While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

>Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after tasting

After tasting in MY kitchen, NO. After tasting in my client's or
friend's kitchen, YES. It's just better hygiene and looks less "gross"
to onlookers. If I have an illness at home, I will also change spoons
even though the heat of the pot and food will probably be killing any
cold viruses. The notion that any remnants of saliva left on a spoon
will alter the taste of the sauce is assinine to say the very least.

"James Egan" > wrote in message

> . It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

Not in my house. If I'm cooking at someone else's place I would to be
polite. Fact is, the hot sauce is going to kill most germs if any get into
the sauce.

> "James Egan" > wrote in message
>
> > . It's not like I
> > slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> > your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>
>



Like the others say "not in my house."

James Egan wrote:
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

On tv, cooks use spoons,. In their kitchens, they dip fingers. They
sterilize them between dips by rubbing them on nearby hourly employees.

Saliva is one of the secret ingredients in most high-class restaurants.
It contains enzymes that break down foods so they can use cheaper cuts
of meat and past-prime veggies.

No, seriously...

Pastorio

Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin', we're gonna do what they say
can't be done. We got a long way to go, and a short time to get there.
I'm eastbound, just watch ol' "James Egan" run.

>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>


Oh, don't worry. It is perfectly fine to lick the spoon when preparing
food for somewon else. This is no problem. You're not going to spread
germs this way. It's also normal to not wash your hands after you use
the toilet. I mean, it's not like you're shitting on your hands, right?
And you know what else? It's OK to lick your fingers to turn the pages
of a magazine while sitting in a Hospital waiting room. Who cares, you
know? So what if hundreds of sick and diseased people pass through
there every day, sitting there and reading the same magazines as you,
licking their fingers and touching every page. SO WHAT! Man, these
people who worry about this stuff are just a bunch of prudes! Ha ha,
what a silly thing to fret over.

The time has come, the Walrus said, To talk of many things:
Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing-wax -- Of cabbages -- and kings --
And why the sea is boiling hot -- And whether "Wavy G" can sing:
>
> Oh, don't worry. It is perfectly fine to lick the spoon when preparing
> food for somewon else. This is no problem. You're not going to spread
> germs this way. It's also normal to not wash your hands after you use
> the toilet. I mean, it's not like you're shitting on your hands, right?
> And you know what else? It's OK to lick your fingers to turn the pages
> of a magazine while sitting in a Hospital waiting room. Who cares, you
> know?

If one's immune system is never challenged, it gets bored and starts
*looking* for something to attack -- next thing you know, you got an
autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

Licking the spoon is a public service if you think about it...

Best regards,
Bob

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

Certainly not. Such a infinitesimal amount of saliva couldn't possibly have
any effect on the sauce. As for germs, well the heat's gonna kill them
anyway.

Sample on, my dear.

chula

In article >,
zxcvbob > wrote:

> The time has come, the Walrus said, To talk of many things:
> Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing-wax -- Of cabbages -- and kings --
> And why the sea is boiling hot -- And whether "Wavy G" can sing:
> >
> > Oh, don't worry. It is perfectly fine to lick the spoon when preparing
> > food for somewon else. This is no problem. You're not going to spread
> > germs this way. It's also normal to not wash your hands after you use
> > the toilet. I mean, it's not like you're shitting on your hands, right?
> > And you know what else? It's OK to lick your fingers to turn the pages
> > of a magazine while sitting in a Hospital waiting room. Who cares, you
> > know?
>
> If one's immune system is never challenged, it gets bored and starts
> *looking* for something to attack -- next thing you know, you got an
> autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
>
> Licking the spoon is a public service if you think about it...
>
> Best regards,
> Bob

<snickers>
So is peeing in the public swimming pool, and not washing hands after
using the toilet if one works in a restaraunt kitchen I guess. ;-)

Especially if you do any hand-mixing sans gloves...

I'll have to send you a gram stained slide of saliva from a "healthy"
individual sometime so you can look at it under the microscope.

You'll never "french kiss" anyone ever again!
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

The enzymes story is nonsense - human enzymes are quickly deactivated at
anything like boiling point, typically they operate correctly over a range
of only a few degrees C.

As for spreading bacteria or viruses most will also be killed fairly quickly
at boiling point and the chances are that within a family you have all
shared them about before the spaghetti is cooked anyway. However if one of
my family had (say) infectious hepatitis I might get more careful.

I use a clean spoon each time (mostly unless I forget) because I will soon
be cooking in an environment where I don't want to be caught re-using. Yes
it's only the fear of being caught by somebody (outside the family) who
might worry about it that alters my behaviour not the actual risk of doing
harm.

