supermarket curries ready meals cheapest way to get chicken soft.

QrizB

jvjack said:

Recap . Trying to get chicken soft in supermarket ready meal using microwave.

I've eaten dozens of these cook-chill curries. Some I've reheated in the oven, others I've microwaved. They never take any longer than the instructions and sometimes when microwaving they're done sooner.

If you're finding them tough, I agree with the earlier poster who said the problem isn't the meal - it's your teeth.

Alternatively, you could try buying a can of curry (already cooked, safe to eat cold from the can if you don't want to warm it up) and a pouch of rice. Example:

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/307752613

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/251680648

(Other supermarkets are available).

jvjack

yes. 45 mins to get chicken soft. Otherwise like rubber.
I'm thinking the microwave is too low at that wattage to do it. If its 650w as on back then that might be reason.

Spoonie_Turtle

To be honest I think the low Wattage is the reason the chicken wasn't cremated after 45mins!

I'm not reading back all through the thread but have you had the same microwave all the time you've been having a problem with the chicken?  I wonder if maybe it's actually just not working properly.  We've had a 700W before and even that dried things out if you put them on for too long.

MultiFuelBurner

Not forgetting a badly working microwave is probably microwaving everything outside and not inside the microwave.

Have you noticed any strange growths recently?

QrizB

jvjack said:

yes. 45 mins to get chicken soft. Otherwise like rubber.
I'm thinking the microwave is too low at that wattage to do it. If its 650w as on back then that might be reason.

Your microwave isn't the problem, as you have the same complaint when using your oven.

As a rule, when microwaving a dish you need to deliver a set amount of energy. A dish which needs 5 minutes at 800 watts will receive (5 x 60 x 800) =  240,000J - ie. 240kJ - of microwave heating. That's enough to heat a litre of water by 57 degrees C.

If your microwave is only 650 watts, it will take (240,000 / 650) = 429 seconds, which is just over 7 minutes.

By microwaving it for 45 minutes, you're giving it more than six times as much heating as it requires.

I'm beginning to think this entire thread is an elaborate wind-up. Well done OP.

QrizB

One other thought: you can see if your microwave is knackered by measuring how long it takes to boil half a litre of water in a covered microwaveable bowl.

A 650 watt microwave, ideally, will boil half a litre of water in about five minutes. Allowing for heat loss from the microwave, and having to heat the bowl as well, it's more likely to take six minutes. If it takes much longer than this, your microwave could be past it.

jvjack

OrizB no wind up. Promise you. The chichen does not soften to be edible in the times specified in either microwave or gas oven in my case.
Will try the water boil test tomorrow

Emmia

How soft are you expecting it to get? Literally dissolving in your mouth?

Krakkkers

Reading back, you have tried a conventional oven for an hour at 240c as well.
I think the problem is what you want rather than the microwave or oven being at fault.
Most people would think the food was destroyed after an hour at 240c or 45 mins in a microwave.

jvjack

spoonie_turtle. yes. Have tried doing in the specified timed but the chicken is like rubber. 
MFB no growths
I think i'm going to have to get a new one , a 900w and test. If that doesnt do it it's me.