Do you like putting on an apron and making a delicious snack for your family? How
about helping out at the stove, stirring and sniffing the sweet smells? Or making
cookies by cutting out your favorite shapes?
Although making food is fun, it's important to know how to be safe. This means
knowing when to get the help of an adult assistant, how to keep things clean, and
how to use the kitchen safely. Let's get cookin'!
Your Adult Assistant
If you've ever seen a cooking show on TV, you know that all the best chefs have
an assistant to help them out. If you're a kid, an adult assistant can come in handy
to make cooking easier and keep you safe.
Before beginning any recipe, get an adult's permission to work in the
kitchen. If your recipe uses knives, the stove, or other kitchen appliances, you must
have some adult help. Some things that adults use in the kitchen may seem simple to
operate, but once you use them yourself, you might be surprised by how difficult they
actually are. By having your assistant around, you can avoid surprises, stay safe,
and have fun while you cook.
What Should You Wear?
Wearing an apron will keep your clothes clean. If you don't have an apron, an old
shirt will do. But don't wear anything that's big and loose. Baggy sleeves or clothes
could catch fire or get caught in mixer beaters or other equipment.
Keep Germs Out of Your Food
A big part of safe cooking is keeping the chef and the kitchen clean. The idea
is to keep germs, which can
make you sick, out of your food. Always wash
your hands with soap and water immediately before you begin
any recipe. This is especially important for recipes that involve touching the
food directly, like kneading dough or mixing ingredients with your hands.
Also be sure to wash your hands before and after handling raw meat, poultry, egg,
and fish products because these foods can contain bacteria. You don't want that bacteria
getting on your hands because then they could end up in your mouth — yuck!
You also can fight germs by keeping your working surfaces (like countertops and
cutting boards) clean and dry. Wash them with soap and warm water after you're done
cooking.
Leftovers are great, but you don't want germs in them either. Ask your adult assistant
for help in storing any leftovers. Food may be refrigerated or frozen to keep it fresh.
Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Frozen leftovers are safe but lose
flavor when stored longer than 3 or 4 months.