ovens are popular for reheating previously cooked foods and cooking vegetables.Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation—waves of electrical and magnetic energy moving together through space.Which penetrates the food and cause the molecules to vibrate at high speed. EM radiation ranges from very high energy (gamma rays and x-rays) on one end of the spectrum to very low energy (radio waves) at the other end of the spectrum

Creating friction and heat, which cooks the food a shorter cooking times’ means that the natural flavor, vitamin and minerals are retained in this process of high-speed agitation of water molecules releases heat that spreads to other parts of the food cooking it evenly. So that you get healthy, oil free food. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap; loosen or vent the lid or wrap to let steam escape. The moist heat that is created will help destroy harmful bacteria and ensure uniform cooking. After the cooking time has ended and proper standing time has been allowed, the temperature of the food should be checked. Remove the food from the microwave .

Types of ovens:

ADVANTAGES OF MICROWAVE COOKING

• A microwave can reheat your food, in seconds while still on the plate you stored it in, reheat in  seconds and serve hot.

• Fast cooking- The most important advantage of cooking with a microwave is the speed it takes to cook food. It can cook the dish within a few minutes, a dish that takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook in any other.

• Oil free cooking- a dieter‘s delight microwave oven cooked food requires very   less oil or no oil.

• Healthy cooking–Giving you the choice of eating healthy food always. Microwave oven cooking food also retains the essential nutrients’ like vitamins B &C., Protein food does not brown when cooked in microwave. This reduced oxidation means that nutrients like vitamin A and E or less likely to be  destroyed.

DISADVANTAGES:

• It heats the food unevenly so the hot food is at the top and the cold food is at the bottom and has to stir frequently to get even cooked food.

• Food may be cooked and served in the same dish 

• Another major advantage is that food is cooked minus the smoke, grease and heat and so the kitchen     remains neat and tidy always..

• According to a growing body of research, The microwave radiation itself can leak out and damage human cells and tissues.

• Microwaved foods have been shown to elevate cholesterol and stress and decrease white blood cells.

• The time taken differs so much that you have to stand and check often if you do not want the food burnt. Eg: popcorn will say 3 minutes on the pack but by that time, it will be burnt.

• Most of the times, the food will lose its natural flavor and food will be mostly over cooked.

• Only specific utensils to be used else will lead to ill effects.

• Heating foods in a microwave in plastic containers not specifically designed for use in a microwave can lead to the transfer of potentially dangerous chemicals from the container into the food.

There are two types of microwave ovens,

1) Simple microwave oven.

2) Microwave and convection oven.

The microwave oven cooks food as well as re-heats it. The convection system heats, browns and dries the surface of the food for crisping. This type of combination cooking is best for tandoori dishes and the convection system alone is best suited for cakes and other pastry – based appetizers that need a flaky crust. But for a microwave/ convection combination cooking, the cookware should be both heat proof and micro safe. For convection cooking  the cookware needs only to be heatproof.

              

USES OF OVEN AND UTENSILS:

MICRO MODE:

1-Re-Heating. 
2-Cooking. 
3-De -Frosting. 
4-Boiling.
5-Main use for gravy items.

USE UTENSILS 

1-Borosil glasses.
2-Micro safe plastic bowls (900).

GRILL MODE -

1- Only for fry items.

USE UTENSILS

1-Non-stick tava.
2-Borosil  glass items.
3-Steel grills.

NOTE - Don't use plastic items.

CONVECTION  MODE -

 1-Only for baking purpose.
 Ex:Cakes, Cookies, Pizza extra.

USE UTENSILS

1-Borosil glasses. 
2-Non-stick tava.
3-Steel grills.

NOTE: Maintenance of microwave ovens is after the use The filters provide are easily removable to facilitate periodical cleaning the turntable should be taken out and cleaned proper maintenance will ensure durability of the oven .The user should carefully read all the instructions in the manual issued by the manufactures along with the product.