Hot Weather Food Tips
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. That doesn't sound hard, does it?
Yet during the summer months, many people don't take the necessary steps to ensure their food is kept at the proper temperatures.
You can make sure your foods get to your destination in perfect condition; it just takes some forethought and planning, including safe food preparation, smart transportation of foods to your destination, and safely storing leftovers.
Here are some tips for outdoor food safety and convenience:
- Think ahead before opening your cooler. Every time you open it, cold air escapes and the temperature rises.
- If possible, have all your cooler food in watertight containers. Add water to the ice. This will keep the foods and beverages colder for a longer period.
- If you don't have blue-ice packs, you can fill up zipper-top plastic bags or cardboard cartons with water and freeze ahead of time. The melted ice can be used for cold drinking water.
- Be sure the food is already cold before putting it into a cold cooler of ice to keep temperatures low. Warm or even room temperature foods added to a cold cooler will reduce your storage time.
- Unless you have facilities to boil leftover marinades for sauce, toss out the leftover marinade or risk food-borne illness. Leftover hot foods need to be refrigerated or iced immediately to avoid bacteria contamination. Make sure you bring extra ice if you are away from home.
Fourth of July foods should be simple ones. Choose foods you can make ahead or prepare quickly so you can enjoy the celebration.
