Got leftover food? Here's how to store them safely
While hosting a feast at home, most of us usually end up arranging or preparing more food than needed to serve all the guests. This leads to a lot of leftover food, which is best utilized by consuming it later. However, to do that, it is important to ensure that you are storing it the right way. These tips will help.
Follow the two-hour rule
Within two hours of being removed from the oven or refrigerator, place all perishable items back into the fridge. If the temperature outside is higher than 32 degrees Celcius, the time limit to do that gets dropped to one hour, so keep a check. To prevent foodborne infections, throw away any food that has been left out for longer than two hours.
Use clean dishes and utensils
Before handling any prepared food, especially offerings that will be stored for later consumption, always wash your hands with soap and water. At the same time, use clean utensils and store the dishes in properly-washed containers. Food should never be put back into the same container it was in before cooking, unless the container has been thoroughly cleaned with soap and water.
Opt for small and shallow containers
After the party, place the items to be chilled or frozen in small, shallow containers with a height of three inches or less. Remember to completely cover them. Leave some distance between these containers instead of stacking them straight next to one another. The space around the containers leads to faster cooling and will minimize the time for bacterial growth.
Consume within four days
Within three-four days, consume any leftovers that you may have stored in the freezer. It's important to keep in mind that frozen leftovers may lose some of their quality over time, so it's ideal to use them quickly for the greatest flavor and texture. To get rid of any dangerous bacteria, make sure leftovers are heated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
Reuse the food
Do not shy away from experimenting with your food. If you got bored of using the leftover food the same way you have consumed it before, then try out new recipes with it. You can also try it with other food combinations. This way, you can enjoy it more and probably will finish it easily without wasting and storing it again.
