A Guide to Food Safety, Knife Skills, and a Customizable, Hands-On Meal Experience
Whether you are on the go or just wanting a yummy snack, burritos offer a delightful blend of textures and tastes. In foods class, we prioritize food safety, practice knife skills, and make mindful choices for our fillings.
Food Safety First
Maintaining food safety practices is paramount in every kitchen, and burrito-making is no exception. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Wash Hands Thoroughly: Before handling any ingredients, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Keep Ingredients Fresh: Ensure that all ingredients, especially meats and dairy, are fresh and stored at the appropriate temperatures to prevent contamination.
Cook Meats Properly: Cook chicken to 165 internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.
Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats
Refrigerate Promptly: After assembling your burritos, promptly refrigerate any leftovers (2 hours maximum) to inhibit bacterial growth.
Mastering Knife Skills
Here are some knife skills to hone:
Proper Grip: Hold the knife firmly with your dominant hand while steadying the food with your non-dominant hand.
Place a damp dishtowel under your cutting board to keep it in place
Slice, Dice, and Chop: Learn the techniques for slicing, dicing, and chopping various ingredients uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution. Focus on your fingers - use the claw to hold food.
Knife Maintenance: Keep your knives sharp (we do that at school) and properly maintained to ensure precision and safety while cutting. Let me know if you knife needs sharpening.
Mindful Nutrition Choices
Crafting a nutritious burrito involves making thoughtful choices about ingredients and portion sizes. Consider these tips:
Load Up on Vegetables: Incorporate a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, corn, avocado. lime juice, cilantro, and leafy greens for added vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Choose Lean Proteins: Opt for lean proteins such as grilled chicken or beans to reduce saturated fat intake while still providing essential nutrients.
Watch Portion Sizes: Be mindful of portion sizes, especially with calorie-dense ingredients like cheese, sour cream.
Balance Flavors: Aim for a balance of flavors by incorporating ingredients with different tastes and textures, such as sweet corn, creamy avocado, tangy salsa, and spicy salt-free chipotle seasoning mix.
That's a wrap! Now get rolling and craft your own burrito! (puns intended) Maybe you could create a burrito making station at home and treat your family or friends to a customizable, DIY, hands-on meal experience! Feel free to use your own recipe or try our class recipe. Let me know how it goes!