Christmas time... tables laden with turkey, ham, prawns, oysters. Looks fantastic but leave them out too long and you'll pay the price. Richard Cornish has some advice on how to make sure your prawns don't land you in hospital FoodCornish ...
I don't usually roast whole chickens. They look a bit yucky inside. Should I rinse them? M. Flett No! Chickens are repositories for salmonella, and washing them will spread the bugs around your prep surfaces like a miniature version of 28 Days. Pat chooks dry with paper towel, fill the cavity with stuffing , oil the skin, salt, then roast. After preparing raw chicken, wash chopping boards, knives, benches, hands, etc. The heat used to properly cook a roast chook will kill the bugs.
How do I defrost prawns? S. Wojcik In the fridge, not on the bench. Spread the frozen prawns out in a container or large tray and thaw them in the refrigerator for 24 hours. There's a lot of debate about the merits of frozen versus fresh prawns. Almost all prawns sold in supermarkets and fishmongers are frozen straight after harvest or after being cooked.
How do I know my turkey stuffing is done? P. Lavigne This is the season to treat yourself to a meat thermometer. The heat from your oven must get through a lot of meat and bone before it cooks the stuffing. If it's made with sausage or raw egg, it really needs to hit that crucial 65C mark to make sure it's safe to gobble up.
How long can I keep my ham? L. Baker In the frenzy of cooking on Christmas Day, it is easy to remove the wrapper and carelessly discard it like a bodice in a Mills and Boon novel. The wrapper will have critical information about how long the ham will last after opening. Some hams are prepared with less salt and preservatives than others, so the use-by period will differ.
How long can I keep food out before it becomes a food poisoning risk? P. Clay If you want to avoid giving your long-staying uncle food poisoning, put leftovers in the fridge once you're done with them. Food kept at room temperature for up to two hours is safe to pack, refrigerate and serve later. Food kept at room temperature for between two to four hours should be eaten and not stored for later use. Food that has been on the table for longer than four hours should be discarded.
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