I knew this day would come: my husband wants to grill in the kitchen. Two kids later and we are still in an apartment. He is itching for his own grill and has his man apron all ready for that special day! Surrendering to the fact that grilling in his own backyard has to wait another year, he went and bought himself a grill for the top burner of our stove and made a very yummy grilled chicken dinner (though in reality this might be another secret attempt at the Atkins low carb diet, so be on the lookout for a very cranky carb jonesing man driving around town).
We have always prided ourselves in carefully sanitizing everything raw meat and vegetables we cook with....so I thought, until I came across Chef Cat Cora's "Cooking Preparation Tips". First when thawing, don't leave it out on the counter. O.K. first error that I and everybody I know have made for years. It's best to keep the meat in the fridge while it thaws. I guess you have to expect it will take a little longer. A little longer in the fridge is a much better and safer alternative, however. Another shocker, use glass cutting boards since plastic and wood can get cut by the knives and bacteria can hide in the "porous areas". Good grief, time to go shopping!
Did you know that "bacteria on a cutting board can double after 10 minutes of use"? And the bacteria can be from raw meat or vegetables. I always figured that E. coli dies after the air hits it. I guess not, apparently this kitchen enigma can last up to three days on washed and dried dishes! Chef Cat Cora also recommends cleaning as you go and using Ultra Palmolive Antibacterial Dish Liquid, which kills 99.9 % of salmonella, E. coli and Staph. She states that "cleaning while you cook will help reduce the risk of transferring bacteria to other surfaces or ingredients".
I remember Palmolive, the original green soap, as it has been a true staple in my family since I was a child. My Grandmother only used Palmolive. Even the smell reminds me of her. Too bad she didn't have the new antibacterial version, she always bent the rules when it came to raw meat, not to mention she brushed her teeth in the kitchen sink (yeah I know, I thought the same thing as I gulped down my rice krispies...).
