Prepare holiday food safely
Published 7:30 pm Wednesday, November 15, 2006
By Staff
Special to the Standard
I have found a Thanksgiving 8000 calorie poem that you may find humorous. The author is unknown. I hope you enjoy reading it.
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!
Thanksgiving is a time we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessing. Here are some tips to help you enjoy that wonderful tradition and special time together:
Purchasing Fresh or Frozen Turkeys?
If you are buying fresh turkey, allow 1 pound of turkey per person. Buy your turkey only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it.
Keep it stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak.
Do not buy fresh pre-stuffed turkeys. If not handled properly, any harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing can multiply very quickly.
If you are buying frozen turkey. allow 1 pound of turkey per person. Keep frozen until you're ready to thaw it. Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely; however, cook within 1 year for best quality.
See “Thawing Your Turkey” for thawing instructions.
Frozen Pre-Stuffed Turkeys: USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that display the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging. These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions. Do not thaw before cooking. Cook from the frozen state. Follow package directions for proper handling and cooking. Allow 1? pounds of turkey per person.
Thawing Your Turkey : There are three ways to thaw your turkey safely - in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave oven. In the Refrigerator (40