Reheating in the oven: why and how?
I recently made some pan-fried chicken breast halves. When I wanted to reheat the leftovers I tried to do it in the conventional oven instead of the microwave oven as usual. Following some instructions on the Internet, I preheated to 450 °F, put two chicken breast halves from the refrigerator on a baking sheet, covered with aluminum foil, and then put in the oven for 10 min. In the end, the chicken was pretty tepid. I resorted to putting them in the microwave oven under plastic wrap for 1 min and they were fine.
This raises two questions for me:
- What did I miss out on by using the microwave in the end instead of sticking to the oven?
- How should I have heated these up in the oven instead of what I did? I worry about overcooking or burning the food.
Best Answer
1. You miss out on nothing. You do risk overcooking in the Microwave, as all you need to do is reheat, so be careful with the timing
I use a glass bowl with lid, or reusable silicone lid instead of messy plastic wrap. Usually much nicer that way, as it can sweat in plastic wrap and go mushy
2. Re-heating in the oven is not ideal for delicate food. OK for Pizza, but for food that can go tough quickly is tricky. Either use the nukelator or a medium hot skillet. The skillet will only work if there is plenty of sauce or oil
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Quick Answer about "Reheating in the oven: why and how?"
Is it better to reheat food in the oven?
Oven. The oven isn't optimal for a stir-fry or anything saut\xe9ed or steamed, but you can definitely reheat casseroles. Same with the types of food above\u2014keep the heat low, around 200-250 degrees. Cover with foil or an oven-safe lid until the last few minutes to help keep the dish moist and fresh.How do you reheat food in the oven without drying it out?
To ensure foods like casseroles and roast meats do not dry out while reheating in the oven, just cover them with foil. Use a low-temperature like 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook until the dish is just heated through, depending on the item this could be anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes.What is the best method of reheating?
The toaster or toaster oven is usually my go-to reheating appliance because it provides even, gentle heating. If you're worried that food will dry out, just cover it with foil. Aim for a low-temperature oven (no more than 350\xb0F), and check on your food once in a while until it's heated through.What is the main reason for reheating cooked food well?
Cooking and reheating are the most effective ways to eliminate bacterial hazards in food. Most foodborne bacteria and viruses can be killed when food is cooked or reheated long enough at sufficient high temperature. The core temperature of food should reach at least 75\u2103.Kitchen Tips : How to Reheat Food in a Conventional Oven
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