Thursday, September 22, 2011

kitchen safety

Well so far my last dish I created has still lasted me and there's plenty more. I did buy some tortillas and it tastes terrific. Still needs some tomatoes....next time though (shakes fist like claw). I thought since we are all kinda ridiculous cooks here I would maybe talk about some safety issues in the kitchen.


1.How to prevent the spread of bacteria


              -WASH YOUR HANDS
                           Your hands carry millions of germs from everything you touch and do. You pick up E.coli
                           and Salmonella the two most common bacteria from food. To prevent from really                        
                           poisoning your guests WASH YOUR HANDS. I know this is ridiculous but wash them in                          
                           hot water (not so hot it burns you fool) get loads of soap and sing either the ABCs or
                          Happy Birthday. Don't forget to scrub around your nails to bacteria tends to hide. Other
                          you should wash your hands is any time you have handled meat or eggs. Those two
                          products usually house a numerous amount of bacterium.    
                
              -DON'T CROSS CONTAMINATE
                         What I mean by this is don't use the same knife, cutting board, bowl or what ever that you
                         that you just prepared your meat with for ANYTHING ELSE!!!! This can cause you to
                         spread the bacterium further causing a higher likelihood of poisoning your guests. I will go
                         through an example just so you understand. Your making meatloaf where you use one
                          pound of ground beef to open the package you use a steak knife and place it on the          
                         counter. You then place the meat in a bowl and put the already measured out ingredients
                        and mix with your hands. After you mix you STOP go to the sink with the knife and wash                                    
                         your hands. For the remainder of the recipe use utensils the less you can use your hands the
                         better.
                       
              -CLEAN UP AFTERWARDS
                         I know your tired you just made this delicious masterpiece the work should be done.
                         WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!! The area you just worked in could have bacterium lingering there from
                         the meat or vegetables. I will admit I am a messy cook....flour everywhere always. It only
                         takes a second to prevent a nasty harmful bacterium from spreading. Just use a little kitchen
                         spray or disinfecting wipes in all the areas you worked in including that sink if you prepared
                         meat and washed your hands.


            -WASH YOUR VEGGIES
                       I'm sure you have all heard, remember or maybe you even experienced the great spinach
                       e.coli of 2006. Many causes from food poisoning is not properly washing your veggies.
                       With food its best to treat everything as if its thriving with bacteria. That doesn't mean
                       don't eat it just means you should take precautions to protect yourself and your poor
                       victimized dinner guests/family. I'm sure you can figure this one out but if you need
                       guidance here's some ideas. Use a strainer and a scrubby not soap. DON'T USE THE
                        SAME KNIFE OR CUTTING SURFACE AS YOUR MEAT!!!!! 


            -HANDLE YOUR MEAT (perv...i know what your thinking)
                      Here's the deal with meat the bacteria it typically houses can only live under certain conditions.
                      When your not using it stick it in the freezer. If you plan to use it place it in the fridge. If it is not
                      thawed by the time you need it run hot water over it from the sink. Last but not least cook it.
                      Your  ultimate goal is to make the most uncomfortable conditions for the bacterium. In other
                      words treat it as if it were an annoying guest you want to leave. First you freeze'em causing
                      the bacteria to slow down its growth and reproduction rates. Next you burn'em out. Different
                      meats require different temperatures to eradicate the vermin within them. I will include a chart
                      for your convenience. I suggest picking up a meat thermometer at your local store. DON'T
                      use a regular one i'm pretty sure they make them specifically for food for a reason.
                      http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/MeatTemperatureChart.htm


2. Association of preventing pirates and Freddy Krueger (APPFK)
         
          - PROPER KNIFE USE
                     Our hands our built for perfection and to handle highly complicated dexterously demanding tasks 
                     such as beating the living daylights out of the chickens in The Legend Of Zelda : Orcarina of Time.
                     To prevent your precious hands or anything from getting injured pay attention to what your doing 
                     and always cut away from yourself.


        - FIRE!!!!!!
                   Being a terrible cook you have probably been here before. I know I have. If your cooking with grease
                   have some baking soda on hand. I know the first thing you want to do is grab water. NOO BAD!!!!!
                   Dump the baking soda on the fire it will douse it and prevent any oxygen from getting to the fire. If your not
                   cooking with grease i'm pretty sure water will work fine or an extinguisher. It may be a good investment.
                   Don't forget to check your smoke alarm so if you happen to forget your food in the oven FOR AN HOUR
                   AND BURN COOKIES TO MY COOKIE SHEET this should let you know that hey your cooking 
                   food GET IT OUT NOW!!! 


          - STEAMY
                   The last hazard you should be aware of is steam. Its a nasty little mean head. When you boiling noodles or
                   decide to check your food in the oven BEWARE of the steam. It will burn your face and arms so don't
                   stick your head in the oven  or your arms over the pans.
                      


             
                     

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