Raw Bar Catering Made Safe And Sure As The Tide

By Patty Goff


Eating raw food, whether they are meat or fish or vegetables, has been around for ages. From a hunter gutting his kill and having a slice out of its heart or liver to burying fresh fish and preparing ceviche to the popular sushi, some people just prefer raw rather than well done. Of course, there is a solid reason why the norm is to cook your meal first before consuming it.

There are dangers in eating something without cooking it thoroughly, from bacteria to pollution to contamination and parasites. But because of its taste, texture, health benefits in terms of preserving nutrients, and the boasting rights to a super fresh and expensive menu, the new trend in the food industry are raw bar catering NYC restaurants. Yet those waves of customers would not be returning to their favorite rare snack if they were not at least careful.

While fast foods pose greater threats to our health in a long term kind of way, raw food dangers are most often instantaneous. High risk individuals such as pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses are strongly discouraged to grab the sashimi, but if you are generally healthy, you can go for that tartare for as long as you have taken your precautions. The problem is, even healthy people are making themselves at risk by consuming all those living things in dangerously large amounts when moderation is the key.

Because extremely cold temperatures can also murder bacteria, this is how raw food is usually prepared. Frozen in something that is not just your ordinary freezer, they are kept fresh for safe consumption. Look for sushi grade meat to be assured you are getting non contaminated stuff.

You can get vibrio vulnificus from oysters if you consume them at the wrong season, such as summer, when heat thaws the ice designed to keep them fresh. Severe cases can lead to septicemia, and that is a situation you do not want to find yourself into. Vibrio vulnificus is not caused by pollution because they are natural inhabitants of the warm waters of the sea, so it is pointless to justify that your delightful shellfish are from clean sources. Rather, just order your oysters during the colder months.

There are seasonal raw bars that ride the wave of how certain mollusks can only be consumed on specific times of the year, but for the omniprescent ones, it is vital to ask the server which menu item is good for you today. Having the staff recommend what you should order will let you know their freshest stock in hand so you can be worry free. There are also many species and variations of clams, oysters, and scallops, and they may differ in taste and texture as they acquire their characteristics according to which ocean they are from.

The amount of seawater in your food will also determine how fresh your meal is. Look for movement to ensure your drunken shrimp and odori ebi are indeed alive. Look at the eyes of your fish and check if they are clear and not milky.

Beware of misshapen clams and tap them to know if they are still living. If they are dead, their shells will not close shut when you do so. They should not gape, and the clam meat should never be dry.

As a general rule, stick to the restaurant you trust. Opt for the farmed variety with their pedigrees written on the menu. And yes, do your research and keep your eyes on restaurant reviews, recommendations, and news.




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