EEkkk!

[gategrrl]

I made a ground beef chili mixture for the crock pot at noon, and only twenty minutes ago (ie, three hours later) realized that the stupid Crock pot hadn't been plugged in!

If the chili has been sitting out on the counter, with a glass cover on, in 70 degree temperatures, do you think it's still okay to turn the crock pot on and cook it? Or should I just toss the stuff? I can't believe I didn't check the pot to make sure it was plugged in! Crap!


UPDATE:

I tossed it. Actually, I let it cook in the crockpot for about three hours, first. Why? Cuz I love the odor of cooking food, and dammit, I was NOT going to be cheated out of *that*!  And then the dog was going nuts because of the meaty smell, so I gave him a scoop of the Chili. He was shockingly tenative. Barely nibbled, although I could tell he wanted some. I guess the chili was too spicey for him! Poor dog. He was upset he couldn't eat it! (and just as well: I can imagine the butt-explosives coming out of him a few hours after eating it)

Comments

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

It should be okay as long as you cook it well, unless you have some really volatile ingredient in it, like raw eggs or mayo.

Then again, I have a cast iron stomach. *g* Your millage may vary.

[khek.livejournal.com]

Well, I would still make it. But I cut mold off of cheese and use that too, so... :)

[whisper99.livejournal.com]

Rule of thumb is: Never leave foods, raw or cooked, at room temperature longer than two hours. On a hot day with temperatures at 90 °F or warmer, this decreases to one hour.

I'd toss it, because I wouldn't want to risk giving the whole family something that could have been avoided.

[superbadgirl]

My mom would say that cooking it should kill the germs.

I would say toss it!

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

*icon love*