As a foodie working at the health department, you’ve got the best of both worlds—appreciating delicious food and promoting food safety. Here are some light-hearted tips tailored for a foodie like yourself:
Cleanliness: Remember, the only thing you want to spread at your BBQ is laughter, not bacteria. So, wash those hands and keep your kitchen or prep space sparkling clean that even Gordon Ramsay would appreciate.
Marinating: Treat your marinade like a VIP guest. Give it a luxurious stay in the fridge, away from the heat. After working its magic in the fridge, it’ll be ready to transform ordinary ingredients into taste sensations that would make any proteins wanna take a dip. Make sure you discard the marinade the meat was in or cook it on the stove and magically turn it into a sauce as the perfect accompaniment!
Thawing: Forget about thawing meat on the counter; that’s no place to vacation. Stick to the refrigerator or the microwave’s defrost setting, no passports required!
Storage: Keep your raw meats in their own VIP section of the fridge, far away from the ready-to-eat foods. They might get jealous. If so, remind them nobody wants food drama.
Cooking temperature: Get a food thermometer, your BBQ’s friendly sidekick. Use that trusty gadget to make sure your meat is hotter than a summer day but not so hot that it becomes a charcoal briquette.
Grill safety: Keep safety center stage while you orchestrate a symphony of sizzling flavors as the BBQ maestro. Don’t forget to keep your grill away from anything that can go up in flames faster than a firework. Safety first, fun second!
Serving: Keep your gloves handy for plating and handling foods that are ready-to-eat or finished cooking. Food should be a lovely display, but most importantly safely handled. Also, keep those perishables cool and those hot dishes hot.
Leftovers: As a foodie, you know the importance of savoring every morsel. If there are any leftovers (which is doubtful), make sure you give them a proper cool down in the fridge so you can transform them into culinary masterpieces and continue enjoying them the next day.
Need some inspiration for your next BBQ? Try this super simple watermelon salad!
1 brick of feta cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper
drizzle of olive oil
drizzle of balsamic reduction
Toss watermelon and feta, then dress with olive oil and salt and pepper. Dish it up on a platter and finish with a drizzle balsamic reduction. Serve chilled and enjoy the compliments!
Remember, food safety is important, but it doesn’t have to be boring. So, grill on, have a blast, and let the good times and delicious food roll at your summer BBQs! For more helpful information on food safety and handling, visit the CDC’s food safety page or Skagit County Public Health’s website.