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Using leftover food is often frowned upon by food experts and dieticians due to the risks of food poisoning and bad taste. If you know how to recook or rewarm food in the right way, you can always store and use it over some time without being worried about health hazards. Even though we have some great suggestions on reheating the staple grain for safe consumption, people are still skeptical about the dangers of reheating rice. Read through to get answers to some common FAQs on this topic.
How to Reheat Rice in Microwave?
Most times, a small microwave is your savior for instant heating and cooking needs. Similarly, it is a boon to your kitchen when it comes to reheating leftovers. Simple and easy to follow to rewarm rice are explained below. We are also keen to hear from you about your experiences after trying our easy hacks. Even better, if you have discovered some novel methods, share it with us.
1. Reheating rice in the oven with a glass of water — 3 steps to get it fluffy and fresh.
- Place the cooked grains in the microwave by spreading it evenly in a bowl
- Fill water up to 2/3 measure in a microwaveable glass tumbler
- Microwave rice and the glass of water together for 2-3 minutes
This method helps in maintaining the moisture intact so that the softness is not lost during the process.
2. Reheat rice using a damp paper towel — for soft and plump looking rice.
- Spread the cooked grains evenly on a plate
- Place a damp paper towel over the rice plate
- Heat it for about 2 minutes while checking on it periodically
While it is the most convenient method, some might not like the idea of a damp towel over the food.
3. Reheat rice using a plastic wrap — to get it evenly heated.
- Take the leftover cooked grains in a large bowl
- Gently sprinkle three to four spoons of water over it
- Place a plastic wrap over the bowl and microwave for few minutes on low heat
- When you notice the plastic wrap ballooning up, switch off the power
- Carefully remove the plastic wrap as escaping steam can burn your fingers.
Get evenly heated grains by following this hack, though it might sound a bit messy.
Having discussed rewarming food in a microwave, the main point to consider is how long to reheat rice in the microwave to get it evenly heated. The best practice is to keep it for a couple of minutes on low heat while continually checking on it to avoid eating brittle or burnt versions. You can also make some fantastic Spanish dish with leftover brown or white versions of the grain.
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How to Reheat Rice Without a Microwave?
People having concerns over microwaving rice reheat or love the traditional methods can try two alternative methods of rewarming. These methods qualify for less messy ways; one needs to be watchful while doing this using a stove or oven.
In the oven —this method might take more time but will ensure your leftover food is piping hot and fresh.
- Take an oven-safe dish and pour rice into it after separating chunks evenly.
- Cover it with the lid or an aluminum foil.
- Set the oven at 300 degrees F and bake it for 20 minutes.
Reheat rice on the stovetop — though this method belongs to the old school, it is probably the most preferred method. 4 simple steps to do it on the stove
- Pour leftover cooked grains into a thick bottom saucepan with a few spoons of water.
- Be sure to break the large chunks.
- Place a lid over the saucepan and heat it on low flame.
- Stir it occasionally so that it gets heated evenly.
- Easy steps on how to reheat rice on the stove are quite useful and handy for those novices who never enter the kitchen except to scour through for food when hunger pangs hit them.
Reheat rice in a rice cooker — these appliances are a convenient and energy-saving way to cook and rewarm your food. You can follow the same steps as above except that you would need to set the timer for heating it evenly. A digital rice cooker also does a fair job in this respect.
Reheat rice in instant pot –while instant pots are a great way to reheat brown rice, it can also be used for reheating white rice as well
- Place the heatproof glass container with one glass of water in a pot
- Leave the container uncovered in the trivet
- Cover the pot with a lid and steam it for 5 minutes and done!
All these methods we discussed above are sure to kill the rice bacteria that may have infested your leftover food if it is kept on medium heat for an adequate amount of time. Do not worry about the most common food poisoning called Fried rice syndrome if you follow these tips for heating your food. That should answer the nagging questions of “Does reheating food kill bacteria”? and “How to properly reheat rice”?
How to Reheat Fried Rice like a Pro?
Are you an ardent fan of Chinese food? You might quite often order your favorite Chinese dish, which comes with extra servings. Reheating fried rice can be done with some additional flavoring of chicken or veggies to give you a healthier version.
- Add olive oil or butter as per your preference on to a heated pan
- Pour the fried rice into the pan with some extra veggies or meat
- Stir it for 5 to 10 minutes on a medium flame until the whole food is warm and the additions are cooked
- Reheat Chinese rice this way to make it more delicious and fresher.
How to reheat sticky rice?
We have help at hand even for the stickiest and messy situation. You can reheat sticky rice the same way using a microwave or stove. However, we would prefer to steam it over the stovetop by adding small measures of water occasionally and stirring it carefully. You can also try out the risotto dish if the grains are overcooked and sticky to give you the perfect Italian delicacy.
While we have explained to you the best ways to use your leftover food, you might still ponder over the thought of whether reheating rice is safe. You can rest assured about its safety by tasting it once. Anything that might give you a stale taste must be avoided, no matter how well you have recooked or rewarmed the food.
For more tips and suggestions on healthy eating, visit mykitchenadvisor.
