Panasonic NN-CD557W, NN-CD567M Operating Instructions

®

Microwave/Convection cookery book Kochbuch für die Mikrowellengeräte Recetario para microondas combinado

La Cuisine Gourmande avec Votre Four Combiné Recettario per forni a microonde combinati

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NN-CD557 NN-CD567

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English

Inverter technology is the key

Inverter technology for microwave ovens has been developed by a Panasonic initiative over a period of more than 10 years. It is the key technology for making a very different type of microwave oven which has a number of special qualities:

•It makes possible the first oven in the industry which controls the amount of microwave energy linearly. This new distribution system allows cooking and defrosting food without losing its flavour.

•It provides efficient conversion of electrical energy to microwave energy, resulting in minimizing power requirements without sacrificing microwave output.

•It allows a dramatic enlargement of oven cavity size even in a compact oven body, due to the small size of the inverter circuit, which replaces the currently used bulky transformer.

•Finally, at the end of the productʼs useful life, not using bulky transformers made of iron makes the process of recycling discarded ovens environmentally friendly.

Contents

Introduction		Recipes
Microwaving Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . .2	Soups and starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.17-18
Quick Check Cookware Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. .3-4	Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.19-20
General Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. .5-6	Meat and Poultry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21-23
Defrosting Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. .7-8	Eggs, Cheese and Snacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	24-25
Tips for Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . .7	Rice, Pasta, Dried Vegetables & Jacket Potatoes . . . . .	26-27
Auto Defrost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . .7	Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	28-29
Defrosting Common Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . .8	Pastry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	30-31
Reheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.9-10	Quiches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	32-33
Reheating by Microwave Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	.9-10	Desserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	34-36
Microwave Cooking Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .11	Cakes and Biscuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37-39
Convection/Bake Cooking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .12	Bread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .40
Grilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .12	Preserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .41
Combination Cooking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	13-15	Italian Dinner Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .42
Combination Cooking - Accessories to Use . . . . . . . . .	. . .16	Chinese Dinner Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	43-44
Guidelines For Using The Recipes In This Book . . . . .	. . .17	Thai Dinner Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . .45

© Copyright by Matsushita Electric UK Ltd 2004.

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Microwaving Principles

Microwaving energy has been used in this country to cook and heat since early experiments with RADAR. Microwaves themselves are in fact present in the atmosphere all the time - both naturally and from manmade sources. Manmade microwaves include radar, radio and television waves, telecommunication links and car phones. If you follow our basic recommendations and keep your oven clean, then it will be completely safe.

Many years ago it was discovered that one of the effects of microwaves is to make water molecules VIBRATE very quickly. Because all foods contain water to a greater or lesser extent, they can quickly be heated by the friction caused by this vibration.

Microwave

Your microwave oven converts electricity into microwaves in the magnetron.

Waveguide

Magnetron

Turntable

Microwaves are REFLECTED off metal, so they bounce off the walls and the metal door screen, back onto the food.

They contain no heat themselves and pass through the cooking container i.e. are transmitted, to be ABSORBED by the water molecules, as well as sugar and fat particles in the food.

STANDING TIME is very important in microwaving, particularly for dense foods i.e. meat and cakes and reheated meals. The dish used to cook or reheat the food will get warm during cooking, as the heat conducts from the food. Even in microwaving, oven gloves are required!

MICROWAVES CANNOT PASS THROUGH METAL AND THEREFORE METAL COOKING UTENSILS CAN NEVER BE USED ON MICROWAVE ONLY.

Foods Not Suitable for Cooking by Microwave

Yorkshire Puddings, Souffles,

Double Crust Pastry Pies

Because these foods rely on dry external heat to cook correctly, do not attempt to cook by microwave.

Eggs boiled in their shells should not be cooked by microwave as they will explode. Foods that require deep fat frying cannot be cooked either.

ACCESSORIES TO USE

Always use the glass tray when using MICROWAVE power only.

DO NOT use any other METAL accessory - this can cause arcing and may damage your oven. (For Combination programs the metal tray is used).

