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Should you be reheating these foods using an oven or microwave?

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If you prep your meals for the week ahead or you’re having leftovers for lunch, chances are you don’t have time to reheat food using a stove or oven and thus, resort to reheating your food in a microwave. We’ve all been there…reheating last night’s leftover slap chips in the microwave – just to discard them seconds later from being far too dry to consume.

We’ve compiled a list of microwave do’s and don’ts for you to get the most out of your reheated meals:

Pizza

If you’re just reheating one or two slices of pizza you can use the microwave but be sure to place a cup of water in the microwave when reheating the pizza. This will keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.

Pasta

Ensure you spread your food in an even layer on your plate or bowl to prevent uneven heating.

Rice

Pour some drops of water onto your rice with a dollop of butter when reheating and this will ensure your rice won’t harden.

Soup

You can reheat soup in a microwave but be sure to give it an occasional stir so that your soup is heated through evenly.

Chicken or meat

Reheating your chicken or meat in the microwave could result in a form of tasteless biltong if you don’t add moisture. Add some water to your meats and chicken for a juicier outcome. 

Try to avoid reheating these foods in a microwave and stick to an oven if you can!

Bread

Frozen bread should be reheated in an oven, this will result in a crispy outer crust and a soft and fluffy interior. You can also use a toaster to reheat any frozen or leftover rolls and bread.

Crumbed foods

Food like deep-fried chicken, cheese sticks or arancini: reheating these foods in the oven will ensure they keep their shape and crispy texture.

Fish

Fish reheated in a microwave is a big no-no. The odour is off-putting and if you’re doing this in an office or shared space it is rather inconsiderate. Use the oven to reheat any fish on a low temperature that won’t dry out the fish.

ALSO READ: Office kitchen etiquette – the unspoken rules that everyone should know

How do you reheat your left overs or frozen meals?

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