Check for Spoiled Food Due to a Power OutageAlways keep a quarter on top of a frozen ice cube tray. If the quarter has sunk to the bottom, you know the things in the freezer thawed and refroze during a power outage and are not safe to eat. This tip is especially useful if you were away from home on vacation for a few days or more.
Read Expiration Dates on Canned GoodsI recently opened a can of mandarin oranges. The smell was fine, but the can had turned a deep gray inside. I looked at the expiration date and they had been in my room mate's pantry for 3.5 years.
Watch For GMO In Corn ProductsBecause polenta is made from corn, it is likely to contain GMO, (genetically modified organism) as does soy bean, canola and sugar beets.
Watch For GMOs and Additives In Dry MilkI just read the post for using dried milk for cooking and saving organic liquid milk for drinking and use on cereal. My question is, have you read the label on the dried milk to make sure it is not made from cows treated with growth hormones, fed antibiotics, and herbicide in their feed stuff?
Chill Food SafelyI had worked in many restaurants through the years and know the importance of keeping food either hot or cold. While preparing a meal, I chill my leftover bowls and tops in the freezer and when I have finished eating fill them with the hot food.
Sterilizing SpongesI put kitchen sponges in my dishwasher and run the cycle with a cup of bleach. After the dishwasher disinfects of the kitchen sponges, I spray them with a disinfectant spray and place in the microwave for about 50 seconds on high power.
Cooking Freezer Burned MeatFreezer burn does not make food unsafe, merely dry in spots. It appears as grayish-brown leathery spots and is caused by air reaching the surface of the food. Simply cut these portions away either before or after cooking.
Warning: Don't Reuse Coffee Grounds Day After DayCaution: This is a "what not to do" with food tip! The host told me how me makes the coffee in the morning and I just had my last cup. Say today is day one, he pours in the water from the tap, adds the amount of coffee for the water, then brews it.
Use Ice Cubes To Check Freezer OperationIf you're traveling, or need to leave your home when evacuated, place several ice cubes on a small plate and place them in the middle of your freezer. If you come home, and they are melted, immediately suspect that the food in your refrigerator may be bad.
Be Sure To Check Canned Goods Before UsingYesterday I cleaned out the pantry and found myself looking at a can lid that appeared different. Not dirty, not rusted, just a little odd. I pushed my finger on the top of the lid and it made a pop down and up - and directly into the trash it went.
Preparing Ground Beef For Safe ConsumptionWith the recent recall of fresh and frozen ground beef, it's more important then ever to cook ground beef safely. Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.
IMPORTANT: Peter Pan Peanut Butter RecallSome jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter have been recalled due to salmonella poisoning.
Warning About Storing Garlic Cloves In OilThere is a common kitchen tip that says to store peeled garlic cloves in oil, unfortunately, botulism can develop when garlic is stored in this manner, especially if it is stored at room temperature.
Is It OK To Use Moldy Cheese?If your block of cheese has gotten moldy, don't worry. Just slice the mold off and then you can use the rest of the cheese.
Add Prunes to Ground Beef to Fight E-ColiThis is a thrifty tip because it saves on medication or doctor visit(s) if you are sick. The tip is to puree prunes with just enough water to make a thick paste. Mix 1 tablespoon of this paste to each pound of hamburger.
Recall of Raw AlmondsThere has been a recall of raw almonds due to a potential infection with Salmonella. Eating these almonds raw can cause extreme food poisoning 12-36 hours after eating them.
