The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the Chinese food buffet.

On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>
>The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the Chinese food buffet.

The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
already has a double boiler.

On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
> On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>>
>> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the Chinese food buffet.
>
> The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
> preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
> already has a double boiler.

That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and burns
in a normal skillet. One can find a double boiler for a few bucks at
any yard sale, I have one or two of them here. I've only used them to
melt chocolate so far.

On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.
> Always sicks and burns in a normal skillet.

Why not a microwave? A MW is the 'go to' method
for most people to reheat just about anything.

It saves time, plus you can re-heat in the
dish you use to eat, saving water & electricity
& soap. Think of the children!

On Friday, October 7, 2022 at 2:27:21 AM UTC-10, bruce bowser wrote:
> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the Chinese food buffet.

My favorite fried rice is kim chee fried rice. It's spicy and sour. I won't typically reheat fried rice. That would be like heating 2nd generation leftovers. If I did reheat fried rice, I'd just use the microwave.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9NgW85A1CEmH9rky9

On 10/7/2022 20:33, Mike Duffy wrote:
> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew<michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
>
>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and
>> burns in a normal skillet.
>
> Why not a microwave? A MW is the 'go to' method for most people to
> reheat just about anything.
>
> It saves time, plus you can re-heat in the dish you use to eat,
> saving water& electricity & soap. Think of the children!

Are you trying to coax a microwave oven rant out of me again? We've
beaten this dead horse, Mr. Duffy. I'm one of the 9 per cent of US
households without a microwave oven. I grew up with one, but I don't
care for what it does to the food. Easy enough to reheat on the stove.
I don't see a need to waste my counter space.

You might be surprised if you walked into my house. The kitchen looks
out of the 1950's. Sometimes I forget that other people don't have
40's/50's appliances, and visitors are surprised. I dialed a call on my
rotary wall phone when my (late 20's) friend from Wisconsin stayed over
in August. I didn't think anything of it, but she just stared at me,
and asked if this was "for real"... LOL

Michael Trew wrote:
> On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
>> On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>>>
>>> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the
>>> Chinese food buffet.
>>
>> The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
>> preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
>> already has a double boiler.
>
> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.  Always sicks and burns
> in a normal skillet.

Are you serious?
Do you not own a microwave?
Cold fried rice in a *covered* bowl and microwaved just until hot.
Don't add any water, just the rice.

On Friday, October 7, 2022 at 7:33:53 PM UTC-5, Mike Duffy wrote:
> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:
>
> > That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.
> > Always sicks and burns in a normal skillet.
> Why not a microwave? A MW is the 'go to' method
> for most people to reheat just about anything.
>
> It saves time, plus you can re-heat in the
> dish you use to eat, saving water & electricity
> & soap. Think of the children!
>
John Kuthe does. ;-)

--Bryan

On 10/8/2022 8:16 AM, Gary wrote:
> Michael Trew wrote:
>> On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
>>> On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from
>>>> the Chinese food buffet.
>>>
>>> The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
>>> preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
>>> already has a double boiler.
>>
>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.  Always sicks and burns
>> in a normal skillet.
>
> Are you serious?
> Do you not own a microwave?
> Cold fried rice in a *covered* bowl and microwaved just until hot.
> Don't add any water, just the rice.
>
>
>
>
Of course he's serious, Gary. Michael doesn't own a microwave. If they
had been widely available and in common use in the 1940's or 50's he
probably would. :)

Jill

On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

> Are you trying to coax a microwave
> oven rant out of me again? [...]
> I grew up with one, but I don't
> care for what it does to the food.

I just softened up a frozen stick of
butter for spreading on bread without
melting a drop in five minutes.

Please give us the 'how to' notes for
doing this with the open-flamed
explosive toxic gas stove you prefer.

