Anonymous
08/15/2013 16:17
Subject: s/o of all the 'getting dinner done fast' posts -- what reheats well?
Two tips:
1. Freeze food in individual servings - get a ton of freezer-to-oven safe ramekins, so you can just pull one out and shove it in the oven/toaster oven
2. Most things reheat well, but you need to choose the right heating method. I don't have a microwave, because I think they just make food inedibly hot and then stone cold when all the excited molecules calm down. I heat thick/dense things in the oven and soupy/stewy things on the stove, adding extra water/stock/wine if needed.
1. Freeze food in individual servings - get a ton of freezer-to-oven safe ramekins, so you can just pull one out and shove it in the oven/toaster oven
2. Most things reheat well, but you need to choose the right heating method. I don't have a microwave, because I think they just make food inedibly hot and then stone cold when all the excited molecules calm down. I heat thick/dense things in the oven and soupy/stewy things on the stove, adding extra water/stock/wine if needed.
Anonymous
08/15/2013 14:10
Subject: s/o of all the 'getting dinner done fast' posts -- what reheats well?
Cous cous reheats well. Either chop veg into it the day if the meal or pre chop and store in a separate container (same with chicken).
Quiche reheats marvelously and you can freeze it too after making several in the weekend.
Enchiladas work well since they are meant to be soft and kinda mushy.
Instead of lasagna I make stuffed jumbo shells or manicotti since those are easier to parse out in individual servings and can last all week. Make as healthy as you like: I do spinach and ricotta with a limited amount of mozzarella.
Curries reheat well especially potato ones
All varieties of dal for a rice and beans variation
Oh and I do corn on the cob in the microwave (husk just the outer green part and put in for 2-3 min and its done!)
Quiche reheats marvelously and you can freeze it too after making several in the weekend.
Enchiladas work well since they are meant to be soft and kinda mushy.
Instead of lasagna I make stuffed jumbo shells or manicotti since those are easier to parse out in individual servings and can last all week. Make as healthy as you like: I do spinach and ricotta with a limited amount of mozzarella.
Curries reheat well especially potato ones
All varieties of dal for a rice and beans variation
Oh and I do corn on the cob in the microwave (husk just the outer green part and put in for 2-3 min and its done!)
Anonymous
08/15/2013 14:09
Subject: Re:s/o of all the 'getting dinner done fast' posts -- what reheats well?
Quiches - easy to make, very versatile. You can put anything in them. They also taste good at room temperature, which is handy.
Soups - also very versatile.
Stews, Curries - while reheating, cook rice in your rice cooker.
Pasta casseroles.
Savory Pies - again very versatile, put anything in them.
Soups - also very versatile.
Stews, Curries - while reheating, cook rice in your rice cooker.
Pasta casseroles.
Savory Pies - again very versatile, put anything in them.
Anonymous
08/15/2013 14:01
Subject: Re:s/o of all the 'getting dinner done fast' posts -- what reheats well?
If you cook chicken breasts (bake em or grill em or whatever) in advance and then just chop them up when you're ready to use them, you can make tacos, salads, add to pasta, etc.
Marinara and other red sauces heat up well. White sauces and cheese sauces tend not to. Most veggies I've tried to reheat have been terrible - especially asparagus and peppers.
Honestly, 20 minutes is not that long. I know it seems like a lot, but if you have to reheat stuff anyway and set the table and such, it'll be 20 minutes anyway. Multi-tasking is your friend.
Marinara and other red sauces heat up well. White sauces and cheese sauces tend not to. Most veggies I've tried to reheat have been terrible - especially asparagus and peppers.
Honestly, 20 minutes is not that long. I know it seems like a lot, but if you have to reheat stuff anyway and set the table and such, it'll be 20 minutes anyway. Multi-tasking is your friend.
Anonymous
08/15/2013 13:53
Subject: s/o of all the 'getting dinner done fast' posts -- what reheats well?
one of these posts had a few suggestions, I'm hoping for more. What can be totally cooked ahead on the weekend, or even in the afternoon during naptime, that can simply be reheated at dinner time? With kids schedules and everyone coming and going, even 20 minutes to cook seems like a lot. Making it worse is that I'm not a great cook.. so that easy recipe that takes you 20 minutes takes me a lot more time.
The idea that got me thinking was someone suggested making pasta ahead of time. I know, nothing could be easier than boiling water and pasta a night. Except for maybe throwing already al denta pasta into a great ragu that was made on the weekend and just microwaving it. Less mess, too, which cuts down on several pots and pans to wash afterward.
So, of course, I know chilis, stews, pasta sauces.. What else?
The idea that got me thinking was someone suggested making pasta ahead of time. I know, nothing could be easier than boiling water and pasta a night. Except for maybe throwing already al denta pasta into a great ragu that was made on the weekend and just microwaving it. Less mess, too, which cuts down on several pots and pans to wash afterward.
So, of course, I know chilis, stews, pasta sauces.. What else?