Leaving cooked meat out risks illness or death

Dear Heloise: My sons and I have this running disagreement. I keep cooked meat out on the stove or counter if it will be used again the same day.

When I was growing up, we kept leftovers from Sunday lunch for supper and nothing happened, and there was no air conditioning. I need to know what is the safe amount of time to leave cooked meat out. Thank you. Pat Z., Warren, Ohio

Safe is relative! What is the temperature in the kitchen? What is the food? How was it prepared? Leaving cooked food out on the counter or stove until the next mealtime isn’t a good idea. The rule of thumb is generally to put cooked meat and poultry dishes into the fridge as soon as possible to avoid problems.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, many deaths and food-related illnesses can be attributed to food being left out on the counter at room temperature! Food should be refrigerated promptly, no matter what the season, because bacteria grow so rapidly at room temperatures. The safest place for leftovers is the fridge. Heloise

Dear Heloise: My husband and I both like the little brown rolls of chewy candy. But sometimes they are so hard! Just put a couple in the microwave for a second or two (on low power — Heloise) and they will soften right up! M.J., Santa Ana, Calif.

Yummy! Just be careful, as the candy could be very hot! And don’t heat longer than a second or two. Heloise

Dear Heloise: After buying bunches of grapes, wash them and then hang them from your banana stand. It makes for easy access, and the grapes last longer without going soft. Kimberely Walker, Kingston, Ontario

Dear Heloise: I read your hint about putting food coloring in the water when boiling eggs to distinguish them later from raw ones. I have an instant test that always works. Spin the egg around on a flat surface. Fully cooked eggs will spin swiftly; raw eggs will wobble or not spin. Jan, Modjeska Canyon, Calif.

We have had so many respond to this hint! Mary from South Dakota also marks her cooked eggs with an “X” (use a pencil only -- Heloise) so she can easily distinguish them from the uncooked ones when storing. Heloise

Dear Heloise: To pick up spilled ice from the floor, dampen a hand towel and run over the cubes. This prevents them from skidding all over the floor and makes cleanup very simple. Joy Stupl, Conroe, Texas

Dear Heloise: When I place my meat grinder on my dining-room table, I place several layers of paper toweling down first and then attach the grinder clamp. This protects the table surface, and all is well. K.M., Baltimore

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate