Directions for Reheating

Reheating your cold food is important to ensure it is served at the right temperature. Reheating a dish will also restore some of the original taste and texture from when it was freshly prepared. Food can be reheated in the microwave or oven. It is important to learn the correct technique for each appliance to ensure proper reheating.

Microwave

1. Spoon your food onto a microwave safe plate. Never put metal in the microwave. This can cause serious injury, possible fire and destruction of your appliance.


2. Set the proper cooking temperature. Most microwaves have a “low” and “high” setting. If you are reheating a side dish, such as a vegetable use a “low” setting. If you are reheating a larger dish, such as a piece of meat, use a “high” setting. This will ensure the food is reheated thoroughly.


3. Set the timer on the microwave. If you are unsure of the proper time needed, start with a low time, such as one minute.  Carefully check the dish for proper warmth. If the dish is still cool, insert the dish for additional time. Continue this until the dish is heated through.


4. Allow the dish to cool for approximately two minutes before eating.

Oven

1. Preheat the oven to the appropriate temperature. Reheating food does not require a high temperature, as this can cause the food to become over-cooked. Preheating the oven between 250 and 325 degrees will be sufficient.


2. Place your meal or dish on a baking sheet or another cooking pan.


3. Slide the food into preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Check the dish frequently to ensure you are not overcooking the food.


4. Use a potholder and remove reheated food from oven. Allow the food to sit for five minutes before eating

When reheating food it is important to use the right cooking utensils as well as the right dishware. Plastic utensils are not recommended for reheating as they can melt. Plastic containers contain gasses that can sometimes seep into the meal and cause the original flavor to be lost.