On 10/8/2022 9:57 AM, Mike Duffy wrote:
> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
>
>> Are you trying to coax a microwave
>> oven rant out of me again? [...]
>> I grew up with one, but I don't
>> care for what it does to the food.
>
> I just softened up a frozen stick of
> butter for spreading on bread without
> melting a drop in five minutes.
>
> Please give us the 'how to' notes for
> doing this with the open-flamed
> explosive toxic gas stove you prefer.
>
Obviously, Mike, a double boiler. :)

Jill

On Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:24:45 -0400, Michael Trew
<michael.trew@att.net> wrote:

>On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
>> On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>>>
>>> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from the Chinese food buffet.
>>
>> The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
>> preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
>> already has a double boiler.
>
>That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and burns
>in a normal skillet. One can find a double boiler for a few bucks at
>any yard sale, I have one or two of them here. I've only used them to
>melt chocolate so far.

If you have a stainless steel mixing bowl and a pot for heating water
you have a double boiler... that's what I use, stir beaten eggs with a
rubber spatula. I have a set of three different size stainless steel
mixing bowls and many pots for boiling water.

On 2022-10-08 10:53 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
> On Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:24:45 -0400, Michael Trew

>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and burns
>> in a normal skillet. One can find a double boiler for a few bucks at
>> any yard sale, I have one or two of them here. I've only used them to
>> melt chocolate so far.
>
> If you have a stainless steel mixing bowl and a pot for heating water
> you have a double boiler... that's what I use, stir beaten eggs with a
> rubber spatula. I have a set of three different size stainless steel
> mixing bowls and many pots for boiling water.

I commented recently about the fact that cooking pot sets don't always
include a double boiler like they used to. When we were first married
and were given a set of pots there was a double boiler. My parents and
grandparents had them. They were pretty handy. They were typically two
regular pots of almost equal diameter and the smaller one had a lip that
allowed you to set it inside the lower, deeper pot and there was a
reasonable seal to keep most of the steam in.

On 2022-10-08, Mike Duffy <mxduffy@bell.net> wrote:
> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
>
>> Are you trying to coax a microwave
>> oven rant out of me again? [...]
>> I grew up with one, but I don't
>> care for what it does to the food.
>
> I just softened up a frozen stick of
> butter for spreading on bread without
> melting a drop in five minutes.

I'm organized enough that I never need frozen butter immediately.
Proper planning prevents poor performance.

However, I keep my butter in the refrigerator. I usually just carve
off a few thin slices and put them on the bread. The butter is soft
within minutes. If I'm in a hurry, I turn on the halogen lights on
my range hood and use them for additional warmth.

Michael could use his pilot light.

> Please give us the 'how to' notes for
> doing this with the open-flamed
> explosive toxic gas stove you prefer.

Aw, c'mon, Mike. That's not a fair comparison. You'd need to
compare the efficacy of an electric or induction range to a gas
range for softening butter.

If I didn't have oatmeal for breakfast every morning, I doubt I'd
use my microwave more than once a month. Even then, I could surely
cook frozen green beans or fresh broccoli using my gas stove.

--
Cindy Hamilton

Dave Smith wrote:
> I commented recently about the fact that cooking pot sets don't always
> include a double boiler like they used to. When we were first married
> and were given a set of pots there was a double boiler. My parents and
> grandparents had them. They were pretty handy. They were typically two
> regular pots of almost equal diameter and the smaller one had a lip that
> allowed you to set it inside the lower, deeper pot and there was a
> reasonable seal to keep most of the steam in.
>
Fascinating, no really.

Jill

Gary wrote:

> Michael Trew wrote:
> > On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
> > > On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
> > > >
> > > > The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than
> > > > from the Chinese food buffet.
> > >
> > > The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods
> > > for preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal
> > > mixing bowl already has a double boiler.
> >
> > That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.  Always sicks and
> > burns in a normal skillet.
>
> Are you serious?
> Do you not own a microwave?
> Cold fried rice in a covered bowl and microwaved just until hot.
> Don't add any water, just the rice.

Hey, not everyone jumped on the microwave band wagon.

We have one, but it's only used 2-3 times a week and only to rewarm
some leftover. It's not essential to us.

On 2022-10-08 12:06 p.m., cshenk wrote:
> Gary wrote:
>

>> Are you serious?
>> Do you not own a microwave?
>> Cold fried rice in a covered bowl and microwaved just until hot.
>> Don't add any water, just the rice.
>
> Hey, not everyone jumped on the microwave band wagon.
>
> We have one, but it's only used 2-3 times a week and only to rewarm
> some leftover. It's not essential to us.

