Maintaining kitchen hygiene
At a time when we are reeling globally under pandemic scare, it is very important to maintain hygiene in the kitchen, so that the food we eat is free from any contamination and provides nourishment to our body which is so much required in these times. In conversation with Times Food, Chef Kiran Chauhan, Head Chef, Krua Thai-Gurgaon gives tips on maintaining hygiene in the kitchen.
Wash your hands
Making sure your hands are clean is at the top of the kitchen hygiene rules list. It’s easy for bacteria/ virus to be transferred, so wash your hands throughout prepping and cooking food especially while handling poultry farm food items, and meat.
Handling bins
Do not carelessly dump waste or allow them to pile up at one corner of the kitchen. The bins should be covered properly, and the trash should be taken out regularly.
Correct food storage
Accurate temperature is a must when it comes to non-vegetarian food or else it can lead to several diseases and stale the raw meat which will further be harmful when consumed. Also ensure that leftovers or open food packets are covered with cling film or sealed in an airtight container. Don’t put warm food into the fridge and keep your fridge clear of any expired items.
Use of clean chopping board
Bits of food left on a chopping board will soon breed germs, so scrubbing down your board immediately after use is vital to stop the spread.
Cooking food thoroughly
Cooking a non-vegetarian meal may require a lot of time therefore one needs to be patient. An undercooked meal leads to a lot of serious health issues besides food infection.
Sterilize chopping equipments
One should always wash and sterilize the knife they use for chopping the meat. The same knife should not be used to chop the second time. Even the kitchen should have a separate section where raw non-vegetarian food is processed. The utensils should be washed thoroughly and frequently and made sure they are exposed to some sunlight to kill germs.
Avoid touching cooked food with hands
Why do we have serving spoons for? One should never touch cooked food with hands and should serve it or handle it with the right kind of spoon.