Water Molecule	Absorption	Microwaves can only penetrate to a depth
		of 11/2-2 inches (4-5 cm) and as heat
		spreads through the food by conduction,
		just as in a traditional oven, i.e. the food
		cooks from the outside inwards.
		When a microwave oven is switched off, the
		food will continue to cook by this conduction -
		NOT BY MICROWAVE ENERGY. Hence

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Quick Check Cookware Guide
	Microwave
Oven Accessories	Cooking Containers

English

●Use plain white kitchen towel for short cooking times only.

DO NOT use patterned kitchen towel.

●DO NOT use melamine dishes.

Use plastic dishes only if designed for microwave use.

●DO NOT cook foods high in fat or sugar, or foods that require a long cooking time (e.g. brown rice, Christmas Puddings) in plastic containers.

●Wicker baskets can be used for very short reheating times only - check these items do not have metal staples.

●Take care with pottery items -

DO NOT use unless completely glazed.

●DO NOT use wooden items for cooking - these will dry out and burn.

	Grill
Oven Accessories	Cooking Containers

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Oven Accessories

For more information about combination modes, refer to operating instructions.

Combination

Cooking Containers

●DO NOT place metal containers directly onto wire rack - place onto metal tray.

●DO NOT use spring form tins for cakes.

●DO NOT use enamelled pie plates for cooking pastry items.

●Should arcing occur when cooking by Combination, press the Stop pad twice to cancel the program, then continue cooking on CONVECTION only.

●DO NOT use dishes with a gold/silver decoration, as these will arc and the pattern will lift off the dish.

	Convection
Oven Accessories	Cooking Containers

●DO NOT use plastic microwave containers unless especially designed to take temperatures of 220°C.

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General Guidelines

PIERCING	MOISTURE	CLING FILM
The skin or	CONTENT	Cling film helps
membrane on	Many fresh foods	keep the food
some foods will	e.g. vegetables	moist and the
cause steam to	and fruit, vary in	trapped steam
build up during	moisture content	assists in
cooking. These	throughout the	speeding up
foods must be	season. Jacket	cooking times.
pierced or a strip	potatoes are a	However it should
of skin should be	particular	be pierced before
peeled off before	example of this.	cooking, to allow
cooking to allow	For this reason	excess steam to
the steam to escape. Eggs, potatoes, apples,	cooking times may have to be adjusted	escape. Always take care when removing cling
sausages etc, will all need to be pierced before	throughout the year. Dry ingredients e.g. rice,	film from a dish as the build-up of steam will be
cooking. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BOIL EGGS	pasta, can dry out further during storage and	very hot. Always purchase cling film that states
IN THEIR SHELLS.	cooking times may differ from ingredients	on the packet “suitable for microwave cooking”
	freshly purchased.	and use as a covering only. Do not line dishes
		with cling film.

English

Dense foods e.g. meat, jacket potatoes and cakes, require a STANDING TIME (inside or outside of the oven) after cooking, to allow heat to finish conducting to cook the centre completely.

STANDING TIME

MEAT JOINTS - Stand 8-10 mins. wrapped in tin foil.

JACKET POTATOES - Stand 5 mins. wrapped in tin foil.

LIGHT CAKES - Stand 5 mins. before removing from dish.

RICH DENSE CAKES - Stand 15-20 mins. FISH - Stand 2-5 mins.

EGG DISHES - Stand 2-3 mins.

PRECOOKED CONVENIENCE FOODS - Stand for 5 mins.

PLATE MEALS - Stand for 2-5 mins.

VEGETABLES - Boiled potatoes benefit from standing for 1-2 mins., however most other types of vegetables can be served immediately.

DEFROSTING - It is essential to allow standing time to complete the process. This can vary from 5 mins. e.g. raspberries, to up to 1 hour for a joint of meat.

If food is not cooked after STANDING TIME, return to oven and cook for additional time.

