As December begins, planning for upcoming holiday meals also takes form. The following tips will offer safety guidelines to help keep your and your family healthy and well into the new year.
Food preparation and planning
• Cook ahead whenever possible to mitigate stress.
• Always use caution when working with fowl of any kind.
• Wash your hands with warm soap and water before handling.
• If a cutting board is needed, be sure it is also cleaned before and after touching the fowl. Never use the cutting board for other kitchen duties until after it has been thoroughly washed with hot soapy water and towel-dried. This will prevent cross-contamination.
If you are cooking turkey, be sure you thaw it in the refrigerator using the following helpful guide.
Allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds
• 4 to 12 pounds: 1 to 3 days
• 12 to 16 pounds: 3 to 4 days
• 16 to 20 pounds: 4 to 5 days
• 20 to 24 pounds: 5 to 6 days
Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound
• 4 to 12 pounds: 2 to 6 hours
• 12 to 16 pounds: 6 to 8 hours
• 16 to 20 pounds : 8 to 10 hours
• 20 to 24 pounds: 10 to 12 hours
Carefully plan the cooking time for fowl. The package will include directions and times for cooking. If this is your first time to cook fowl, seek direction from a cookbook or reputable Internet cooking site.
Planning ahead and proper preparation will not only help to keep you and your family safe, but it will also help to keep your stress minimized so that you can fully enjoy this holiday season!
