Parties can be bacteria farms when food is involved, but being a cootie-cop at a get-together is a buzzkill. If you can't control your guests, you can control your part of the soiree. Here are some common sense tips on food prep that will keep your guests from running for the Pepto.
Wash Your Hands Often
If you just cut chicken, don't then go chop some carrot sticks without washing your hands. Be liberal with the soap. Wash them between prepping any food that can contaminate other ingredients. Also, wash the surfaces you just used, especially if you have limited space.
Wash Those Veggies Too
We know the bag of salad you bought says "triple washed." Clean it anyway! Caution is key when handling food.
Hand Sanitizer
If you put a bottle of Purel on the table, people will use it. It's a gentle reminder for folks that gatherings are germy affairs.
Make Food Zones
Separate prep workstations keep meat away from veggies and other ingredients. This avoids cross-contamination of pathogens or allergens. It also makes sure your vegan friends won't worry that the broccoli touched the braciole.
Check Expiration Dates
Take extra care checking expiration dates when you're shopping for supplies. Additionally, if you are using food products that have been in your fridge for a few days, double-check for freshness, especially with things like dairy, meat, poultry, and fish.
Tongs Are Your Friend
It makes us nuts when people shove their paws into the chicken wings. Tongs can save the day. Have enough serving tongs so people get the hint not to manually serve themselves. Plenty of cheap disposable tongs are available for purchase in stores or online.
At the end of the day, no one can prepare food in a perfectly sterile environment. It's your kitchen, not a hospital. But if you use some simple precautions, you'll have happy diners who won't be clutching their guts when they get home. You can find great tips about food safety and more at Foodsafety.gov.
