Tips For Reheating Leftovers From Your Favorite Restaurant

Posted on: 26 July 2017

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A trip to your favorite restaurant may be the highlight of your week. However, it is common for restaurants to serve portions that are larger than many people can eat. In these situations, individual may want to avoid leaving their leftovers behind, but they may be unsure of the best ways for protecting the quality of the leftovers until they are ready.

Transfer The Food To An Airtight Container

Most restaurants will use styrofoam or plastic boxes to pack their patron's leftovers. While these boxes can be more than sufficient to safely get your leftover food home, you will want to transfer the leftovers to an airtight container as soon as you get home. The air in the refrigerator will be extremely dry due to its low temperature. This can allow it to rapidly draw out the moisture from the leftovers, which can severely degrade the taste and texture of the food. By transferring the food to an airtight container, you will greatly reduce the amount of moisture that is lost this way.

Be Aware That The Microwave Should Be Used As The Last Option

The way that you reheat your leftovers can be one of the most important factors in determining the quality of the food. Unfortunately, many people will want to use a microwave as this will be the quickest way to reheat the food. However, a microwave can generate intense and rapid heat that can significantly change the texture of many dishes. Using a skillet or oven will almost always be a better option as it will warm the food in an even and gradual manner, which can avoid these issues. If you must use a microwave, you should reheat the dish in bursts that last for no longer than ten seconds. This will help to avoid the risk of overheating the food and ruining its original consistency.

Replenish The Food's Moisture

Prior to reheating the food, you may want to add a very small amount of water to the skillet or food. During the hours while the food has been waiting, some of its moisture will have evaporated. If you transferred the dish to an airtight container, it will greatly reduce the amount of moisture that is lost, but it may still be beneficial to add a small amount of water to the food. In most instances, you will only need a teaspoon of water to replenish the moisture in the dish without making it soggy.

Contact a restaurant that offers a happy hour for more information and assistance.