Reheating rice

[graemer]

I heard a reference on the radio that you shouldn't reheat boiled rice. I've reheated rice dishes in the microwave without ill-affects. Anyone know what the reason is? This was asked in 2002 and I was wondering if there's more info since then. http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Food-and-Drink/Question16 656.html

[flaming]

Apparently boiled rice gets a nasty bacteria on it which is not eradicated when the rice is reheated.  That might apply only to warm water reheating.  If sufficient microwave zapping is done maybe the reheated rice is OK, but the operative thing is how much microwaving and what powerr?  I use Rizzazz which is available in a lot of supermarkets, and is in a microweavable packet.  It is excellent.  It says on their packet that any left can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.  However for 2 you wouldn't have leftovers.  For 1, to be on the safe side, I tip out what I need to another dish.  I keep the microwaveable packet in the fridge until the remainder is wanted, but I stick to the 2 day rule.  The packet can be kept in the storecupboard until needed.  There are several types - plain and rice with other things. Hope that helps.  If you use warm water reheating it might not be at boiling point and you risk a severe tummy upset.  If you do boil it for a while you will be eating rice pudding!

[julesy]

I did read somewhere that a lot of outbreaks of food poisoning are put down to eating left over take away rice. It sits in the takeaway for goodness knows how long, is reheated when you buy it and very often reheatetd again or worst still left overnight to fester!
Just throw away any leftover rice as you don't know where it has been. yuk!
Julesy.

[graemer]

I usually zap it in the microwave but now I don't think I'll buy takeaway rice again!

[woofgang]

Whenever I am cooking rice, I always do a double portion and freeze half and have never had any ill effects BUT I do my rice in the microwave and am really careful about cooling, freeezing, hygiene etc. I think that julesy has it right, the problem is takeaway rice which sits around warm on the journey home etc and then is probabaly not refrigerated over night, then it gets nuked for breakfast or lunch...urrgh

[5029]

It is actually fine so long as the food is refrigerated early (to make the bacteria lie dormant) and heating thoroughly (to kill the bacteria).

 

It all the sitting about at room temperature that causes the bacteria to multiply.  (by the way my sources are 2 people who work in the food technology business!)

[kev100]

For how much rice costs why take any chances, I only use Basmati rice when I cook indian dishes and a portion of rice works out at about 4p.

[graemer]

Hi Kev, I was concerned more about takeaways. Sometimes I let them cool down as I'm not that hungry and them heat them up a couple of hours later. Leftover rice I've cooked myself I always just chuck out.