Micro Power			Use
High	1000	W	Reheating meals and sauces, cooking fish, vegetables, sauces, preserves
Defrost	270	W	Defrosting frozen foods
Medium	600	W	Roasting, egg sauces, heating milk, cooking sponge cakes
Low	440	W	Chicken casseroles, quiches
Simmer	250	W	Cooking stews and casseroles, rice puddings, rich fruit cakes, egg custards
Warm	100	W	Softening ice-cream, butter, cream cheese

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General Guidelines

DISH SIZE

Follow the dish sizes given in the recipes, as these affect the cooking and reheating times. A quantity of food spread in a bigger dish cooks and reheats more quickly.

ARRANGING

Individual foods e.g. chicken portions or chops, should be placed on a dish so that the thicker parts are to the outside.

COVERING

Cover foods with microwave cling film or a self-fitting lid. Cover fish, vegetables, casseroles, soups.

Do not cover cakes, sauces, jacket potatoes, pastry items.

QUANTITY

Small quantities cook faster than large quantities, also small meals will reheat more quickly than large portions.

SPACING

Foods cook more quickly and evenly if spaced apart. NEVER pile foods on top of each other.

TURNING AND STIRRING

Some foods require stirring during cooking. Meat and poultry should be turned after half the cooking time.

DENSITY

Porous airy foods heat more quickly than dense heavy foods.

INGREDIENTS

Foods containing fat, sugar or salt heat up very quickly. The filling may be much hotter than the pastry. Take care when eating. Do not overheat even if the pastry does not appear to be very hot.

LIQUIDS

All liquids must be stirred before and during heating. Water especially must be stirred before and during heating, to avoid eruption. Do not heat liquids that have previously been boiled. DO NOT OVERHEAT.

SHAPE

Even shapes cook evenly. Food cooks better by microwave when in a round container rather than square.

STARTING TEMPERATURE

The colder the food, the longer it takes to heat up. Food from a fridge takes longer to reheat than food at room temperature.

CLEANING

As microwaves work on food particles, keep your oven clean at all times. Stubborn spots of food can be removed by using a branded oven cleaner, sprayed onto a soft cloth. Always wipe the oven dry after cleaning. Avoid any plastic parts and door area.

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Defrosting Guidelines

The biggest problem when defrosting food in a microwave is to get the inside defrosted before the outside starts to cook.

For this reason Panasonic have made the defrosting on your oven

CYCLIC DEFROST, just select the 270 watts DEFROST Min pad and

set the required time. The oven then divides this time into 8 stages. These stages alternate between defrosting (total of 4) and standing (total of 4).

During the standing stages there is no microwave power in the oven, although the light will remain on and the turnatable will turn. The automatic stand times ensure a more even defrost and for small items the usual stand time can be eliminated.

Tips for Defrosting

Check the defrosting several times, even if you use the automatic buttons. Observe the standing times.

STANDING TIMES

Individual portions of food may be cooked almost immediately after defrosting

(5 minutes standing time for steaks, 15 minutes for fruit and pastry). It is normal for large portions of food to be frozen in the centre. Before cooking, allow to stand for a minimum of one hour.

During this standing time, the temperature becomes evenly distributed and the food is defrosted by conduction. NB If the food is not going to be cooked immediately, store it in the refrigerator. Never refreeze defrosted food without first cooking it.

JOINTS AND POULTRY

It is preferable to place the joints on an upturned plate or plastic rack so that they are not resting in the juices. It is essential to protect delicate or projecting parts of this food with small pieces of foil to prevent these parts from cooking. It is not dangerous to use

small pieces of foil in your oven, provided they do not come into contact with the oven walls.

MINCED MEAT OR CUBES OF MEAT AND SEAFOOD

Since the outside of these foods quickly defrosts, it is necessary to separate them, break the blocks into pieces frequently while defrosting and remove them when they have defrosted.

SMALL PORTIONS OF FOOD

Chops and chicken pieces must be separated as soon as possible so that they defrost evenly throughout. Fatty parts and the ends defrost more quickly. Place them near the centre of the turntable or protect them.

English

Auto Weight Defrost

This feature allows you to enter the weight in grams and the oven will select the correct defrosting time. Do not use for porous foods e.g. bread, cakes and convenience foods etc.

