Why I Stopped Guessing If My Food Was Cooked
Before I brought my work home with me (literally), I used to rely on instinct to decide if food was cooked. I’d poke, prod, and judge by colour or texture. The result? My kids chewed their way through chicken so tough it felt like a jaw workout. Dinner at our house was basically a gym session – for your mouth.
🔥 The Truth About “Thorough Cooking”
We all know that foods like chicken, eggs, burgers, pork, and rolled joints need to be cooked properly to kill harmful bacteria. But what does “properly” even mean?
Many people think you can tell by:
- Colour
- Texture
- Whether the juices run clear
But here’s the truth: you can’t. What you’re really aiming for is pasteurisation—cooking food to a temperature that kills bacteria. The magic number? 75°C for at least 18 seconds. That’s it. No guesswork. No dry chicken.
🌡️ The Game-Changer: A Food Thermometer
Years ago, I introduced a food thermometer from work into our kitchen. It changed everything. From then on we cooked to temperature – not to colour. Even the teenagers were on board!
And guess what? Food doesn’t have to be dry or overcooked. In fact, cooking to 75°C can give you tender, succulent chicken breasts, burgers that are not over-done, and at Christmas a moist delicious turkey with not a hint of dryness.
✅ Simple Steps for Safe, Tasty Food
Here’s how to take the guesswork out of cooking:
Use a clean probe thermometer
(Sanitize it by putting in a cup of just boiled water before use)Insert it into the thickest part of the food (don’t go all the way through and take the temperature of the grill or baking tray)
Look for 75°C (or follow specific guidance for the food type). If it is not up to temperature, then sanitise the probe tip and try a bit later.
Enjoy food that’s safe AND delicious
🧠 Final Thought
We don’t need to fear food – but we do need to respect it. Cooking to temperature is easy, affordable, and takes the stress out of mealtimes. So ditch the guesswork, grab a thermometer, and serve up food that’s safe, succulent and doesn’t mean a trip to the dentist.
