How to Handle and Keep Leftovers

Most of the time after we have eaten dinner with our family, there are still food in our dining table that are left uneaten. These uneaten, cooked foods are generally referred to as leftovers. Leftover foods can be stored in the refrigerator for some time and can be re-heated or cooked into a new dish.

But then, not all leftovers are safe to eat. Food poisoning usually happens when cooked foods are left in the table or in the counter for more than 2 hours. Bacteria and other contaminants will most likely land on the food and the food can cause harm to the body when eaten. Proper handling and storing of leftovers is crucial in order to ensure that the food remains safe to eat and will still taste good.

Foods that are left uneaten should immediately be stored in the refrigerator and not left in the counter or table for more than 2 hours. During hot weather, it is best to store the food not later than an hour. This is because foods spoil fast on a hot environment. Cooked foods that will not be refrigerated should be re-heated within 2 hours after it was cooked and that it must be completed heated and not just warmed.

When handling leftovers, you should make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before placing the food in a small, airtight container. If you will store plenty of food in containers, you must leave some space between containers so that the food will cool faster. Hot foods can even be stored immediately in the refrigerator because most refrigerators nowadays can already handle the heat.

It is also wise to date leftovers so you will know when it was cooked and up to when it is safe to eat. Generally, cooked foods can be stored and eaten up to 4 days. If you’re in doubt on whether the food is still safe to eat then throw it right away. Your health is more important than the food you’re going to throw although it is much better if you cook food that are enough for your family so there will be no leftovers.

Leftover foods in can should right away be thrown and not refrigerated. The metal in cans might possibly be included in the food thus changing its taste and making it unsafe. For leftover stuffed chicken or turkey, you should remove the stuffing and store it in a separate container.

Be wise when it comes to handling and storing leftovers so that you can avoid wasting your leftover food and you can even prepare a new dish from it.