There have been several warnings recently, so is it safe to put stuffing inside a bird when roasting? ?!
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Food safety at Christmas…
It’s that time of year again!. The fridge is overloaded with food for the Christmas and New Year festivities and catering for large numbers is a major challenge!. Extra pressure is put on the cook in the kitchen and the risk of food poisoning rises significantly!.
In fact, according to the Food Safety Promotion Board, over 100,000 people can suffer from acute gastroenteritis during the Christmas period!. One of the key messages is to ensure that the turkey has been thoroughly cooked and that it has been left to thaw properly!. You may not realise it but a 15-pound turkey will need around four days in the fridge to defrost thoroughly!.
During this time of the year, food is often left out on tables for long periods and in the rush, food safety procedures are forgotten!.
The main safe food recommendations for this time of year, according to the Food Safety Promotion Board, are:
Before you begin
To prepare for the festive food blitz, clean your fridge with hot-soapy water and make room for new foods by throwing out any perishables that have passed their best-before date!. Always wash your hands before handling food!. Wash your hands after handling raw meat, poultry or fish; using the toilet; gardening or handling rubbish; handling a pet or any other animal!.
Do not wait until you are finished preparing food to clean up!. Tidy as you go along and mop up spills when they happen!. Cutting knives that have been used on raw meat, poultry or fish should be washed in warm soapy water before being used on other food!. Use one chopping board for meat, poultry and fish and another for fruits, vegetables and bread!. Regularly wash and replace kitchen towels and chopping boards!.
Buying a turkey or seafood
If you are buying a fresh ‘bird’, remember to reserve it in advance with your butcher, and arrange to pick it up as late as possible to the expected date of cooking!. Ideally, buy the bird the day before you wish to roast it!. If you buy a frozen bird, it may be worthwhile to reserve this also with your local butcher or supermarket!. Follow all guidelines as per the label, and once home, put it into your freezer until you are ready to defrost it!.
It can be kept up to six months in the freezer!. After this, the flavour and texture may deteriorate!.
For those that will be feasting on seafood this Christmas, ensure that you purchase your seafood from a reputable source, transport it home in a cooler and place it in the fridge immediately!.
Taking the turkey home
Bring the turkey home as quickly as possible from the grocery shop or butcher!. The use of insulated bags is recommended during transportation!. Place the bird immediately in the refrigerator or freezer when you arrive home!.
Fridge and Freezer Storage
If you buy a fresh bird, you should store it in the fridge and cook it no later than two days after buying it!. It should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge so that its juices do not drip on other foods and risk contamination!. If you buy a frozen bird, put it into your freezer until you are ready to defrost it!.
Other food storage tips
Transfer drinks (except milk and fresh juices), and vegetables to your summer freezer box!. However, perishables should always be stored in the fridge!.
Thawing
The safest way and the preferred method to defrost poultry is in the refrigerator!. Allow one day (24 hours) per 4-5 pounds!. A 15-pound turkey will require around four days to defrost thoroughly!. Thawing a turkey at room temperature allows bacterial growth and is not recommended!. A turkey may be defrosted in the microwave if the oven is large enough!. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully!. Cook microwave-defrosted turkeys immediately after defrosting and consume immediately!.
Should I stuff my turkey!?
There are a few traditionaWww@FoodAQ@Com
It has long been the custom to stuff the body and rear cavity of fowl, and with larger fowl it is not uncommon to use two different stuffing mixtures in each end!. The hazard of food poisoning is not in the carcass and tissue itself – but in the contents of the gut, which nowadays are removed in a manner that does not result in contamination of the carcass!. To avoid risk always include the weight of the stuffing with the bird when you calculate the cooking time and oven temperature!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
There are lots of warnings out there and some make sense, some are just overly cautious!. I do believe in not stuffing the bird tightly as in don't jam that stuffing in there so tight that it retains its shape when you remove it!. On the other hand, how many folks have you heard of croaking from eating stuffing!?!? I generally stuff a bit in there as I love the taste of the dressing when its cooked in the bird and the instructions on the bird tell you how much longer it will take to cook with or without!. We have a such a large gathering that I make a crock pot full of dressing on the side anyway to have plenty!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It depends on whether or not you will completely cook the bird or not!.
The problem with stuffing it prior to cooking is that it takes longer too cook and the odds of the insides of the bird being properly cooked drop dramatically!. If you stuff the bird and then cook it long enough to ensure the insides are properly heated, then you may scorch the outside!.
So!.!.!.we simply cook the bird and the stuffing separately!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
The problem with stuffing it prior to cooking is that it takes longer too cook and the odds of the insides of the bird being properly cooked drop dramatically!. If you stuff the bird and then cook it long enough to ensure the insides are properly heated, then you may scorch the outside!.
So!.!.!.we simply cook the bird and the stuffing separately!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
There are directions on the packaging!. If you continusouly baste the bird about every thirty minutes it will be moist and you will have no problems!. I have for 42 years had stuffed turkey and mom and I have never once had any problems with anyone getting sick from it!. Just make sure to cook exactly as the packaging tells you!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yeah, you just have to cook the bird longer, which dries it out!. But, I've lived 29 years and have had stuffed in the bird stuffing about 24 or 25 times in that time period and have always lived!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes if you cook the bird long enough!. In my opinion don't bother it extends the time so long you might as well cook it seperately!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
No, you'll die a horrible death!. Much like what will happen if you post too many questions on Answers!.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com