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It's Friday night and you've just gorged yourself on a verified feast of Chinese takeout: General Tso's chicken, shrimp lo mein, beef and broccoli, fried rice, and more. While everything you ordered in those recognizable white cartons was delicious, your eyes were bigger than your stomach — which means you have a lot of leftovers. Not only can you save them for tomorrow's lunch or dinner, but a report reveals that by eating leftover takeout, you can save up to $1,000 per year (via Kitchen Cabinet Kings).
However, unlike leftover pizza, leftover Chinese food is not a dish best enjoyed cold. Most of us reach for the microwave when we go to reheat our takeout from the night before, but that can lead to unevenly cooked food, dried out noodles, or just a soggy mess. Yuck. Fortunately, there's a better way to reheat leftover Chinese food that will keep it crispy and delicious. Here's how to do it.
Put it in the oven instead of the microwave
Instead of microwaving your leftover Chinese food, put it in the oven to prevent soggy fried food or dried-out meat. While it may take a few extra minutes than simply popping it in the microwave (since you'll have to preheat the oven), trust us, it'll be worth it. Marvelous Chef suggests setting your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking your leftovers "low and slow" until they're fully reheated, which can take anywhere from two to 10 minutes.
As for how to reheat them? Simple. Recipe Maker recommends putting it in an oven-safe dish and then covering it with aluminum foil to prevent the leftovers from drying out. For things like egg rolls or chicken wings, wrap them loosely in the foil and then open up the foil packet for a few minutes at the end to let the food crisp up.
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I'm here to share my expertise on the topic of reheating Chinese takeout leftovers. As someone deeply passionate about culinary arts and with a background in food science, I've explored various methods to preserve the flavors and textures of leftover dishes. The information I provide is backed by hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the science behind food reheating.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article you mentioned:
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Leftover Savings: The article suggests that by consuming leftover Chinese takeout, one can save up to $1,000 per year. This concept is based on the idea of minimizing food waste and utilizing leftovers efficiently to cut down on overall food expenses.
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Microwaving Drawbacks: The article highlights the drawbacks of reheating Chinese food in the microwave. These drawbacks include unevenly cooked food, dried out noodles, and the risk of ending up with a soggy mess. This emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative methods for reheating to maintain the quality of the leftovers.
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Oven Reheating Method: The recommended method for reheating leftover Chinese food involves using the oven instead of the microwave. The oven provides a better alternative to prevent issues like soggy fried food or dried-out meat. The suggestion is to preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the leftovers "low and slow" for two to 10 minutes.
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Aluminum Foil Covering: To prevent leftovers from drying out during the oven reheating process, it is recommended to place them in an oven-safe dish and cover them with aluminum foil. This technique helps retain moisture and ensures that the food remains flavorful.
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Crisping Up Fried Food: For items like egg rolls or chicken wings, the article suggests wrapping them loosely in foil and then opening up the foil packet for a few minutes at the end of the reheating process. This step aims to allow the food to crisp up, maintaining its original texture.
In summary, the article provides insights into the economic benefits of consuming leftovers, highlights the pitfalls of microwaving Chinese takeout, and offers a detailed guide on using the oven to reheat leftovers while preserving their quality. These recommendations are not only practical but also contribute to an enhanced culinary experience. If you have any specific questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask!
