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Meal Prep Questions

  • 29-05-2018 8:54am
    #1
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,723 ✭✭✭✭


    In an effort to cut costs and lose weight, I want to move to preparing my lunches for the week on a Sunday. I've been looking at the mealprepsunday subreddit on Reddit and will get a few recipes and stuff from there, but I'm a bot of a novice cook so was wondering if I could ask a few questions

    How long should food be reheated for in the microwave? Does it vary wildly or would a general 'two minutes and then just check' suffice?

    What are the best containers to use that are microwave and dishwasher safe? I ordered these on Amazon on a bit of a whim but reading about them now, the lids aren't spill proof (just spill resistant) and it seems they can warp after being in the dishwasher. I was also wondering would freezer burn occur if the lid doesn't properly seal.

    Do I reheat the food just as-is in the tray or do I need to cover it with clingfilm or anything? Or would it depend on the food?

    Any other general tips from those who do similar would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,694 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    Penn wrote: »
    How long should food be reheated for in the microwave? Does it vary wildly or would a general 'two minutes and then just check' suffice?
    I'd always just give it 2 mins, stir and check.
    Penn wrote: »
    What are the best containers to use that are microwave and dishwasher safe? I ordered these on Amazon on a bit of a whim but reading about them now, the lids aren't spill proof (just spill resistant) and it seems they can warp after being in the dishwasher. I was also wondering would freezer burn occur if the lid doesn't properly seal.
    In my experience anyway, the best ones have been the containers that you can click closed to keep securely closed. Something like these.

    Penn wrote: »
    Do I reheat the food just as-is in the tray or do I need to cover it with clingfilm or anything? Or would it depend on the food?.
    Just reheat in the box if it's microwave safe. I'd usually leave the lid over it but that's mostly because when I don't, the food splashed all over the inside of the microwave.


  • #3
    silverharp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,854 ✭✭✭✭silverharp


    a huge choice out there, I was looking for some at the weekend and was in Debenhams, the one I got wasn't on the list below but it was a large mug shaped one with handle and a clip on lid with 4 separate clips on top so no chance of it leaking out the top.

    https://www.debenhams.ie/home/kitchen-cookware/kitchen-food-storage/plastic-food-containers


    If you are doing the week ahead, you also have the option of freezing the lunches for latter days depending on what it is.

    Another option is a thermos flask , I picked up the mug shaped one in Debenhams, obviously it means heating it up before you head out in the morning but handy for soups or stews


    https://www.thermos.com/mugs-and-tumblers/thermos-16-oz-stainless-steel-travel-mug-and-food-jar-w-spoon-midnight-blue.html

    A belief in gender identity involves a level of faith as there is nothing tangible to prove its existence which, as something divorced from the physical body, is similar to the idea of a soul. - Colette Colfer



  • #4
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,723 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    Yeah my plan is to make five meals, freeze three on the Sunday and put the other two in the fridge. Then for the frozen ones just take them out the night before.

    Thanks for the recommendations. I think more of a lunchbox system is the way to go rather than food trays alright. My only concern is there are times with other lunchboxes where I've microwaved bolognese or chilli con carne or something and there's always a slight red hue left in the lunchbox even after being through the dishwasher. But then they have been fairly cheapo Dunnes Stores containers anyway.


  • #5
    bren2001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,218 ✭✭✭bren2001


    Penn wrote: »
    Yeah my plan is to make five meals, freeze three on the Sunday and put the other two in the fridge. Then for the frozen ones just take them out the night before.

    Thanks for the recommendations. I think more of a lunchbox system is the way to go rather than food trays alright. My only concern is there are times with other lunchboxes where I've microwaved bolognese or chilli con carne or something and there's always a slight red hue left in the lunchbox even after being through the dishwasher. But then they have been fairly cheapo Dunnes Stores containers anyway.

    Ikea do glass lunch boxes, the lids are plastic so the hue can be left on them however. They're good value and I find them easier to wash.


  • #6
    dastardly00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,506 ✭✭✭✭dastardly00


    +1 for the glass containers with snap locking plastic lid... definitely better than all plastic and well worth the investment.

    I have a good few containers similar to these that I got from TK Maxx and HomeStore & More.

    I use them a lot. No red/orange residue/hue left from tomato based sauces. No warping after being washed in the dishwasher. No leaks either.

    I don't normally use the lids in the microwave as I have a collapsible microwave plate cover like this that I keep in work and home.


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  • #7
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,723 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    Bought some plastic ones in Homestore at the weekend and made turkey meatballs in honey & sriracha sauce. Reheated some of them in the microwave the next day.

    The lunchbox melted where the sauce was. I'm guessing due to the honey.

    Looks like glass ones are the way to go :D


  • #8
    igCorcaigh
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 11,901 Mod ✭✭✭✭igCorcaigh


    I have one of those red plastic soup mugs which are microwavable and have a clip close lid. I think tk max sell them.


  • #9
    Jellybaby1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    I usually go to All Rooms, in Liffey Street, for any containers. They have a great selection to choose from and a lot cheaper than the department stores. They used to have a branch I think in Blanchardstown but that might not be there anymore.


  • #10
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,556 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    I just use the ones you get from the takeaway (or the €2 shops), or dealz (and others) do the ones that look like a big cup, but have an airhole on the top for the microwave (http://www.dealz.ie/home-and-pet/kitchen/food-wrap-and-storage/microwave-bowl). I haven't had an leakage issues, but if I'm doing an active commute I do put them in a zip lock bag just in case.

    For the freezer I use the foil trays with the cardboard top, again like you get in the takeaway. I find them handy as you can write (and date) whats in them. Might be overkill if you're doing a weekly batch - I tend to up quantities for whatever meals I'm making to have a few for the freezer (which also helps with portion control at the time too). But if you do more than the 5 days worth on a Sunday, and change recipe every week, after a few weeks you'd have a bit of variety or a week where you don't have to do a batch.


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