A plate of fried foods can be a good wild card, either for a small appetizer or to accompany a first course. Many people use this resource, especially on weekends when you don’t have much time to cook or you don’t really want to have a good time with the stove. It is normal that when it comes to fried foods, whether onion rings, breaded chicken, homemade croquettes, French fries… there are foods that are not consumed and are saved for another day, but what is the best way to return to them? Heat them and make them look like they were freshly made?
It is not difficult to preserve the crunchy texture and flavor if you know how to reheat properly. To do this, you must above all avoid using the microwave because, although it is very useful and is used a lot to heat already cooked dishes, it will easily cause them to remain. soft due to the humidity generated when heating. If it is your only option, place a napkin under the fried foods to absorb excess moisture, although the result will not be as good.
There are many who choose to use the oven and it is true that you get fried foods that are crispy again, but it is not the best method.. The oven consumes a lot of energy and you have to preheat it and then cook the few fried foods that are left over, so if there are few of them there could be more practical and economical options such as air fryers.
However, if you don’t have an air fryer and you don’t want to get complicated, just use a frying pan (it is very important that it is non-stick) and a little olive oil to achieve the best result.
The trick is to put them over low heat to prevent them from overheating too quickly and becoming soft. To do this, they must exceed 70ºC to recover their crispy state.. This method is especially effective for small fried foods such as croquettes or dumplings.
Tips for preheating food
- Choose the appropriate method according to the type.
- Not all foods reheat well in the same way.. For example, fried foods recover their crispy texture best in the oven or pan, while stews or soups are ideal for reheating in a saucepan. The microwave is practical, but it does not always preserve the original texture of food.
- Reheat to the correct temperature.
- It is essential that the food reaches a minimum temperature of 75°C to ensure it is safe to consume. This eliminates possible bacteria. If you use the microwave, be sure to stir the food halfway through to distribute the heat evenly.
- Avoid reheating more than once.
- Reheating food multiple times can increase the risk of bacterial proliferation and also affects taste and quality of the food. The ideal is to heat only the portion that is going to be consumed.
- Add a little liquid when necessary.
- If you reheat dishes such as rice, pasta or baked meats, add a little water, broth or oil to prevent them from drying out.
- Use appropriate containers.
- Be sure to use containers suitable for your chosen reheating method, especially in the microwave. Avoid plastics not suitable for high temperatures and use glass or ceramics.
- Be careful with sensitive foods.
- Some foods, such as rice or spinach, can develop harmful bacteria or compounds if they are not stored and reheated correctly. Be sure to refrigerate them quickly after cooking and heat them evenly.
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