Keeping chicken and rice warm in a thermos for lunch

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I've just made the most amazing Fay ripley one pot chicken thighs in lemon and thyme rice for the kids' dinner (we live in Asia so it's early evening here).

They are all asking to take it for lunch tomorrow in thermos flasks that we use for pasta lunches. However, can I reheat it in the morning (would shred the meat from the thigh bones so not reheating big chunks of meat)? Can I reheat rice? Can I keep rice and chicken warm in a thermos for a few hours and it still be safe for eating? Don't fancy food poisoning at the moment.....

[TotemPole]

I wouldn't keep rice warm for that long, I don't think it would safe. I would reheat so it's piping hot, and eat straight away.

Can we have the recipe please? :)

[OrlaKiely]

Oh God no to the rice

sorry

and reheating it won't kill the spores

[Fairylea]

I worked in catering for 20 years. I say no!! Definitely not .. not worth the risk. Chicken and rice are two of the biggest culprits for nasty food poisoning and reheating or not heating properly as the main causes of food poisoning.... ! So err no.

Actually from a catering point of view we wouldn't reheat rice at all as its very dangerous as it cools down unevenly so harbours bacteria easily. But if you're determined to do it then rice should be cooked, cooled down by rinsing in cold water straight away, frozen and then reheated to a very hot temperature. This is the way frozen food companies sell microwave meals with rice safely.

[diamondee]

I wouldn't risk it either, rice is too risky

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Thanks all, thought not but the kids were doing pouty faces at the thought of sandwiches again..... They won't eat it cold for lunch tomorrow but dh will

I've got Fay ripleys family recipes which is one of my favourite books and I can't find the recipe online but there is a mumsnet thread with it here

[AmberSocks]

going to go against the grain and say i would,i have before with similar and been fine,but it is a risk,we seem to have the constitutions of oxes.

[TotemPole]

Thanks for the link. Do you think it would work in the slow cooker if I browned the chicken first?

[butterfliesinmytummy]

See amber, we live in Asia where you buy cooked warm chickens in supermarkets with microwave reheating instructions and takeaways including rice are often reheated (and don't get me started on supermarkets refreezing defrosted food) - we must be pretty resistant too.

No one here has ever heard about it being dangerous to reheat rice, they just look at you like you fell from mars if you mention it. I do know its dangerous though and won't be attempting to poison my kids tomorrow

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I'm sure it would work in a slow cooker, as long as the rice doesn't go mushy. I forgot to say I couldn't get broad beans so threw in a load of frozen peas 5 minutes before the end of cooking.

[TotemPole]

Did you use brown rice per the recipe in the link? I haven't had broad beans for years.

I've reheated rice from takeaways, it's been stored in the fridge overnight and once reheated I'd eat it straight away.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I used Thai jasmine rice because it was in the cupboard and I was out of brown. I think brown might be better in a slow cooker as it holds together better....

[TotemPole]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to trying it.