Off Topic—Safety in the Kitchen

This blog discusses one more issue to which we, as responsible adults, need to pay attention.

Here’s the scenario:  You are having a dinner party and know you need to prepare foods ahead of time so you are not stressed during the party.  How do you make food ahead of time and reheat it so that it doesn’t spoil?

First, you need to cool foods quickly to get them from the stove to the fridge.  This involves placing the food in shallow pans so there is a greater surface exposed to the air.  Or you can put the pot/pan in an ice bath- just make sure the container with the ice is clean.  Another way of cooling is to divide the large quantity into smaller portions.  I like to put either a trivet or a pot holder under the container of warm food when I place it on my glass refrigerator shelf so that cool air can get under the container as well as over and around the sides.

Of course, you can always use a thermometer but most home cooks, including me, don’t do this.  Information from Contra Costa Environmental Health in California stated foods should be cooled from 135⁰ F to 41⁰F or below within 6 hours with the most significant drop of 135⁰ F to 70⁰F occurring within 2 hours. 

It is equally important to reheat foods to the proper temperature.  Foods should come up to 165⁰ F to kill off any bacteria that may have grown during the cooling or reheating process.  Many home cooks reheat in a microwave.  I am learning that it is important to rotate the food because microwaves sometimes have cool spots and the food may not be heated through.

Here’s an important fact sheet from the FDA about reheating leftovers.   https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/leftovers-and-food-safety/CT_Index

As a long time home cook, I didn’t think I needed to pay attention to this very basic kitchen lesson.  But I do.  Fortunately, I have not had any issue with any of the thousands of meals I have prepared but times are changing and I need to keep up.  I will start using my thermometer more often than just for the Thanksgiving turkey!

Comments.  Questions.

Who’s helping mom/dad?

Many people will need assistance in their homes.  Duties range from paying bills to driving to doctors’ appointments to cooking, cleaning, and even bathing the patient.  Recent cyber scams have again brought to light the nefarious actions of some individuals.  And these things are not just happening on the internet.  They are happening in the homes of vulnerable populations. 

The safest and most reliable option is to hire people through a reputable, licensed agency.  But if you decide to hire someone on your own, please do a criminal background check and ask for previous employer references.  While I advocate organizing one’s important papers into one location, common sense dictates to keep this location secure.  Don’t leave it out for workers to look at it.

 And families have a responsibility to check on things using a random schedule.  And the new mantra,  “if you see something, say something”, holds true in this situation.  If your gut tells you your loved one is being taken advantage of, contact the police.