Host a Safe and Delicious Holiday Party

November 22, 2011

Courtesy Family Features and Palmolive

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Following simple preparation tips will ensure food safety for your next gathering. Liv Friis-larsen/Fotolia

When hosting a holiday party, there’s plenty to consider – from the decorations and guest list to the beverages and food items. But as you get your home ready for the festive feast, don’t forget to take extra precautions when preparing the meal to avoid spreading bacteria.

Here are a few simple tips to ensure safe food preparation for your holiday feast.

• When thawing frozen meat or seafood, don’t leave it out on the counter. Place the meat or fish on a plate and cover with plastic wrap, then store in the refrigerator.
• Use a glass cutting board when slicing raw meats and vegetables. The surface of a plastic or wood cutting board can get cut and nicked by knives while preparing food, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
• If you tend to favor one knife for slicing and dicing, wash the knife each time you move on to a new type of food to avoid passing bacteria from one food item to the next.
• Clean as you go; wash knives, cutting boards, dishware and other prep tools after each use. If you clean as you cook, you will reduce the risk of transferring bacteria to other surfaces in your kitchen, ingredients or food prep tools.
• Make sure to clean your sink – including the faucet – after rinsing fresh vegetables or washing dishes and kitchen tools.