The turbo defrost system used in Auto Weight Defrost programs uses a random sequence of pulsing microwave energy. This speeds up the

defrosting process, giving a quick and more even defrost.

See Operating Instructions for selection of the grams. During the defrosting process, the oven will beep to remind you to check the food i.e. turn, shield or break the food apart, as shown above.

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Defrosting Common Foods

Select Defrost Power Min 270 W then the approximate time given below.

The times given below are guidelines only. Always check the progress of the food by opening the oven door and then re-starting. For larger quantities adjust times accordingly. It is not essential to cover food during defrosting.

Food	Weight/quantity	Time in minutes	Standing times (minimum) in minutes
MEAT
- joints with bone#	500 g	18-20	60
- roast filleted#	500 g	20-22	70
- chops#	500 g	8-12	15
- cutlets#	250 g	6-7	10
- kidneys*	250 g	7-8	10
- lean beef*	430 g (2)	11-12	10
- entrecôte*	150 g	4-6	10
- minced beef, sausage meat, pork mince*	500 g	10-12	10
- hamburger*	200 g (2)	6-7	10
	400 g (4)	10-12	10
- meat for stewing/braising*	500 g	12-14	15
- whole poultry#	500 g	12-13	60
- poultry pieces#	1 kg (4)	22-24	30
- poussin#	400 g	15	30
- rabbit#	500 g	14-15	30
- pork sausages*	300 g (2)	10-11	15
BUTTER	250 g	2	10
FRUIT COULIS*	200 g	3-4	10
CHEESE*	450 g	3	10
RED FRUIT*	250 g	5-6	10
	300 g	9	10
	500 g	12	10
CAKES AND PUDDINGS
- Victoria Sandwich Cake	400 g (1)	7	10
- Black Forest	550 g (1)	4-5	15
- Bavarois	110 g (1 portion)	8 seconds	15
- raspberry tart	470 g (1)	10	15
CONCENTRATED FRUIT JUICE	200 ml	4	4
PASTRY
- sweet flan or shortcrust*	370 g (block)	4-5	5
- puff*	300 g (block)	3-4	5
FISH
- whole#	400 g (2)	10-12	15
- fillets#	500 g (4)	13-14	15
- fish steak with bone*	380 g (2)	10	15
- thick steaks without bone*	200 g (2)	9	15
- shrimps/prawns*	200 g	7	10

NOTES

# turn this food halfway through defrosting and protect ends and projecting parts with foil.

* stir, turn or separate several times during defrosting.

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Reheating

Many convenience foods are readily available in supermarkets. You may also wish to reheat homecooked food or leftovers. This can all be done safely in your oven, however you must check the food carefully to see if it is piping hot before serving, just as you would in a conventional oven. Chilled foods to be reheated must also be stored correctly.

How do I choose which method to reheat by?

The heat method i.e. Microwave only or Combination, depends on the type of food to be reheated. For foods that do not require browning, reheat by microwave only. For foods that do require browning, reheat by

Combination.

How long do I reheat foods for?

There are reheating charts for Microwave and Combination: these charts give timings that are a guideline ONLY, as the exact time will depend on the weight of the food, size of the dish used and start temperature.

What should I do if the food I am reheating does not appear in the charts?

It is not possible to test every food available for the following charts, however we have selected a great variety of foods, and suggest that by following the guidelines given, you can reheat safely and successfully.

Stirring and Turning

Whenever possible, foods should be stirred or turned over during reheating. This helps ensure that the food reheats evenly on the outside and in the centre.

Standing Time

Many foods require a STANDING TIME after reheating. Standing time is a rest time which allows the heat in the food to continue to transfer to the centre, thus eliminating cold spots. If the food has been covered during the reheating time, then leave the covering on during the standing time. Stand time is particularly important for dense foods e.g. Lasagnes, Gratins, etc and those foods that cannot be stirred during reheating.

When is food reheated?

Reheated food should be served “piping hot” i.e. steam should be visibly emitted from all parts. As long as good hygiene practices have been followed during the preparation and storage of the food, then reheating by microwave or Combination present no added safety risks.

Foods that cannot be stirred should be cut with a knife to test that they are well heated through.

