Tips for Weathering Warm-Weather Get-Togethers
Here are a few simple food safety tips to help ensure your summer soiree is a success.
Keep it cool. Open your cooler as few times as possible. Every time you open it, cold air escapes and the temperature rises.
Keep it dry. Place all food in watertight containers before placing them in the cooler. Add water to the ice, which keeps your treats colder longer.
Be resourceful. If you don't have blue-ice packs, you can fill up zip-top baggies, plastic or cardboard cartons with water and freeze ahead of time. And, when the water inside the baggies or sealed plastic jugs melts, you have ice-cold drinking water.
Just chill. Chill all food before putting it into your ice-filled cooler. Adding warm or even room-temperature foods reduces your storage time.
Marinate on this. Toss out the leftover marinade. Food-borne illnesses like to linger in marinades or sauces that have been basking in the sun.
Keep it fresh. Refrigerate leftover hot foods immediately to avoid bacteria contamination.
