Always Wash

Simple trick

A simple trick that I use is to fill my kitchen sink with hot, sudsy water. This serves two purposes for me.

1- When preparing food, I can toss the dirty dishes into the hot water as I cook. This make for easier cleanup.
2- As you cook, stick your hands in the water to clean.

Clean Platters

ALWAYS SERVE FOOD ON CLEAN PLATTERS. Now, you are probably thinking - "I know that! Why is he saying that to me?" But think? Have you every taken raw meat to the barbecue on a plate and then put the cooked meat back on the same plate to serve? Don't do this unless you have washed the dish in between. Raw meat has bacteria that will spread to the cooked meat.

Hot and Cold Foods

KEEP HOT FOOD HOT AND COLD FOODS COLD 140 degrees F or above and 40 degrees F or below. Do not leave food at room temperature longer than 2 hours (1 hour when summer room temperatures are hot). Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Also make sure that meat juices can't drip onto other foods. To store hot foods, refrigerate immediately in shallow containers to cool them more quickly.

If In Doubt

IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! If you have any question in your mind about the freshness or safety of eating a food product, throw it out. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Release

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