A Word about Safety (Before You Begin)

Safety and common sense are the two most important ingredients in any recipe. Before you begin to make the recipes in this book, take a few minutes to master some simple kitchen safety rules.

• Ask an adult to be your assistant chef.
To ensure your safety, some steps in a recipe are best done with the help of an adult, like handling pots of boiling water or hot cooking oils. Good cooking is about teamwork. With an adult assistant to help, you’ve got the makings of a perfect team.

• Read the entire recipe before you start to prepare it, and have a clear understanding of how the recipe works.
If something is not clear, ask your teammate to explain it.

• Dress the part of a chef.
Wear an apron. Tie back long hair so that it’s out of your food and away from open flames. Why not do what a chef does and wear a clean hat to cover your hair!

• Always start with clean hands and a clean kitchen before you begin any recipe.
Always wash your hands again after handling raw meat, poultry, or fish. Leave the kitchen clean when you’re done.

• Pot holders and hot pads are your friends.
The hands they save may be your own. Use them only if they are dry. Using wet holders on a hot pot can cause a serious burn!

• Keep the handles of the pots and pans turned toward the middle of the stove.
That way you won’t accidentally hit them and knock over pots of hot food. Always use pot holders to open or move a pan on the stove or in the oven.

• Remember to turn off the stove and oven when you are finished cooking.
Sounds like a simple idea, but it’s easy to forget.

This Safety Tip was published in 'The Cooking Of Brazil (Seconds Edition) by "Matthew Locricchio" - p8 and p9'