Turkey Tips

Christmas comes but once a year, so make sure yours is a happy one and avoid falling ‘fowl’ of turkey tummy!

By taking the time to read these tips from Epping Forest District Council Environmental Health Officers you could avoid turning your Christmas dinner into a disaster.

If you are buying a frozen turkey, leave enough time to defrost it thoroughly, preferably in the bottom of a fridge. Ensure the bird is in a deep tray or dish that will contain the defrosting juices and prevent them contaminating other foods. A fresh turkey should also be kept in the same way until you are ready to start cooking.

• Always keep raw and cooked foods separate.
• Make sure your hands, utensils and worktops are clean. Items such as knives and chopping boards should be washed with hot soapy water and disinfectant after preparing raw foods.
• Giblets should be removed before cooking. Cook the stuffing separately, rather than in the cavity of the bird, as this increases the overall cooking time.
• Plan a roasting time of 40 minutes per kg at 190°C, Gas Mark 5. Fractions of Kilos are also easy to calculate by allowing ten minutes for each additional 1⁄4 kg eg, a 5.5kg bird will take 220 minutes (three hours 40 minutes), a 6.7kg bird 270 mins (four hours 40 minutes).
• Make sure you leave enough time to cook your turkey right through. Check it is cooked by putting a skewer into the deepestpart and checking that the juices run clear. If the juice is still pink, it needs more cooking.
• Once you have finished your Christmas lunch, make sure any leftovers go into the fridge. Don’t leave food hanging around at room temperature. Food should be kept at 5°C or below, so make sure you have a thermometer in your fridge so that you can check the temperature of your food.
• Eat leftovers within two days.
• Take care with dishcloths and teatowels - they can spread bacteria round your kitchen. Change cloths regularly and make sure you do not spread bacteria from an area used to prepare raw food to the rest of the kitchen.

The table below will help you work out how long to thaw and cook your turkey. Remember, this is only a guide, so you still need to check that the turkey is properly cooked.

Portfolio Holder for Environmental Protection Councillor Mary Sartin said: “I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all our residents a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.”

Further advice is available from Environmental Services on 01992 564085 or go to:
• www.foodstandards.gov.uk
• www.nhs.uk
• www.britishturkey.co.uk

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