Do you need to use oil when heating up leftovers in a pan?

[TERFCat]

I don't have a microwave.

When heating up leftovers, such as curry or soup, do you still need to oil the pan first?

I thought no as the food already has oil in it?

No, not if t's "wet" food.

What do you mean 'still need to oil the pan first'

You don't have to oil a pan for anything first if you don't want to

No you don’t, not because the food has oil but because it has liquid. Oil stops food sticking or burning but is not needed if the food is wet - just give it the occasional stir to stop anything catching on the bottom.

No, it has liquid.

Where is the soup in your oil from? Are you saying you also add oil to rice or pasta if you cook that?

No microwave here either. If I'm heating up 'wet' food I use a bit of water so the food doesn't stick.

I add a few drops of water when reheating on the stove top, even if it's something saucy like a stew or curry.

I usually cook the vegetables in oil? So the soup will have had oil in it at some point

You can't cook raw vegetables without oil though?

You can, in water.

I stick raw veg in the stock and simmer until soft. No oil.

You can't cook raw vegetables without oil though?

Yes you can! What about using a steamer or getting a re-usable silicone mat you use in the oven. Nothing sticks to it and you don't need oil! You can also get spray oil to cut the fat down.

Why on earth would you put oil in a pan to heat up soup??? 😕
Out of interest, is it a health concern you have about not using a microwave, the money or some other reason?

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No

Do you put oil in a pan when you boil water for pasta or potatoes?

So I can cook onions etc in water?

Depends what etc refers to and what you're making

A more specific question might get a better answer but I've never used oil to reheat leftovers

Of course you can! Depends what you are using the onions for!

Usually onions are a base for something - soup, stew, curry etc and you would sauté them in a little oil first. Similarly if you were making a soup or a stew you would add the veg to the onion and sauté them too in the oil for a bit. But if you just wanted to eat some veg as an accompaniment then you could cook by either boiling or steaming in water. When reheating stew / soup you would just reheat in a pan - no oil added. If you wanted to reheat precooked (ie boiled / steamed veg) then you would probably be best to steam them.

Using oil to sauté onions / peppers / carrots / celery allows the sugars to caramelise which adds a lot of depth to flavours for soup and sauces. Don't use water for that.