David

"Food For Thought" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> >Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after tasting
>
> After tasting in MY kitchen, NO. After tasting in my client's or
> friend's kitchen, YES. It's just better hygiene and looks less "gross"
> to onlookers. If I have an illness at home, I will also change spoons
> even though the heat of the pot and food will probably be killing any
> cold viruses. The notion that any remnants of saliva left on a spoon
> will alter the taste of the sauce is assinine to say the very least.

Assinine? Surely at least assininetine.


Shaun aRe - I agree with the above post.

Dog3 wrote:
> "Food For Thought" > wrote in
> ups.com:
>
>>> Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after tasting
>>
>> After tasting in MY kitchen, NO. After tasting in my client's or
>> friend's kitchen, YES. It's just better hygiene and looks less
>> "gross" to onlookers. If I have an illness at home, I will also
>> change spoons even though the heat of the pot and food will probably
>> be killing any cold viruses. The notion that any remnants of
>> saliva left on a spoon will alter the taste of the sauce is assinine
>> to say the very least.
>>
>>
>
> I never clean the spoon after tasting. I seldom cook by an exact
> recipe but more by taste. Gawd, I would be at the sink washing the
> same spoon all day. I don't have clients but I would most likely do
> as FFT does and wash the spoon after each taste for appearance. I
> might suggest heavy duty plastic spoons to taste if one believes
> saliva alters the taste of food. Then you can just toss the used
> spoon away.

My husband is mortified when I double dip after tasting. I try to tell him
that the heat kills the germs, but he doesn't get it, so I *am* at the sink
all day when I'm cooking soups or stews. I waste more time and water
cleaning a darn utensil. (When he's not here or not looking, I still
double-dip. Don't tell! Shhhhhhh.)

kili

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 23:10:58 -0400, James Egan >
wrote:

>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

The saliva won't affect the tomato sauce.

Generally, and especially when I expect to serve whatever to others, I
use a clean spoon each time. I have plenty of teaspoons and a
dishwasher, so it's no big deal. I do that not so much out of belief
that my germs will survive the cooking process, as out of habit.

It's also a good practice when making something where the final
product isn't going to be cooked, eg. potato salad

So, I do it to maintain what is a good habit rather than assess every
situation. I don't use fingers.

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

James Egan > wrote:

>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>


One way is to use your stirring spoon to place some of the food into a
tasting spoon. You do not have to keep washing the tasting spoon
since it never goes into the food being prepared and the stirring
spoon never goes into anyone's mouth.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral, 48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

The enzymes will have no effect and will in fact be broken down by the heat.
Also any bacteria will be killed by the heat. But if you are with fussy
people and do not want to gross them out, use a clean teaspoon each time for
tasting.


--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

On Wed 27 Apr 2005 10:53:15p, Rick Rider wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 23:10:58 -0400, James Egan
> > wrote:
>
>>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after
>>tasting? Be honest! <g>
>
> I like watching the Iron Chef shows, both original and America, where
> the chefs dip fingers to taste and if they use a spoon, they use it more
> than once. Real world.
>
> If in my own kitchen, I use spoon, finger, whatever. If I have company,
> and they are watching/helping I defer to etiquette and use a different
> spoon each time.

So...what they don't know won't hurt them, right? :-)


--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

On Thu 28 Apr 2005 05:31:00a, Peter Aitken wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> "James Egan" > wrote in message
> news
>> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after
>> tasting? Be honest! <g>
>
> The enzymes will have no effect and will in fact be broken down by the
> heat. Also any bacteria will be killed by the heat. But if you are with
> fussy people and do not want to gross them out, use a clean teaspoon
> each time for tasting.

Yes, and make a huge production of it! <g>



--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

>My husband is mortified when I double dip after tasting.

Then we can presume he never kisses you. ;-)

zxcvbob wrote:

> If one's immune system is never challenged, it gets bored and starts
> *looking* for something to attack -- next thing you know, you got an
> autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
>
> Licking the spoon is a public service if you think about it...

I don't know about your rationale, but I agree with the general idea. I figure
that if you keep your hygiene standards too high you lose your ability to cope
with infections and end up getting sick. I was pretty healthy as a kid . When
I was about three my mother rushed me to the doctor because she caught me
drinking out of the ditch. The doctor said that if I was any indication of
what happens to kids who drink water out of ditches he was going to start
prescribing it.

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

No - Spaghetti sauce is why they invented Italian bread!

Aside from that the sauce on the spoon is too strong and will not give a decent
indication of the flavor on the pasta.

Dimitri

One time on Usenet, James Egan > said:

> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

I don't use my cooking utensils to taste test, I get a teaspoon
from the drawer. If DH wants a taste, he grabs a fresh teaspoon.
If I need to taste more than once, I get yet another teaspoon.
To each their own I guess, but I don't want my spit in everyone
else's food, or vice versa...

