A leading Italian chef has shared a fool-proof trick that may come as some surprise – the optimal way to reheat pizza in the microwave, which will have you smacking your lips together
Reheated pizza is a popular hangover coping mechanism for many – and the snack is also great for family leftovers, work lunches or sharing with friends.
However, it can be tricky to get the slices tasting as good as they are when they’re straight out of the oven. No one wants a horrible cardboard texture, after all!
Thankfully, one renowned Italian chef believes they have cracked the code and have offered their take on the method to achieve the best results. Popular cook Roberta explained that the key to avoiding dry pizza when reheating in the microwave is to keep it moist.
Reheating pizza without losing its crispy texture and original flavour can be a challenge with the usual outcome resulting in a soft base combined with rubbery cheese. This is a less than ideal situation – however chef Roberta believes that she has the answer.
The renowned Italian chef Roberta, famous on TikTok for her cooking tips, has shared a simple method that ensures that the reheated pizza is as good as fresh from the oven. She explained that the key to preventing the pizza from drying out when reheating it in the microwave is to maintain moisture.
Maintaining moisture is an easy fix with this simple trick
The chef added that the process behind this is clever yet simple – place a glass of water next to the slice of pizza inside the microwave. The water evaporates during the process and generates just the right level of steam for the dough to retain its elasticity and the cheese not to harden.
“Moisture is key so that the base does not soften or burn,” said the chef on her social media platforms. The alternative is the frying pan. If you prefer to avoid the microwave, Roberta also recommends reheating the pizza here. The procedure is very easy – heat the pan over medium heat, place the slice of pizza and add a few drops of water on the edge. Then, cover the pan to create a steam effect, which allows the cheese to melt without losing its crunch.
How does this trick work?
High temperatures without moisture usually dry out food. Therefore, by placing a glass of water in the microwave or creating steam in the pan, you prevent the pizza from losing its texture. As Roberta pointed out, the correct combination of heat and moisture is the formula for perfect reheating.
Roberta showed that even something as simple as reheating a pizza can be a form of art if you know the right tricks. So, next time you have a leftover slice, don’t hesitate to apply this tip and enjoy it as if it were freshly baked.
A basic recipe for a delicious pizza
For those who want to go a step further and enjoy a completely homemade pizza, the chef shares the basic recipe on her channel which is so easy, the whole family can take part.
Her pizza includes a dough made with flour, warm water, yeast, oil, salt and a touch of sugar, before being rested for an hour. It is then topped with homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and other preferred ingredients before baking at 220°C. Keep an eye on the pizza and take out of the oven once it is cooked to enjoy a lovely staple of Italian cooking.
Chef Roberta Cipri owns the “Aroma Roma” restaurant in Loma Linda, San Jose, Costa Rica which has great reviews for its authentic Italian cuisine. Some reviewers have even commented that the food rivals that of Roberta’s native Italy.
