It’s important to know what you’re doing when cooking meat and seafood. Good practices ensure your food is fresh, safe to eat, and tasty. The staff at Alaska Sausage & Seafood in Anchorage, AK, sell delicious meats and smoked seafood. They recommend following the do’s and don’ts below when buying and preparing these items.

Do:

Store it properly.

Proper storage keeps seafood at a safe temperature, preventing bacteria growth. If you plan on cooking it within two days, place it in the refrigerator. Otherwise, securely wrap the items in plastic and leave them in the freezer. After you’ve made the meal, refrigerate leftovers, like smoked seafood, and never leave them at room temperature for over two hours.

Know how to work with different varieties.

All smoked seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which you can check with a cooking thermometer. Each variety of fish has unique signs that it’s ready. For example, clams are done when the shells open. With most fish, you can look for opaque meat that gently separates with a probing fork.

Don’t:

Buy anything with suspect packaging.

As you’re shopping, be very picky about which fish you purchase. Packages that have ice crystals on their exterior have been thawed and refrozen, which is dangerous. Don’t buy any containers that look damaged; for instance, if they appear dropped or opened. Smell fresh seafood before buying it and avoid anything with the hint of ammonia.

Cross-contaminate.

Be careful handling raw meat. Wash your hands thoroughly immediately before and after touching it. Never put raw seafood next to other food items. Do not use the same preparation surfaces, such as cutting boards or countertops, without cleaning them first.

Follow these safety guidelines when you’re ready to cook. For the best quality meat, turn to Alaska Sausage & Seafood. Their selection ranges from gourmet sausages to smoked seafood, as well as unique gift packages for those foodies in your life. When you’re done shopping, visit them online for delicious recipe ideas. Contact their customer service department at (907) 562-3636 with any questions.