Even if manufacturerʼs instructions or the times in the reheating charts have been followed, it is still important to check that the food is piping hot. If in doubt, always return the food to your oven for further reheating.

English

Reheating by Microwave

Food	Weight/quantity	Fresh	Frozen
DELICATESSEN STARTERS
- croque monsieur	1 piece (170 g)	MAX 1 min	MAX 2 mins 30 secs to 3 mins
	2 pieces (320 g)	MAX 2 mins	MAX 5 mins
- shellfish (1)	1 piece (170 g)	MAX 2 mins	MAX 3 mins
	2 pieces (220 g)	–	MAX 6 to 7 mins
- unfilled pancake (1)	1 piece	MAX 30 secs	–
- stuffed pancake (1) (2)	1 piece (150 g)	MAX 2 mins	MAX 3 to 4 mins
	2 pieces (300 g)	–	MAX 5 mins
- soup (1) (2)	400 g	MAX 4 mins	–
	1 litre	MAX 6 to 7 mins	MAX 11 to 12 mins
- small pizza (1)	1 piece (160 g)	MAX 1 min	MAX 2 mins 30 secs to 3 mins
- small quiche (1)	1 piece (130 g)	600 W 1 min 10 secs	MAX 3 mins
- Nem, Samosa (2)	2 pieces (150 g)	MAX 20 to 30 secs	MAX 4 mins
READY-COOKED DISHES
- stuffed tomatoes (1)	1 piece (170 g)	MAX 2 mins	MAX 6 to 7 mins
- Chilli con Carne (1) (2)	400 g	MAX 3 mins 40 secs	–
- Chicken Korma with rice (2) (3)	350 g	–	MAX 6 mins
- Quenelles (1) (2)	4 pieces (320 g)	440 W 4 mins	–
	6 pieces (240 g)	–	600 W 6 mins
- Snails (1)	12 pieces (100 g)	250 W 3 to 4 mins	440 W 3 to 4 min in their tray
- Gratin dishes (starchy with meat) (1)	300 - 400 g	MAX 3 mins	MAX 8 to 10 mins
	600 g	MAX 6 to 8 mins	MAX 13 to 14 mins
	1 kg	MAX 10 to 11 mins	MAX 16 to 18 mins

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Reheating by Microwave

Food		Weight/quantity	Fresh	Frozen
READY-COOKED DISHES (cont.)
- vegetable gratin (with/without meat) (1)		300-400 g	MAX 3 mins	MAX 8 to10 mins
		1 kg	MAX 10-11 mins	MAX 16-18
- fish gratin (1)		450 g	–	600 W 12 to 15 mins
		1 kg	–	MAX 18 mins + 250 W 5 mins
- fish in sauce (1)		225 g	–	MAX 6 to 7 mins
FILLINGS
- starchy (1)		300 g	MAX 2 to 3 mins	MAX 4 to 5 mins
- vegetables (1)		100 g	MAX 1 min to 1 min 30 secs	–
		200 g	MAX 1 min 30 secs to 2 mins	–
- purée (1) (2)
of potato		200 g	MAX 1 min 30 secs	MAX 4 mins 30 secs
of vegetables		200 g	MAX 1 to 2 mins	MAX 5 mins
		400 g	MAX 3 mins 30 secs	MAX 8 mins
- spaghetti in sauce (1)		210 g	MAX 2 mins	–
		450 g	MAX 4 mins	–
		1000 g	MAX 7 to 8 mins	–
- rice (1)		150 g	MAX 1 min	MAX 2 mins 30 secs
		300 g	MAX 2 mins 30 secs	MAX 4 mins 30 secs
MEAT
- hamburger (raw) (1)		1 piece (150 g)	–	MAX 1 min 30 secs
- pieces of cooked meat
minced steak (1)		100 g	600 W 40 to 50 secs	–
pork 2 pieces (1)		130 g	600 W 1 min 30 secs	–
lamb 2 pieces (1)		160 g	600 W 1 min	–
beef 2 pieces (1)		120 g	600 W 50 secs	–
chicken leg (1)		205 g	MAX 1 min 40 secs	–
MISCELLANEOUS
- baby food		30 g	600 W 15 secs Test	–
(small pot at room temperature)		120 g	600 W 25 secs Test	–
		200 g	600 W 40 secs Test	–
- breakfast pastries (3)		2 x 50 g	–	MAX 30 to 40 secs or 270 W 3 mins
- bread (3)
- sliced sandwich bread		800 g	–	270 W 8 mins
- slice		60 g	–	MAX 40 secs
- baguette		150 g	–	MAX 30 to 40 secs
- 1 wholemeal loaf		500 g	–	MAX 2 mins 30 secs + 1/2 hr stand
- rye bread roll		1 piece (85 g)	–	MAX 40 secs
		3 x 85 g	–	MAX 1 min 10 secs
- muffins		2 x 80 g	–	270 W 3 mins, then rest 5 mins
- sweet pop corn		1 x 100 g	–	MAX 2 mins 40 secs to 3 mins