--
Jani in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same
way that bricks don't" - D. Adams, HGTTG

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

To me, that's not much different than picking up someone elses dirty utensil
to eat with. Or everyone eating out of the same bowl.
Would it hurt me? Probably not, but I'd prefer to have only *my* saliva in
my food. I guess it comes down to your standards of cleanliness. Is it
really that much trouble to grab a clean spoon?
H

From: (James=A0Egan)

>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce,
> I taste the sauce (or gravy) occasionally to
> test. My wife maintains that I should clean the
> spoon each time, because my saliva will
> adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I
> understand that saliva contains enzymes and
> that their purpose is to break down food.
> However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the
> sauce will have any significantly adverse
> affect. It's not like I slobber on the spoon!
> Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon
> after tasting? Be honest! <g>

I only ever cook for myself and my BF, and never in anyone else`s house.
I also use the same spoon over and over for tasting without washing it,
and so does BF. Neither one of us minds, we eat off each other`s plates
and share bites and such sometimes anyway. As far as saliva effecting
the food, I doubt it.

"kilikini" > wrote in message
. ..

>
> My husband is mortified when I double dip after tasting. I try to tell
> him
> that the heat kills the germs, but he doesn't get it, so I *am* at the
> sink
> all day when I'm cooking soups or stews. I waste more time and water
> cleaning a darn utensil. (When he's not here or not looking, I still
> double-dip. Don't tell! Shhhhhhh.)
>
> kili
>
>

Has it never occured to anyone to dip out a small amount with the stirring
spoon and put it on a small plate or in a cup and taste it with a tasting
spoon?

Kathy

"Dimitri" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "James Egan" > wrote in message
> news
>> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>
>
> No - Spaghetti sauce is why they invented Italian bread!
>
> Aside from that the sauce on the spoon is too strong and will not give a
> decent indication of the flavor on the pasta.
>
> Dimitri

It will to an experienced cook.


--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

"Hairy" > wrote in message
...
>
> "James Egan" > wrote in message
> news
>> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>
>
> To me, that's not much different than picking up someone elses dirty
> utensil
> to eat with. Or everyone eating out of the same bowl.
> Would it hurt me? Probably not, but I'd prefer to have only *my* saliva in
> my food. I guess it comes down to your standards of cleanliness. Is it
> really that much trouble to grab a clean spoon?
> H
>
>

Right, gotta watch out for COOTIES!


--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

James Egan wrote:
> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

Use a "tasting spoon". duh Keep a dedicated spoon at your cooking
station and each time you taste dribble some from your wooden pot spoon
into your tasting spoon... totally hygienic, saves washing many spoons
and so simple a concept that I'm suprised no one else here has thought
of it, although I shouldn't be so surprised, since if you totalled all
the IQs of all those who responded previously they don't add up to one
normal intelligence. Ahahahahahahahaha. . . .

Sheldon

"K. Reece" > wrote in message
...
>
> "kilikini" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
> >
> > My husband is mortified when I double dip after tasting. I try to tell
> > him
> > that the heat kills the germs, but he doesn't get it, so I *am* at the
> > sink
> > all day when I'm cooking soups or stews. I waste more time and water
> > cleaning a darn utensil. (When he's not here or not looking, I still
> > double-dip. Don't tell! Shhhhhhh.)
> >
> > kili
> >
> >
>
> Has it never occured to anyone to dip out a small amount with the stirring
> spoon and put it on a small plate or in a cup and taste it with a tasting
> spoon?
>
> Kathy
>
>

I was just going to write that! That is exactly what I do.

Elly

On Thu 28 Apr 2005 08:56:51a, K. Reece wrote in rec.food.cooking:

>
> "kilikini" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
>>
>> My husband is mortified when I double dip after tasting. I try to tell
>> him that the heat kills the germs, but he doesn't get it, so I *am* at
>> the sink all day when I'm cooking soups or stews. I waste more time
>> and water cleaning a darn utensil. (When he's not here or not looking,
>> I still double-dip. Don't tell! Shhhhhhh.)
>>
>> kili
>>
>>
>
> Has it never occured to anyone to dip out a small amount with the
> stirring spoon and put it on a small plate or in a cup and taste it with
> a tasting spoon?
>
> Kathy

That's actually what I most often do. If it's not something that will
need repeated tasting, I just get a new spoon. We keep two sets of
flatware in our kitchen drawers, each set having 16 teaspoons. I haven't
yet run out of spoons to use, and our dishwasher doesn't mind.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

"K. Reece" > wrote

> Has it never occured to anyone to dip out a small amount with the stirring
> spoon and put it on a small plate or in a cup and taste it with a tasting
> spoon?

The idea is to grab a piece of bread and go for it. Having said that,
what's
the big deal, assuming it's just family. I don't know about you, but
especially
if the food is hot, the spoon doesn't even touch my mouth, it's like swoosh!
like a food air kiss or something.