I can't remember the last time I used ours for cooking. I did heat up a
mug of milk for a hot cocoa about 6 months ago and I have reheated
coffee in it. My wife uses it for 17 seconds every morning to heat up an
eye mask that she uses for 20 minutes each morning.

On Sat, 8 Oct 2022 11:20:24 -0400, Dave Smith
<adavid.smith@sympatico.ca> wrote:

>On 2022-10-08 10:53 a.m., Sheldon Martin wrote:
>> On Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:24:45 -0400, Michael Trew
>
>>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and burns
>>> in a normal skillet. One can find a double boiler for a few bucks at
>>> any yard sale, I have one or two of them here. I've only used them to
>>> melt chocolate so far.
>>
>> If you have a stainless steel mixing bowl and a pot for heating water
>> you have a double boiler... that's what I use, stir beaten eggs with a
>> rubber spatula. I have a set of three different size stainless steel
>> mixing bowls and many pots for boiling water.
>
>I commented recently about the fact that cooking pot sets don't always
>include a double boiler like they used to.

I don't remember pot sets ever including a double boiler.
No need, any pot and a metal mixing bowl becomes a double boiler.
I remember pot sets including an insert for poached eggs, but never
including a double boiler. I can't imagine why anyone would need a
separate double boiler.

On 10/7/2022 10:00 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
> On 10/7/2022 20:33, Mike Duffy wrote:
>> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew<michael.trew@att.net>  wrote:
>>
>>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and
>>> burns in a normal skillet.
>>
>> Why not a microwave? A MW is the 'go to' method for most people to
>> reheat just about anything.
>>
>> It saves time, plus you can re-heat in the dish you use to eat,
>> saving water&  electricity &  soap. Think of the children!
>
> Are you trying to coax a microwave oven rant out of me again?  We've
> beaten this dead horse, Mr. Duffy.  I'm one of the 9 per cent of US
> households without a microwave oven.  I grew up with one, but I don't
> care for what it does to the food.

> Easy enough to reheat on the stove.

Evidently not so easy for you.

Dave Smith wrote:

> On 2022-10-08 12:06 p.m., cshenk wrote:
> > Gary wrote:
> >
>
> > > Are you serious?
> > > Do you not own a microwave?
> > > Cold fried rice in a covered bowl and microwaved just until hot.
> > > Don't add any water, just the rice.
> >
> > Hey, not everyone jumped on the microwave band wagon.
> >
> > We have one, but it's only used 2-3 times a week and only to rewarm
> > some leftover. It's not essential to us.
>
> I can't remember the last time I used ours for cooking. I did heat up
> a mug of milk for a hot cocoa about 6 months ago and I have reheated
> coffee in it. My wife uses it for 17 seconds every morning to heat up
> an eye mask that she uses for 20 minutes each morning.

For us, been known to loan it for 2-3 months while fellow military were
awating HHG to arrive from overseas.

On Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12:35:30 PM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> On 10/7/2022 10:00 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
> > On 10/7/2022 20:33, Mike Duffy wrote:
> >> On 2022-10-08, Michael Trew<michae...@att.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice. Always sicks and
> >>> burns in a normal skillet.
> >>
> >> Why not a microwave? A MW is the 'go to' method for most people to
> >> reheat just about anything.
> >>
> >> It saves time, plus you can re-heat in the dish you use to eat,
> >> saving water& electricity & soap. Think of the children!
> >
> > Are you trying to coax a microwave oven rant out of me again? We've
> > beaten this dead horse, Mr. Duffy. I'm one of the 9 per cent of US
> > households without a microwave oven. I grew up with one, but I don't
> > care for what it does to the food.
>
> > Easy enough to reheat on the stove.
> Evidently not so easy for you.

I haven't replaced my microwave, yet. It also rubberizes parts of food, unexpectedly. That minimizes the food, somehow.

On 10/8/2022 1:11 PM, bruce bowser wrote:

>>
>>> Easy enough to reheat on the stove.
>> Evidently not so easy for you.
>
> I haven't replaced my microwave, yet. It also rubberizes parts of food, unexpectedly. That minimizes the food, somehow.

