Abstract: A method and food product structure are provided for controlling heating of multi-component foods in a microwave oven. The structure and method include the use of a layer of edible substance with preselected properties and positioned adjacent to one or more food items to control the amount of transmitted microwave power to the adjacent food. The shield layer of edible substance has properties selected in relation to the other food substance such that effective shielding is achieved which will reliably control the heating of the shielded food in the time required for heating one or more portions of the multi-component food product. With preselected values for thickness and dielectric properties of the shield layer and the thermal masses of the shield layer and the other components, the amount of energy transmitted to the shielded food component and its final temperature can be effectively and reliably controlled.

Abstract: A method and food product structure are provided for controlling heating of multi-component foods in a microwave oven. The structure and method include the use of a layer of edible substance with preselected properties and positioned adjacent to one or more food items to control the amount of transmitted microwave power to the adjacent food. The shield layer of edible substance has properties selected in relation to the other food substance such that effective shielding is achieved which will reliably control the heating of the shielded food in the time required for heating one or more portions of the multi-component food product. With preselected values for thickness and dielectric properties of the shield layer and the thermal masses of the shield layer and the other components, the amount of energy transmitted to the shielded food component and its final temperature can be effectively and reliably controlled.