Why do we have to let food rest for a few minutes after cooking it?

Question

I was just cooking a frozen pizza and the instructions say to let it rest for 5 minutes after it's finished cooking, what is the point of this?

Answer 1

this is so the cheeses sort of cool a bit and don't string and spread all over the place when you cut it.

for roasts, they slice better if allowed to sit a few minutes after moving to the serving platter.

Answer 2

so you don't get burned when you are eating youur food

Answer 3

No reason, you should ignore it. Just dive right in. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Maybe its tired after burning off all of that fat.  OK so it is to keep you from burning your mouth.

Answer 5

when the cheese and sauce are hot they are runny...by letting set it lets the ingredients cool a bit.and will hold together better when being sliced.

As for meat...while cooking all the juices go to the middle of ,by letting them rest it enables the juices flow throughout the meat,

Answer 6

It will be easier to cut if it   sets  for a few minutes this is why they tell you to wait 5 minutes!

Cheers!

Answer 7

so that all the proper ingredients can settle down for the best possible taste, and it will be hot too! lol

Answer 8

I would guess with a pizza (never saw that before) it's to let the cheese and sauce set so you can eat it and not wear it or get burned or make a mess while cutting it. I can't wait 5 minutes I like hot pizza!!!  

Answer 9

For meats, it's to let the juices settle, so that they don't leak out as soon as you cut it.  With dishes like lasagna, it will let the cheese firm up a bit, so that it stays in a nice square when you cut it.  Not sure why a pizza says that though.....

Answer 10

cause it was hot