(1) Cover. (2) Stir halfway through cooking time. (3) Remove packaging and wrap in absorbent paper.

BABY BOTTLES and FOOD JARS - CAUTION

Milk or formula MUST be stirred or shaken thoroughly before heating and again at the end, and tested carefully before feeding a baby.

For 210-240 ml of milk at fridge temperature, remove top and teat. Heat on MAX (1000 W) for 25-30 secs. CHECK CAREFULLY.

For 90 ml of milk at fridge temperature, remove top and teat. Heat on MAX (1000 W) for 10-15 secs. CHECK CAREFULLY.

N.B. Liquid at the top of the bottle will be much hotter than at the bottom of the bottle and must be shaken thoroughly before checking the temperature.

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Microwave Cooking Tips

To soften butter for easy spreading on removal from the fridge

Soften for 35-40 seconds on 270 W (for 150g). Remove any foil beforehand.

Swelling dried fruit

Add 4 tablespoons of water to 200 g of raisins or prunes, (they can be swollen with rum for cakes). Stir and heat on 1000 W for 2 to 3 minutes. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.

Restoring cheese to room temperature

Cheese removed from the refrigerator must be placed in the oven and "warmed" for 30 seconds-1 minute (depending on the size of the cheese) at 250 W.

Blanching almonds or hazelnuts

Cover with hot water and cook for 3-6 minutes on 1000 W (return to boil). Cool, drain and the skin is then easy to remove.

Drying herbs

Place absorbent paper on the turntable. Carefully spread out the finely chopped, fresh herbs on the paper. Repeat several times if necessary.

Heat on 1000 W for a few minutes, checking them every 30 seconds until the herbs begin to dry. Extreme care must be taken to ensure that the herbs do not remain in the oven too long; otherwise, they will disintegrate, and possibly catch fire. Leave the herbs on the absorbent paper for a further 2 hours at room temperature, then store in air-tight containers.

Making caramel

Cook 100 g of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl for 2-

3 minutes on 1000 W, checking halfway-through cooking time. Remove caramel before it becomes darkened since it will continue to cook outside. You can stop the cooking with 2 tablespoons of very hot water (beware of sharp edges).

Liquifying hardened honey

Remove the lid to the pot, place in oven and heat on 250 W for 30-

50 seconds, depending on the quantity. Stir and repeat if necessary.

Croutons in minutes

Cut two slices of white bread into small cubes. Spread out these cubes on a plate. Heat on 1000 W for 2 minutes then allow to stand for 5 minutes. You can rub a clove of garlic on the slices of bread before cutting them or drizzle with a few drops of olive oil.

How to obtain more juice from an orange or a lemon

Before squeezing, place orange or lemon in microwave for 30-40 seconds on 1000 W, then squeeze immediately; this will produce more juice.

Melting butter

100g of butter in a ramekin dish covered with a saucer will melt in around 1 minute at 600 W.

Melting chocolate

Break 100 g chocolate into little pieces into a bowl and heat at 600 W for 2-21/2 minutes (the time may vary depending on the cocoa and sugar content). Stir at least once during cooking.