Too high a setting. Reheating is mostly 50% power.

On Sat, 8 Oct 2022 09:30:56 -0400, jmcquown <j_mcquown@comcast.net>
wrote:

>On 10/8/2022 8:16 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Michael Trew wrote:
>>> On 10/7/2022 10:10, Sheldon Martin wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 7 Oct 2022 bruce bowser wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> The refrigerated beef fried rice actually tasted better than from
>>>>> the Chinese food buffet.
>>>>
>>>> The double boiler is one of the most neglected and useful methods for
>>>> preparing foods... and anyone who owns a pot and a metal mixing bowl
>>>> already has a double boiler.
>>>
>>> That is a nifty idea for reheating fried rice.  Always sicks and burns
>>> in a normal skillet.
>>
>> Are you serious?
>> Do you not own a microwave?
>> Cold fried rice in a *covered* bowl and microwaved just until hot.
>> Don't add any water, just the rice.
>>
>Of course he's serious, Gary. Michael doesn't own a microwave. If they
>had been widely available and in common use in the 1940's or 50's he
>probably would. :)
>
>Jill

The microwave is by far the most often used kitchen appliance we have,
how else can coffee or tea be reheated. Some days I reheat my coffee
3-4 times. I don't think a day passes that I don't reheat something.
It's after noon now and I've already reheated my mug of coffee three
times, and will reheat it again shortly. I don't use the microwave
for actual cooking but it works great for defrosting and especially
cooking frozen veggies. The microwave oven we have has a button
expressly for reheating a cup of coffee, runs for 30 seconds and beeps
when done.
I remember when microwave ovens first came out, they were huge, heavy,
very expensive, and didn't work very well. Today's modern microwave
ovens work fabulously, and cost very little. Today living without a
microwave oven would be like living without a Phone/TV/PC. Next thing
needed is an automobile that runs on microwaves, I suspect soon.
About the only time I melt butter I use a pyrex measuring cup in my
microwave for drizzling butter over the popcorn from our air popper.
The air popper has a built in aluminum cup for melting butter but I
never use it, it's messy, something to clean.
But toast is plenty hot enough for making thin butter pats
spreadable... slice a few while your bread is toasting.

On Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 6:11:16 AM UTC-10, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2022-10-08 12:06 p.m., cshenk wrote:
> > Gary wrote:
> >
>
> >> Are you serious?
> >> Do you not own a microwave?
> >> Cold fried rice in a covered bowl and microwaved just until hot.
> >> Don't add any water, just the rice.
> >
> > Hey, not everyone jumped on the microwave band wagon.
> >
> > We have one, but it's only used 2-3 times a week and only to rewarm
> > some leftover. It's not essential to us.
> I can't remember the last time I used ours for cooking. I did heat up a
> mug of milk for a hot cocoa about 6 months ago and I have reheated
> coffee in it. My wife uses it for 17 seconds every morning to heat up an
> eye mask that she uses for 20 minutes each morning.

It's an amazing piece of technology. How else can you get a rock solid frozen burrito burning hot in under 2 minutes? My dad worked on a small rock in the Pacific that had a really powerful microwave oven. Before they turned it on, everybody had to go into bunkers so they wouldn't get cooked. He said they once cooked a turkey and that one day a worker got cooked. I don't even want to think about that - I'm just glad it wasn't him.

On Sat, 8 Oct 2022 11:38:25 -0400, jmcquown <jmcquown@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>Dave Smith wrote:
>> I commented recently about the fact that cooking pot sets don't always
>> include a double boiler like they used to. When we were first married
>> and were given a set of pots there was a double boiler. My parents and
>> grandparents had them. They were pretty handy. They were typically two
>> regular pots of almost equal diameter and the smaller one had a lip that
>> allowed you to set it inside the lower, deeper pot and there was a
>> reasonable seal to keep most of the steam in.
> >
>Fascinating, no really.

I keep re-reading it and each time I do, I discover a new layer of
meaning.

--
Bruce
<https://emalm.com/?v=SQqZJ>