Browning reheated food with only a microwave

I recently was given a Corningware Microwave Browner as a gift, which looks very cool and promising, but I have not tried it yet. It seems to me a special apparatus such as this would be necessary for browning in a microwave, because the default conditions inside one are quite far from what is needed for the Maillard reaction.

It got me to thinking: Are there any sure-fire ways to brown meats in a microwave? I don't necessarily need to know how to cook the meat from raw; I'm thinking more about the dry-rubbed steak I grilled last night becoming soggy when I try to reheat it at work. Techniques for raw, of course, are also encouraged if they exist.

We only have access to a microwave, and although I could probably bring in a Foreman grill or something, I have a feeling it would be frowned upon in this particular organization.

I was thinking along the lines of those special sheets of gray "paper" (for lack of knowing the correct term) that come with, say, a Lean Cuisine Panini. Any ideas?

Or, does anyone have any experience with the Corningware Browner (or a similar item) that can offer some tips?

Best Answer

The CorningWare browner works on a simple principle. It is lined with a material that can absorb microwave radiation (just like water does) and therefore become hot. Then when you add your food, the hot surface of the pan browns it. Seems like an effective solution in the situation you describe, where you really want to cook with a hot surface but can't use normal means in the enviroment you are in.

Pictures about "Browning reheated food with only a microwave"

Browning reheated food with only a microwave - Kitchen interior with fruits on table

Browning reheated food with only a microwave - Faceless man with croissant in hand standing in kitchen with cute dog

Browning reheated food with only a microwave - Bearded young black man heating croissant in microwave oven standing near dog

Can meat be browned in microwave?

To brown food in a microwave without a dedicated browning dish, you must first cook the food through all the way. Browning in a microwave is completed after cooking, rather than during cooking. Because microwaves cook from the inside out using superheated molecules, browning raw or uncooked food is not possible.

How do you reheat meat in the microwave without drying it out?

However, reheating anything more than a couple of minutes usually results in dry food.

Place the meat in a microwavable dish.

Add a small amount of water, sauce or oil to the meat and cover with a microwave-safe lid.

Microwave on medium heat for as long as necessary for the food to be evenly and thoroughly cooked.

How long should you reheat meat in the microwave?

Microwave. Before sticking your meal in the nuker, pour a little bit of water on the meat to retain moisture or keep the dish covered with a microwave-safe lid while you zap it. You can reheat meat for up to two minutes in the microwave before it becomes a sad waste of food.

How do you safely reheat food?

Always reheat food until it is steaming hot all the way through (you should only do this once). Do not put food into hot holding without reheating it properly first. Check that reheated food is steaming hot all the way through. If the equipment seems to be working, reheat the dish for longer and then test it again.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Max Vakhtbovych, Max Vakhtbovych, Zen Chung, Zen Chung