With things such as bolognaise, stir fries etc, I always cook extra servings and freeze for eating later.
I can never get the reheating right! Still cold in the middle, but really hot on the outside.
What are your tips?
Defrost 1st or heat from frozen?? etc.
Thank you

sue62 - 2019-09-14 21:11:00

Use an enamel dish. Defrost first if you can. Cover with tin foil and heat in the middle of the oven. Never had a problem. Don't use a microwave.

strathview - 2019-09-14 21:54:00

1] Defrost first, if possible.
2] otherwise, 2 -3 mins in microwave.
3] preheat oven ( for one plate, use a small benchtop oven, they are cheap as chips new, and often found in Op shops, too)
4] Cover with foil for part of cooking, uncover for a few minutes if needed to be browned.
5] get a meat thermometer, and learn to use it correctly. They're also darn cheap, and help you accurately heat right to the middle - and it's well worth the minimal extra effort to save the risk of cold in the middle food, or even food poisoning from incorrectly heated food. Use them not just for heating frozen meals, but getting your roasts, etc, perfectly cooked.

There are many sites for learning to use a meat thermometer until you get used to it - here's one:
https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniq
ues/grilling/meat-cooking-temperatures

autumnwinds - 2019-09-14 22:45:00

sue62 wrote:

With things such as bolognaise, stir fries etc, I always cook extra servings and freeze for eating later.
I can never get the reheating right! Still cold in the middle, but really hot on the outside.
What are your tips?
Defrost 1st or heat from frozen?? etc.
Thank you

Package smaller/thinner sizes?
Love my 3kw Atag combo microwave/grill/convection oven, has a really fast defrost setting.
as others say, defrost first then look at reheating.

Amazed at frozen precooked chunky cheese sausages, split open with melted cheese, and all over brown skin, in 8mins from Freezer. (mic 350w + max(4)grill)

Edited by gpg58 at 11:38 pm, Sat 14 Sep

gpg58 - 2019-09-14 23:23:00

If you can remove from freezer earlier and leave in the microwave oven to defrost naturally. Otherwise, break the block into smaller pieces and spread around the plate when you reheat - m/o easier to heat edges more than centre of the food.

amasser - 2019-09-15 11:50:00

I defrost in the MW first before reheating. I have a defrost by weight button on my MW which makes it easier.

nauru - 2019-09-15 18:02:00

I have a few tupperware containers with lids and they go from freezer to microwave. Pop the vent and into the microwave. I have different sizes, for 1, 2 or 4 meals and use appropriate size. These are square but I have also got a couple of round divided styles too, so you can separate veg & meat.

landylass - 2019-09-17 21:42:00

Simply pull it out of the freezer in the morning and by dinner time it will have thawed naturally. That's all it takes.

Cook on high for 2-3 minutes and turn over with your knife/fork before eating.

sleek_lizzy - 2019-09-18 01:34:00

Maybe you could freeze the meals with a shot glass in the center. Then when you go to reheat, if you took the glass out, you'd have an empty space in the center to perhaps equalize the heating.

ange164 - 2019-09-18 15:08:00

I'd heat on high for 5 or so minutes, then test and heat again, at a lower heat till hot enough

rainrain1 - 2019-09-18 17:54:00

I defrost first, either on the bench or in the microwave, and then use the reheat function on my microwave - works every time.

sarahb5 - 2019-09-22 20:57:00

landylass wrote:

I have a few tupperware containers with lids and they go from freezer to microwave. Pop the vent and into the microwave. I have different sizes, for 1, 2 or 4 meals and use appropriate size. These are square but I have also got a couple of round divided styles too, so you can separate veg & meat.

I have these too but Sistema have similar containers

sarahb5 - 2019-09-22 20:59:00

I have to defrost my cats frozen chicken mince and if done on high in one microwave only the outside is done,But in the other microwave on medium the heat goes right through,it doesn't use a rotating dish

androth2 - 2019-09-22 21:34:00

androth2 wrote:

I have to defrost my cats frozen chicken mince and if done on high in one microwave only the outside is done,But in the other microwave on medium the heat goes right through,it doesn't use a rotating dish

My dog has chicken mince too - I defrost overnight on the bench or in the pantry - I never defrost on high, I use the defrost setting

sarahb5 - 2019-09-22 22:38:00