this may sound dense and not make much sense upon reading but here goes. . .

[lucysmam]

I was going to make dahl for tomorrow's tea. However, we're going out with mil at about 2pm and wont be back until late (6-7pm). If I make the dahl before we go, & leave it in the pan for the afternoon but with hob switched off will it be ok to re-heat when we get in tomorrow night? Hope that makes sense!!

Yes, as long as you heat it through.

I usually make it the night before, leave it to cool in the pan overnight, put it in the fridge in the morning and reheat it the following evening when we eat it.

I'd put it in a bowl in the fridge for the afternoon, then put it back into a saucepan to reheat it.

thanks Othersideofthechannel, wasn't 100% sure so thought I'd best check! That's going to make life so much easier tomorrow

even if it's not totally cooled Shitehawk?

But Shitehawk, you not supposed to put hot food in the fridge.

Yep. It will cool down quickly enough, and I'd feel happier that I wasn't going to poison anyone if I'd refridgerated it!

So make it half an hour earlier so it's had longer to cool

I'd feel happier cooling the stuff in the fridge than leaving it out for five or six hours.

But it could bring the temp of the fridge up which is not good news if you have meat in the fridge. I'd rather keep the dahl at room temp than risk the meat not being stored at the right temp.

hmmm, good point. i could always stick it on while we have brekky and get sorted so that it does have time to cool i guess, just have to get oh to keep an eye on it too so it doesn't burn to bottom of pan

well, you've managed to put me in a pickle now thanks ladies i'll make earlier and leave to cool and put in fridge at last poss minute i think, should have had plenty of time to cool that way

Yes, that would be ideal if possible.

Because of work constraints, I usually cook (veggie food) in the evenings for the following day and haven't poisoned anyone yet.

i think next time if we're out that's what i will do! thank-you both for helping me out