Best way to reheat frozen food?

[ssd]

following on from the great freezer tips found on here, I have started freezing portions, but they never taste great reheated. What am I doing wrong?

to break it down, whats the best way to cook frozen mince/chicken in a sauce/chilli/lasagne etc?(once they are all defrosted of course)

thanks

[gretagrape]

I always let them defrost naturally in the fridge rather than microwave defrosting.

If it's something on the hob like chilli/stew then I reheat it quite slowly on low heat and add extra herbs. If it's something like lasagne I usually cover it in foil so it doesn't dry out and reheat for around 20/30 mins on around 180.

Apparently if you are making something to freeze you shouldn't add too much garlic because it can make it taste horrible once defrosted and reheated.

[souperb]

Anything you freeze will need a good stir while simmering, because the fat tends to rise to the top. Defo don't microwave if you can help it. Maybe a few minutes before simmering on the hob if necessary.

If the recipe contains cream, I add it after defrosting.

If it's a pie, I freeze the innards separately and then top with pastry or mash once it's defrosted and stirred.

I under season, under spice and under herb before freezing because I think freezing heightens flavour. Freezing meat in marinade works really well, in my opinion. Interesting to read about the garlic greta - will experiment.

[Artandco]

If it can be stirred then reheated on the hob in pan

If pie/ lasagne then in oven

Always leave to thaw in fridge throughout the day