Speaking of double dipping, I did repremand my mil. (laugh) I know,
rude. But ... I won't bore you with the whole story, but the end of it was
we went out to lunch at a restaurant of my choice. They have this really
great vegetable (crudite) dish and dip, I could not WAIT to have that.
Kept my eyes on her, I just knew what was coming, she gummed a
piece of celery half to death, I mean all strings and saliva.

I have to wonder why a denture wearer would choose celery, but whatever.

Sure enough, she went back for the dip with the celery. I said, no double
dipping. She was astonished at such an idea. (laugh) Oh. Couple of
minutes later, now I know she's going to say something. I had taken this
huge slap of carrot, broken it into two so I could dip each half.
Triumphantly,
she said ... YOU DOUBLEDIPPED. No, I didn't.

You had to know my mil to know why it's a funny story. Her favorite song
was memememememe.

nancy

On 2005-04-28, James Egan > wrote:

> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

Not a problem. I dip into my spaghetti sauce with a peace of buttered
sourdough bread. By time the sauce is finished, I'm full.

nb

James Egan wrote:

> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

My mother freaks when she sees me taste something and stick the
spoon back in, so if she is here I make sure that she sees me
wash it off before using it again. Otherwise, you don't want to
know what goes on in my kitchen. I do promise that if
something falls on the floor I will check it for dog hair
before it goes on a plate.

James Egan wrote:

> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

Transmission of hepatitis would be the main concern. People do not
necessarily know they have it.

gtoomey

Gregory Toomey wrote:
> James Egan wrote:
>
>
>>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>>your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>
>
>
> Transmission of hepatitis would be the main concern. People do not
> necessarily know they have it.
>
> gtoomey

Well, my family and friends are still alive after doing the same as
James for 25 years, so I guess it can't be all that lethal...

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 23:10:58 -0400, James Egan >
wrote:

>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains

I taste-test with a clean teaspoon... then just put into the sink with
the dirty dishes - it can get washed later! There are some things that
are utterly ruined by the addition of saliva - like milk dishes. I
learnt that the hard way when I was quite young. You don't want to see
a custard that's been 'double-dipped' and left to stand in the fridge
overnight. For most things however, it doesn't make a jot of
difference. I still try to avoid it though - my mother taught me that
it was 'not nice'.
~Karen aka Kajikit
Crafts, cats, and chocolate - the three essentials of life
http://www.kajikitscorner.com
*remove 'nospam' to reply

You could have a stirring spoon and a tasting spoon, I suppose. Just
make sure not to get them mixed up. I've forgotten which was which
before though, and have stirred sauces with a tasting spoon and vice
versa with no adverse effect on the food, and with no one else the
wiser. If anyone objects to the way I cook, I tell them to feel free to
take over. =o)

Melissa

"James Egan" > wrote in message
news
>
> Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

I use either a little bowl for tasting, or else I dump from the stirring
spoon onto the tasting spoon.

If my husband is around, I will set a cup full of clean teaspoons on the
stove next to the pot, because he's a double-dipper at times.

Dave Smith wrote:

>James Egan wrote:
>
>
>
>>While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
>>sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
>>that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
>>will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
>>that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
>>break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
>>amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
>>have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
>>slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
>>your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>
>>
>>
>
>My mother freaks when she sees me taste something and stick the
>spoon back in, so if she is here I make sure that she sees me
>wash it off before using it again. Otherwise, you don't want to
>know what goes on in my kitchen. I do promise that if
>something falls on the floor I will check it for dog hair
>before it goes on a plate.
>
>
>
But do you actually remove the dog hair??? :-)

--
You wanna measure, or you wanna cook?

> If one's immune system is never challenged, it gets bored and starts
> *looking* for something to attack -- next thing you know, you got an
> autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
>
> Licking the spoon is a public service if you think about it...
>
> Best regards,
> Bob

This has been a philosophy of mine for quite some time. I could never
understand why people are innoculated with virii to build their immune
system against them, yet the mere thought of coming into contact with
bacteria is too horrible to even mention. Seems like if you wanted to
build up a good immune system you would want to be exposed to as much
as possible.

Personally, I rarely wash my hands and have a very strong immune
system. I can't recommend this philosophy for everyone but it sure
works for me.

chula

One time on Usenet, Dave Smith > said:

> I do promise that if something falls on the floor I will check it for
> dog hair before it goes on a plate.

*Smile* You reminded me of the time that Mom made us a chicken on
her rotisserie grill, and DH dropped it on the floor while removing
it from the spit. Fortunately she had just cleaned the floor the day
before -- we all had a good laugh and ate it anyway...

--
Jani in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same
way that bricks don't" - D. Adams, HGTTG