Leaving dough to prove

Place the covered dough in the oven and heat for around 5 minutes on 270 W (for 500 g of dough). Leave the dough in the oven (away from air currents) until it has doubled in volume.

Making mulled wine

In an ovenproof glass (or mug), mix together 20 CL of red wine, the zest of a lemon, a pinch of cinnamon, one clove and 2-4 teaspoons of sugar according to taste. Heat on 1000 W for 1-11/2 minutes.

"Deodorise" your oven

To rid your oven of that "fishy" smell, place a bowl of white wine vinegar or water with the juice of a lemon inside the oven. Heat on 1000 W for 5 minutes. Wipe off the steam that collects on the oven walls.

Preparing a hot compress

Heat a clean, damp, folded cloth on a plate for 1-2 minutes on 1000 W. Check temperature before applying the cloth.

English

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Convection/Bake Cooking

Your oven can be used as a conventional oven using the CONVECTION/BAKE mode, which incorporates rear heating element with a fan to circulate the air on the CONVECTION/BAKE mode.

Fan assisted ovens are very efficient therefore foods can be cooked quickly at a lower

temperature, saving time and energy when the CONVECTION/BAKE mode is used.

When using the oven on CONVECTION/ BAKE there is NO microwave power, i.e. the oven is operating as a conventional oven and you can use all your standard metal baking tins and ovenware.

REMEMBER: If the CONVECTION mode is used, in most instances it will be necessary to reduce the temperature by 20°C when using cooking temperatures stated in other cookbooks.

Grilling

There are 3 GRILL settings: 1, 2 and 3. Most meat foods can be cooked on the hottest GRILL 1 setting. GRILL 2 and 3 settings are used for more delicate foods, or those that require a longer grilling time e.g. chicken portions. Unless otherwise stated in a chart or recipe, always use GRILL 1 setting.

Approximate Times for Grilling (GRILL 1)

	First side	Second side
Steak (4 pieces, well done)	10-12 mins.	10-12 mins.
Loin of pork (slices)	12-14 mins.	10-12 mins.
Porkchops	12-14 mins	12-14 mins.
Kebabs	12-14 mins.	approx. 12 mins.
Sausages	7-8 mins.	6-8 mins.
Chicken legs	15-20 mins.	15-20 mins.
Toast	4-5 mins.	3-4 mins.

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Combination Cooking - Convection + Micro Power

Combination cooking is ideal for many foods. The microwave power cooks them quickly, whilst the oven gives the traditional browning and crispness. All this happens simultaneously, resulting in most foods being cooked in 1/2-1/3 of the conventional cooking time.

FOODS NOT SUITABLE FOR

COMBINATION COOKING

Not all foods are suited to cooking by this method and in many cases small items which cook quickly by CONVECTION will not gain anything by being cooked by Combination.

English

Biscuits

Boneless Convenience Joints

Meringues

Rich Fruit Cakes

Souffles

Small pastry items with a very moist filling

Unboiled Gammon

Whisked Sponge Cakes

The chart below describes the oven temperature and microwave power which will enable you to adapt your favourite recipes to Combination cooking and also when using the many Combination cookery books available.

	Oven Temperature	Microwave Power		Use
	220°C	100 W	Cooking:	Chicken Portions and Breasts, Crisp Baked Potatoes, Chops
			Reheating:	Pizza, Garlic Bread, Savouries
			Cooking:	Pastry Pies, Pizza, Bread,Quiche,
	220°C	250 W		Chicken Portions in Breadcrumbs
			Reheating:	Lasagnes, Cannelloni, Cauliflower Cheese
	190°C	100 W	Cooking:	Custard Tarts, Sponge-based Puddings
	190°C	250 W	Roasting:	Chicken, Duck, Turkey
			Cooking:	Lasagnes, Gratins
	170°C	440 W	Roasting:	Joints of Lamb, Beef, Pork
	160°C	100 W	Cooking:	Casseroles, Rice Puddings, Meat Terrines

Foods that should be cooked on Combination + Microwave power, are meat recipes and egg dishes, as this reduces shrinkage.

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