It is hard to believe that the holidays are almost here! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. I am finally considered an “adult” in my family. With being an adult, you finally get your own family holiday. My holiday is Thanksgiving, and I love it! The yummy smells, great food and spending time with my large, extended family and friends make all the preparation worth it.
Speaking of prep work, there are a few things to keep in mind while cooking for the holidays. Actually, this can be applied for cooking in general.
- Staying healthy for thanksgiving is ideal. There are a few safe measures to defrost your turkey. Turkey should not be thawed by sitting on your countertop. You can thaw the turkey in the fridge, microwave, or water submersion. Please read the packaging of the turkey. Once the turkey is defrosted, it should be cooked right away.
- Remember to clean all surfaces and wash your hands regularly. Raw turkey can contain salmonella or other bacteria and should not come into contact with other raw or uncooked food.
- According the U.S. Fire Administration, over 4,000 home fires happen on Thanksgiving*. Wear short sleeves or close-fitting sleeves while cooking. Do not leave the kitchen while grilling or frying. Use timers while simmering, broiling and baking. Turn pot handles in. Candles add ambiance, but remember not to leave them unattended.
- And we should not forget about our four-legged family members. Do not give them raw turkey or bones. Turkey bones are hollow and can splinter if chewed on. While sage is tasty, the essential oils can be harmful when ingested. In addition, dogs shouldn't be fed grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol or anything with caffeine. Remember to take out the garbage since we know our pets do not always make the best digestive decisions.
I do enjoy putting on a delicious sit-down family holiday. I just wish that with the days of preparation, the meal would last more than 15 minutes!
Happy Thanksgiving!
*TFRS Volume 11, Issue 5/Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings
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