jw 1111 wrote on 11 Sep 2005 in rec.food.cooking

> So for instance if you are cooking pork and the thermometer tells you
> it has reached this minimum temperature would that mean that its then
> really cooked? I understand that pork can have certain parasites in it
> that can affect humans and they need to be killed by complete cooking.
> Is there some 'time limit' then on how long pork need to be cooked at
> this minimum temperature or is reaching this minimum temperature just
> enough? thanks
>
>

While others told you about parasites...I'll tell you about resting times.
Meat cooking has a different outside temp to a core temp. If you let your
roast (whatever) sit the interior (core temp) temp will rise and the
exterior temp will drop, till they equalize before it starts to cools. In
other words it is still cooking while it rests. Resting also allows the
meat juices to be redistributed thru the meat (another good thing).

Think about it...in an oven the temp set at 350-450F... of course the
outside temp is higher than the inside, plus there is the loss of some
juices due to evapouration and wickage... etc. So the higher outside temp
of the meat still cooks the core of the meat for a period of time, plus it
equalizes the juice content while the meat rests.

There can be upto a 7 to 15 degree F increase of interior temp as the meat
rests...depending on resting period and cooking temp.

This applys to any cooking method that doesn't involve the meat sitting in
fluids, such as boiling, poaching, steaming and braising.


So now your beef roast is in the oven with a thermometer probe in it
telling you that the inside temp is say 135F, and you like a med-rare slice
of beef. Well take it out, and let the meat rest...in under 10-15 minutes
resting, the meat will have reached roundabout 140-145F making it in
the med-rare range.

With practice you will be able to get to the exact degree required for your
absolutely perfect degree of doneness.

Oh! resting usually involves putting a foil tent loosely over the meat.

--
The eyes are the mirrors....
But the ears...Ah the ears.
The ears keep the hat up.