How To Clean A Turkey

How to prevent salmonella poisoning

BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- With 36 million pounds of ground turkey being recalled due to reports of salmonella, a U.S. infectious disease expert advises how to avoid the disease.

"In most individuals who are healthy, the illness that salmonella causes will be self-limiting, meaning it will resolve on its own without any treatment," Dr. Thomas A. Russo of the University at Buffalo says in a statement. "If you are healthy and you become sick from salmonella, you will experience diarrhea, you may run a low-grade fever and you may feel lethargic for a few days but you will improve fairly quickly."

However, those whose immune systems are compromised, can become much sicker from salmonella poisoning.

"Anyone who is taking steroids, individuals on certain cancer chemotherapies, transplant recipients on immunosuppressive drugs, those with sickle-cell disease, anyone infected with HIV/AIDS, people with certain rheumatologic conditions that are on biologic modulates such as TNF-alpha inhibitors as well as newborns and those older than age 70 would be at increased risk and should take extra precautions."

To avoid contamination grilling ground beef or turkey, Russo advises:

-- Always use a clean plate for cooked patties.

-- Any time someone touches raw meat, they need to wash their hands well and any surfaces they or the meat have touched.

-- Wash down kitchen surfaces with 1 tablespoon of bleach with one gallon of water.

-- Cook ground turkey to 160-165 degrees F. Check temperature with a thermometer.

How to Make the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey - Next Day Catering ...

First you need to decide how big a turkey you will need to buy. It is wise to allot 3/4 of a pound to one pound for each person who you will be serving. If you are buying a frozen turkey make sure you allow adequate time to defrost the bird. You will want to let the turkey thaw in your refrigerator for two to five days to ensure that it is entirely defrosted. Turkeys that are still frozen on the inside will not cook through and through. When you are ready to cook, it is a good idea to rinse the entire bird and pat the skin dry with a clean towel or cheesecloth. Butchers often stuff the innards back into the prepared turkey so you have to get the inside cavity clean by rinsing it out like you did with the outside. You can preheat the oven while you are doing the preparations as this will ensure the perfect temperature when you are finally ready to cook. Oven bags are a good way to making everything simple. If you do decide to go this route, place a couple tablespoons of flour in the bag to coat the inside before putting in the turkey. Follow the instructions closely and don't forget to cut air vents into the bag. For a turkey that's bursting with flavor, consider stuffing the skin with butter and herb and spices. Loosen the skin of the turkey by separating it from the beat with your fingers. The skin will be loose and you will find 'pockets' between the skin and the meat. You can fill these with melted butter, spices, juice concentrates, even minced onions, apples, or garlic. This will help give the turkey meat flavor, as well as keep the meat nice and moist. Stuffing is sometimes as popular as the turkey itself. You also make an instant side dish that is sure to taste great and go with the turkey perfectly. Prepare your favorite stuffing and stuff the cavity of the turkey loosely. Don't do it to the point of bursting because you don't want to clean up that mess after. As an alternative, you can stuff chopped apples, onions, pears, garlic and onion in there for additional flavor. Account for the cooking time as a stuffed turkey cooks differently. You can use a wet rub or dry rub to flavor the turkey's skin. Use the same seasoning and marinade you used inside for a good harmony of flavor. Make sure to catch all the pan drippings so that you can make a rich gravy for later. When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it sit a while before carving. Gather 'round the Thanksgiving table and enjoy!

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