Re: Let’s clean out the fridge, Feb. 11
I am a 76-year-old housewife and enjoy my cooking and kitchen and fridge. About the limp celery and suggesting that it be kept in plastic — sometimes it still gets limp. I have a suggestion. Recently I began putting a paper towel loosely around the celery and back in the sack in the fridge it goes, and I must say it stays wonderfully crisp.
Darlene, Lakewood
Should lettuce that’s been “triple washed and trimmed” be washed? What does Mary Lee think? Also, what is best to wash lettuce with? Is just plain water OK?
Kay Long
Your bagged, triple washed and trimmed lettuce should be safe to eat without further washing. You could even cross-contaminate the produce from your own hands or sink if you do wash the lettuce. But some experts recommend that all produce be washed.
If you do choose to wash your lettuce, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before handling the lettuce. Make sure all your equipment that touches the lettuce is scrupulously clean.
In my kitchen, I place small amounts of lettuce at a time in a colander, and rinse very well. Plain water will suffice. Dry in salad spinner or paper towels that have not been used for other purposes.
Here are some steps you can take:
1. Make sure the bag does not contain wilted, bruised or damaged leaves.
2. Check the sell-by or use-by date. Purchase by the longest future date.
3. Make sure the bag of lettuce is refrigerated at the store. I dig around to the back to get the coldest packages and refrigerate promptly at home.
4. Avoid contact between the lettuce with raw meat or seafood in your cart, bags and home storage.
Mary Lee Chin
