Is it OK to eat Sweet and Sour Chicken the next day?

On Tuesday the cooker broke for the third time in 14 months for the same reason. Anyway if you’ve ever tried feeding a family without an oven or hob you quickly come to appreciate domestic cooking appliances; when they work. The service company can come to fix it next Monday. Sorry they can come and look at it next Monday and then they will go away for a week or so to get a part and then come back to fix it. I told them the part number for the switch from the previous paperwork, but either they didn’t believe me or they like wasting time. Anyway we will be without our beloved cooker for a couple of weeks.

Whenever I’m faced with a problem such as this I don’t get angry or panic I try to find new ways of not starving…

Last night on my home I called at the Chinese takeaway and this is the point of my post. I purchased two portions of fried rice a portion of chicken and black bean sauce and a portion of sweet and sour chicken. They chucked in a bag of prawn crackers for free. I got the kids jumbo sausage and chips form the chippy next door.

Anyway we ate everything except the portion of sweet and sour chicken and it was all very tasty.

Now I left the sweet and sour chicken on the kitchen worktop in its container with a lid on top and then put it into the refrigerator an hour or so later. It has remained there nicely chilled all night.

My question is will the sweet and sour chicken be OK to reheat and eat later today?

It was my first visit to this Chinese takeaway but it looked clean and the server seemed clean and tidy and the food itself was delicious.

I think this forum is making me paranoid - what do you think?

Regards,
Simon

Definitely paranoid!

Eat it, you only die once!! Seriously, should be fine. I've got three day old curry for dinner tonight, and I'm on immunosuppresants!

In Guatemala (and Mexico, I´ve heard) we have a "Leftovers Day". All the leftovers from the week are eaten on that day. Beans are made in large quantities to last for a week, too. And we´re talking tropics here...
Like I saw in a movie: I laugh with all my mouth at eating day old Chinese takeout!!!
Which makes me think: whenever we have Chinese, since portions are so big, we always have the leftovers the next day. Except for terrible thirst (too much MSG), I haven´t seen anything strange happen.

Well Simon based on Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 then provided you followed the following rules you food should be fine:

Maximum time for hot food in danger zone (8 - 63°C) 2 hours

Store chilled less than 8 °C

When reheating heat to a minimum temperature of 63°C

I just hope it wasn't battered sweet and sour as it will be pretty soggy.

Regards,

Tony

Dear Simon,

Well, I regularly divide my occasional food deliveries (nutritious macs, pizzas et) into 2 for next 1-2 day eating but then i minimise the thickness of the balance where possible to boost the chilling speed (as suggested in an earlier thread . ) I always try to reheat in an oven though rather than microwave and I do hv a few qualms where salads are involved (only use name brands) and other more notorious items like shrimps. So far the only "disappointments" hv come from salads, particularly (I suspect) where constituents such as chopped cabbage are involved (large surface area and probably large initial load and maybe inadequate washing or xcontam. etc).
> 2day delay involves consideration of deep freeze !

The practical question is assessing the parameters as per Tony's post which demands a (presumably mental) evaluation of yr technique and yr refrigerator / oven / microwave whatever. Not to mention the sharing aspect. Perhaps a consensus vote is required in yr case?

Rgds / Charles.C

PS I don't think I would do this if i thought my refrigerator wasroutinely running at 8degC, I target 6max but look for <=5. I also target to reheat considerably more than 63degC (rule of thumb from chemistry titration is 60degC is typically just too hot to hold )

PPS in contrast, i tend to (often unintentionally) ignore the 2 hr theory but depending on the item again.

P3S of course, small restaurants are undoubtedly experts on this subject, particularly on slow days

If you followed the 2 hour/4 hour rule and make sure you reheat over 65C and you should be good.

Personally, I LOVE cold pizza. LOL

I also target to reheat considerably more than 63degC

I agree Charles for example: temperature control measures in Scotland do differ significantly from those applying elsewhere in the UK in that food reheated must reach a temperature of 82°C.

Regards,

Tony

Thanks for the advice, but I had already eaten it long before I got any replies.

The good news is I’m still alive and well. It was actually delicious as is often the case with next day reheated food – why?

I think I complied with the rules and it was battered sweet and sour but not too soggy.

Maximum time for hot food in danger zone (8 - 63°C) 2 hours
Store chilled less than 8 °C
When reheating heat to a minimum temperature of 63°C
I just hope it wasn't battered sweet and sour as it will be pretty soggy.

I reheated in the microwave and the sauce was bubbling so I think I would have even satisfied the Scots.

Just for interest what bacteria could I have been exposed to? There was chicken in batter, some kind of sauce, peppers, onions, and I think some fruit like pineapple.

Regards,
Simon

Dear Simon,

I was going to say everything bar marine species but then I noticed the prawn crackers so congratulations, full house. (as against a running flush )

Rgds / Charles.C

Just for interest what bacteria could I have been exposed to?
Regards,
Simon

Hi Simon

Biggest risk would have been if you had some left over rice - Bacillus cereus toxin

Regards,

Tony

Hi Simon

Biggest risk would have been if you had some left over rice - Bacillus cereus toxin

Regards,

Tony

Thanks Tony - no rice was left over, but in my mind I always knew rice could be quite hazardous. I rememeber a wedding once where rice was on the buffet and it had been out a long time and caused carnage amongst the guests.

Regards,
Simon