Use the oven
Perhaps one of the easier ways to reheat your food is to use an oven. Most foods that were originally baked, roasted, or even fried do well in the oven. Investing in oven-safe storage containers is good practice, as you can easily take the food out of the refrigerator and place them straight in the oven. When you do use the oven, note that the time needed to reheat your food depends on how thick and cold it is.
If you're living by yourself, then you don't need to purchase a full-sized oven. A countertop oven will do just as well. A toaster oven is good for much smaller dishes. Additionally, if you don't want the surface of your food to come out crispy, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
Use the stovetop
If you find your food drying out too much or too quickly in the oven, then the stovetop method might be what you need. Just bring out a pot or pan, toss your food in, and heat it up on the stove.
There are many ways to use the stovetop. If you want your food to be somewhat firm, it's best to sauté it using a small amount of oil or water over medium-low to medium-high heat. If your food doesn't need to be crispy, simply reheat it in a saucepan over low to medium heat. If you're going to eat food that's been steamed or cooked in water, then re-steaming it is the way to go. You can elevate a heat-safe container inside a pot of boiling water if you don't have access to a steamer or steaming basket.
Use a portable crockpot
Keeping your food microwave free at work can be a daunting task. To avoid having to use the rec room microwave, consider investing in a portable crock pot. This way, you can enjoy your home-cooked meal away from home. While it make take one to two hours to reheat your food, it's well worth the wait.
Use the refrigerator
This isn't exactly a way to reheat your food. However, using the refrigerator does make it easier to do so, especially with frozen foods. Place your food inside your refrigerator and let it defrost until thawed. This could take anywhere from a few hours to an entire night. It all depends on the type and size of the food, so don't hesitate to experiment and find out which works best for you.
Use water
Like the above point, this is simply another way to defrost your food in preparation for reheating. This method works best if you're pressed for time and need to quickly defrost a food. Simply place the container of food in cold water at room temperature and leave to sit for as long as needed. You can also do this with a container of water in the refrigerator if you've got slightly more time on your hands.
Eating healthy isn't just about using the best ingredients and carefully portioning your meal. How you prepare your food also counts for a lot. Do yourself a big favor and do away with the microwave. There are other, safer ways to reheat your food that don't involve stripping it of what makes it good for you.
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