For a second rise, pop it in a non-metal pan, cover with greased cling film and set on low for 5 minutes. Set for 10-14 minutes on the low setting until the dough has doubled in size. To do so, cover the bowl of dough with greased cling film, and put the bowl into a shallow dish of warm water. This very low setting can also be used to soften ice cream (30 seconds to a minute depending on how hard it is) or proof bread dough if you don’t have a suitable warm spot for it. If any parts are still slightly frozen, rinse under cold water and pat dry with kitchen roll. Allow these to defrost naturally, since additional microwave defrosting will tend to dry out the meat.

Once the time has elapsed, the turkey should still feel cold and have a few remaining ice crystals. For the best defrosting results, allow 5-9 minutes per 450g, remove all packaging (since this can retain heat, which starts to cook the meat) and separate into portions where possible, with the thickest parts of the bird facing outwards. The lowest microwave settings are ideal for keeping food warm and gentle defrosting of large items, such as chicken or a turkey weighing less than 2.25kg.

Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to have presets on your model, check the instructions to find out the range of foods for which they work best. However, each will show their maximum power (for example, 900W) so you should be able to work out where their settings sit with the guide below. Others can be cooked using a mix of high and low power, such as rice, where the high power can bring the water to a boil, then a lower setting can simmer the grains to fluffy perfection.Ĭonfusingly, not all microwave settings are presented in the same way: some will list power levels by wattage some by defrost, low, medium and high others by numbered power levels. This is because some foods are more suited to a low and slow approach, rather than a relentless blast of high power. Just as you would adjust the temperature on your oven or your hob, adjusting the microwave power settings can make all the difference to the finished dish. But the result can be meals that are either overcooked or unevenly heated. Microwaving food is so simple that the temptation to put it in, hit start and walk away is often irresistible.

Max power half min hero