Top Chef Meals: Reheating Seafood? Really?
How to Rehab Seafood with Top Chef Meals

Reheating Seafood? Really?

Have you ever heard this before? “The only thing worse than eggs when reheated? Fish. Just don't do it.” Guess what? Not true. It is true that fish is never going to be better than it was when you first cooked it. It is also true that it is very easy to ruin fish while reheating it. BUT not only is reheating frozen seafood perfectly safe but it can taste absolutely delicious (depending on who's prepared it), and it's simple to do.

First and foremost, there's our preferred method – the microwave oven! Faster heating time, no mess and no fuss.

1. Place fish in microwaveable dish, cover and place in microwave.
2. Microwave it for 20 seconds, with the power on 30 or 40 percent.
3. Rearrange it in the dish a little. Microwave it again, maybe only 15 seconds, again at no more than 40 percent. Check it, repeat. Keep going until warm through and through and until the texture of the fish is as it should be.
4. Fini!

Don't mind waiting a few minutes? Then use the oven. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Preheat to 325 degrees.
2. Place fish in a greased casserole dish.
3. Cook the seafood for 12 to 15 minutes, turning it once halfway through the cooking process. Cooking times may vary depending on the amount and thickness of your seafood; thicker or stuffed fish may take up to 20 or 25 minutes, whereas something thin may finish reheating in 10 minutes. Keep an eye on your leftovers to avoid overcooking them.

Then there's our least favorite method (too many dirty dishes!) - the stovetop method.

1. Place 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil into a skillet and warm on the stove over medium heat.
2. Place your fish in the skillet and sauté for three to five minutes on each side.
3. Turn halfway through to avoid burning. Remove fish from pan when it is browned on both sides and hot all the way through.

Remember, we recommend that ALL frozen meals be heated from a thawed state, so be sure to defrost in the refrigerator. If you must heat your meals from frozen please do so gently and with the least amount of time that yields a hot product, and remember cooking times will then be double. All refrigerator defrosted meals will remain safe for up to 4 days while kept in your refrigerator.

Don't fear the world of frozen fish and seafood! It's just as tasty and delicious as other frozen meats can be. We have several amazing fish meals you can try these reheating methods on like our Seared Salmon w/Brown Butter Sauce, Baked Tilapia with Lemon Sauce, and Seared Ahi Tuna. Bon Appétit!