What can you and CAN'T you reheat in a microwave....

Revolution · #1 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 06:37 AM

Does anybody know of some comprehensive instructions on what you can and can't reheat in a microwave?

I am constantly looking for "packed lunch" ideas to take to work with me. We have two microwaves at work and I'd love to take food with me and heat it in the microwave.

For instance, could you reheat burgers? Or is that a real no no??

lvdkeyes · #2 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 07:46 AM

You can reheat most foods in a microwave, but bread tends to get tough and chewy. If you want to reheat a burger, but remove the bun first. Peas tend to explode, so be sure to cover the food to avoid a mess in the microwave. Don't cook eggs in a microwave unless you break the membrane surrounding the yolk. They will explode and sometimes even after you remove them from the microwave.

KW probably knows where you can get more detailed information. She seems to know everything relating to food.

Revolution · #3 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 09:33 AM

I have noticed that about KW!

Thanks for the reply - it's cleared a few things up for me. I'm actually going to try a low carb diet which requires you to get some red meat in your diet, and it's hard to eat high protein and low carb when you're on the go, but the fact that you can reheat burgers etc in a microwave means I can have burgers, meatballs, all that kind of stuff.

I may adapt the burger king whopper recipe in Vol 1 of Secret Recipies, obviously without the bun though!

Thanks!

Kitchen Witch · #4 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 10:03 AM

Hey Revolution how's it going??

Looks like my reputation preceeds me! LOL!

One thing for sure - never put aluminim foil, aluminum tins, or cans in the microwave! And there are many plastic wraps that cannot be used in the microwave because they leech into your foods. SAFETY FIRST!

If you want to bore yourself with microwave information - check out the Cooking Tips and Chat forums - just type in microwaves - you'll get lotsa boring stuff.

Ok - now back to microwave and foods. Have I ever used a microwave - YES - of course I have. Do I own one - YES - of course I do. Do I use it to cook or re-heat foods - NO. I use it for wax - for my brows - hurts on the legs too much - LOL!

SECRETS EXPOSED! I know-----I am probably the only woman in the world with a small microwave on her linen closet shelf next to the hair dryer.

I tried microwave popcorn in it - I love popcorn. But all that hub-bub about the microwave popcorn and cancer - well - after that box of 6 packages was gone - the microwave was retired to the "waxing" department.

Personally - I do not like microwaves - I guess I'm just too old-fashioned.

They are used in just about every restaurant to heat/re-heat many foods.

Mayonnaise is something that should never be put in the microwave.

So moving on - use a microwavable plastic wrap or waxed paper, or you can use good old cheapie paper plates and even paper towels to place things on.

Foam plates and cups also leech some of the "good stuff" into your foods. You need to be careful - ditto with some of the waxy coated paper plates.

And you can purchase plastic food containers that will go into the microwave that are safe to use.

On to the foods - of course you can warm your burgers. You can warm just about anything. Just watch the lenth of time you are warming. Better to start slow and easy; stir or turn over half way through. Sometimes, meats, etc. will turn into shoe leather. You can also "cover" your food in the microwave with a paper towel - just lay it on top loosely.

Lvdkeyes is right on the button with eggs. My neighbor made himself a hard-cooked egg in the microwave - and as he was eating it - it exploded in his mouth and he suffered some nasty burns. He got no sympathy from his wife - she told him - anytime you nuke something you are supposed to wait 3 minutes for the nuclear energy to stop running around inside the food so you can eat it without that happening! (I like her - she is so blunt!)

Just watch your timing (every microwave is different as far as wattage, etc. goes) and start slow - turn over or stir halfway through your heating process and you should be fine. Experiment with different foods. My microwave said to nuke popcorn for a certain amount of time - burned the first bag. I should have been smart enough to count the "pops" and the seconds between - but of course - it was experimental and I wanted to see if I would like the gizmo.

Give your foods a try - just take it slow. And remember my neighbor's wife - her rule is - wait 3 minutes for the nuclear energy to stop running around inside the food so you can eat it!

(OK - it's not nuclear energy - but it's the way she said it that made it funny - she never used a microwave and has no desire - it was HIS idea.)

Happy microwaving! Holler if you need anything - we are here to help. And do let us know how it worked for you!

KW

Kitchen Witch · #5 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 10:05 AM

Oh - BTW - there are a lot of foods you can have on a low-carb diet! I signed up for Ron's newest site - Best Weight Loss Program | Lose Belly Fat and I hope you get to read some of what is written there. It's got everything - too bad this diet didn't come out a long time ago!

Revolution · #6 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 11:45 AM

That is great! Thanks for the advice.

I must admit - I'm not a fan of microwaves myself, I don't think you can beat the taste of food that has been cooked properly.

However, for heating things up at work, it's going to be really good to have something hot, rather than relying on sandwiches and salads. And of course if you are watchnig the carbs, Sandwiches are a problem.

I'll check that site out....

Kitchen Witch · #7 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 12:11 PM

Revolution -

You're welcomed. Sandwiches won't be a problem with low carb dieting -
instead of using bread or a lousy tasting low-carb (cardboard) bread - use lettuce leaves as your bread!

Just pack them separate from your sammies so that they don't sog up on you! assemble at work! Or make them into a wrap.........

Enjoy!

KW

lvdkeyes · #8 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Generally I use my microwave for melting butter or chocolate or reheating. One food I found microwaves excellently is asparagus. I add a small amount of water and cover it with a microwaveable plastic wrap. It comes out perfectly.

Revolution · #9 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Now that is a great Idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchen Witch

Revolution -

You're welcomed. Sandwiches won't be a problem with low carb dieting -
instead of using bread or a lousy tasting low-carb (cardboard) bread - use lettuce leaves as your bread!

Just pack them separate from your sammies so that they don't sog up on you! assemble at work! Or make them into a wrap.........

Enjoy!

KW