Food Reheating Instructions

You may say what is there to talk about reheating food, just put the food you want to reheat on a plate or bowl and simply microwave…

Over the years, I have learnt many subtle tricks for best ways to reheat food (Indian food and snacks in particular) and still retain the original flavors, textures, taste, etc.  We do not have the luxury of cooking fresh food for each meal, so most of the time we end up eating leftovers or frozen food.

There are lots of theories that microwave cooking is not advisable, but in this fast paced world, am not sure if we can avoid microwave usage completely. I try my best to avoid using microwave to reheat food though.

The following are some general tips for reheating food.  Feel free to adjust the heating time depending on your needs.

Pizza

• Best if reheated in conventional oven.  Or invest in a small countertop oven, it takes less energy and heats food fast. To reheat 2 slices, you would need about 2 mins in “Bake” setting at 350 degrees.
• Another method: Heat a dosa pan or griddle on gas/ electric cooktop.  Put the pizza slices there and cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for about 3 mins.  Your pizza slices will be reheated with crispy bottom and melted cheese on top.  Lift the pizzas every now and then to ensure the bottom does not get burnt.

Nan Bread

• Ovens are best for reheating lots of nan bread, especially for the whole family, or for a party.
• Another quick and easy tip (my favorite) – cut the nan into quarters and toast in bread toasters as you would normally toast bread. You will feel like the Nan bread just came out from the hot Tandoor oven…!!!

Chapathi/ Paratha

• Fold and toast in bread toaster.  If you want to warm them more, unfold and fold the other way and toast again.
• If the chapathis or parathas are large, you can cut them into quarters and toast in bread toaster.

Frozen Multi-layered Paratha (Malabar or any other style)

• Rinse quickly in water for few seconds and heat in dosa pan on both sides.  It will come out moist inside and crispy outside. If you do not rinse in water, it generally comes out a bit dry…

Idli/ Dosa

• Take a plate, spread the idlis or dosas and cover with 2 or 3 wet paper towels (and additionally you can also put a wet paper towel in the bottom as well) and heat for a minute in microwave, increasing cooking time if needed.
• If there are lots of idlis (frozen or cold), best option would be to take the idli steamer, put some water and layer the idlis on an empty plate inside and steam for 5 mins.

Coconut chutney

• Will not taste good if reheated.  Best if taken out from fridge and left outside for few minutes so it can get to room temperature.
• You can also heat the chutney for 10 seconds or so in the microwave, stir and use.
• You can take it in a zip lock bag or container and run it under hot water from the kitchen sink for a few mins.
• You can also add little bit of hot water and mix well.  Adjust salt level if needed.
• I also add some more ingredients to the leftover portion and make more chutney and do the tadka again.

Cold (or frozen) Bajji, Vada

• Oven is best but reheats very well in bread toaster, you will feel the crispiness as if it just came out of hot oil!

Samosa, Puff Pastry

• Definitely use oven for best results. Becomes soggy when microwaved.

Paneer Dishes

• Never overheat it, paneer becomes dry and hard like rubber when overheated.

Dal, Chana Masala etc

• Heat very well, only then the dal or chana will become softer.

Chicken Fry/ Curry/ Biryani

• Chicken does not reheat very well in microwave.  It also gives out some weird odor (I really hate that odor) when reheated in microwave (especially red meat chicken) and also tends to become dry.
• Best results are produced when you take a pan, put little oil (can avoid if it is biryani) and reheat in the pan by stirring for some 2 or three mins.

Hope you try and benefit from the above cool (or hot ?) tips on reheating Indian food and snacks.  Please share under comments section if you have any additional tips to share.

Hope you enjoyed my kitchen tip of the day!