Used the wet paper towel trick for the microwave

[question everything]

I don't know if it is a trick. I just tried it.

On Thanksgiving we ate at India Palace. We have been there for a lunch buffet but this time it was late so it was a sit down dinner. We should have looked closer at how many pieces there are in the Tandori Chicken, because we ordered two servings and it was.. a lot.

So we took the rest home. Yesterday decided to heat it in the oven, spritzed a bit of water, 20 min at 350 was still good.

But... we did not finish them. So few more pieces for lunch. But did not want to put them in the oven again, or simply in the microwave.

So I soaked a few sheets of paper towel and covered the chicken pieces. Two min and they came nice, warm and moist.

Even used them on top of the balsamic rice to hear and it was good too.

OK, so I've learned a new trick. Or is it?

[catbyte]

1. I do it all the time. It's also a good way to reheat naan in the microwave so it doesn't

come out hard as a rock. Soak paper towels & completely wrap the naan in the wet towels. Heat at 50% for 40-50 seconds & you have moist, hot, naan that doesn't turn into a hockey puck when it cools down. We ate Indian for Thanksgiving, too. It was awesome. I just ate the last leftovers tonight. Yum!

[PJMcK]

2. I'm curious

What made you think to moisten the paper towels?

[question everything]

3. Because the alternative would have dried them

They are heavily baked to begin with so I wanted to moisten them. I do add a bit of water whenever I reheat leftover in the microwave, like pasta.

Thus I decided that the soaked paper towels would just sit on top of them, not tightly, just provide some steam. I did cover the dish with the regular microwave cover that prevents splatters.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Widely recommended for baked goods, especially.

Can't remember where I first saw it, but it was years ago.

[shraby]

5. I never thought of doing that. Thanks.

[rusty quoin]

6. In cooking and reheating water is an important player. Every time you cook, it removes water.

So good what you did.

[mitch96]

12. So basically your microwave steaming them?? n/t

[rusty quoin]

18. With the wet paper towel I suppose to a degree, but more importantly it adds water.

[dweller]

7. sounds like a good trick

I'm personally opposed to cooking with paper anything , just my pet peeve
(I don't know what's in the paper, chems, bleach etc)
as an alternative learn to use the power settings in your mic
1/2 power for warming leftovers, for a few extra mins will not scorch or overcook
even lower powers for longer for delicate items such as seafood etc

I've been doing this for Yrs with great results, but I also don't have the need to rush my meal prep... and I don't like to ruin food that needs a gentle warming instead of nuke zapping

ymmv
✌🏼️

[TexasProgresive]

8. With breads and meats 50% power with wet paper towels works better than just 5% PWR.

[yuiyoshida]

9. I have reheated Suimei with wet paper towels in the microwave

[sarge43]

10. Wrap a potato in a damp paper towel and nuke it.

The skin will stay soft.

[mitch96]

13. I do that with corn on the cob.. 3 min and done.. xlnt!! n/t

[demmiblue]

14. I nuke it in the husk.

[mitch96]

15. YUp, papertowel and husk.. can't be beat..

The wet ppr towel acts to steam the corn..
I also use a wet ppr towel to chill wine in the freezer. When the towel is slightly frozen I know the wine is ready...
m

[Iggo]

11. I do that with noodles, bread, meat, and pizza slices.

Probably started doing it about four or five years ago. I felt then as you do now.

Yeh-hoo!!!

[skypilot]

16. Reheating pizza slices.

I've found that drizzling a bit of olive oil on pizza before reheating it in the oven works wonders.

[Iggo]

17. Oh yes, oven is best. I was just talking about microwave.

[rusty quoin]

19. That's a good idea. Even though pizza has a lot of oils it will dry out in the fridge.

And pizza reheated in the microwave is not good because the moisture goes to the crust, being the path of least resistance. So the oven is the best choice with a pizza stone favorable, or at least a preheated cookie sheet.