When you cook do you put your hands in the mixture?

[Dayafterday]

It goes through me when I see chefs with their hands in the food eg mixing mince. I would always use a fork or mixing spoon and only touch the food if I absolutely have to.

I don’t like to see chefs placing the food or moving it around on the plate either.

Probably best I don’t see what happens to my food before it’s served in a restaurant.

How would you make a sandwich with a spoon? Or eat an apple without using your hands?

It depends. When making up a mince mixtire for burgers or kebabs, yes, because using hands ensures an even spread of ingredients. I use my hands for making shortcrust pastry as well.

Why do you have an issue with it? Their hands will be washed beforehand and straight afterwards.

I would eat a sandwich with my hands! I mean getting your hands right in the mixture eg mince and onion. James Martin did it on tv last week.

I agree with you a bit. The constant touching of food once it's on the plate is a bit ewww. Leave it alone.

I don't make pastry because I really don't like sticking my hands in it.

Don't they wear gloves?

I do, because I'm Indian and we just mix everything by hand because it's the most efficient way to do it. But then we eat with our hands too which some people think is uncivilised and gross. I don't cook meat though and I'm not sure I'd be happy squelching around in mince.

Sorry, but you are being a little OTT about this. Mixing up mince with clean hands is by far the most effective way to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly spread. You have to handle the mince with your hands if making home made burgers or kebabs anyway.

You wash your hands beforehand and then afterwards. It's a non issue.

Yes, I’m happy to get stick in with my hands

I’m with you OP, I don’t touch raw meat unless absolutely necessary.

@Teakind

I’m with you OP, I don’t touch raw meat unless absolutely necessary.

I'm the same with raw meat. I don't really like handling it at all, and I wouldn't put my hands in mince. I should probably go veggie, I don't eat much meat anyway. I can't eat stuff on the bone caveman style etc.

It really depends on what I am making, e.g. homemade burgers yes definitely get my hands in there.

How do you make pastry without getting your hands in there, or pasta? Or place the component parts of a pizza top on the base, bone a lamb flank and roll it or any number of other everyday kitchen tasks?

It amazes me that so many people are so scared of food.

How would one make meatballs if not with your hands? You can't roll them in to a ball any other way. Might as well mix it with your hands too as it's far more effective!

It amazes me that so many people are so scared of food.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Some people are so overly fastidious. all you need to do is wash your hands thoroughly.

I put my hands in lots of things and am teaching DD to do the same!

I prefer not to, particularly if you could use a spoon. I don’t mind dry ingredients so much, I’d happily sprinkle cheese and breadcrumbs on top of a pasta bake, for Example. Some times it’s unavoidable though, crumble, pastry, fishcakes etc

I always mix with my hands but I hate it when people put their hands in mince with rings on and it gets all stuck to the ring setting!

I don't eat royal icing for this very reason. I can almost taste the hand sweat from them endlessly twiddling it around in their fingers. Boak!

Yeah I do, but minimally.
For instance, I would mix the stuffing mix with the wet ingredients using a spoon, then use the spoon to get about the right amount for a stuffing ball, but roll it in my hand because it's the only way to do it. Some things need the warmth of your hands though, like bread, crumble and pastry. I don't touch the mix in fairy Cakes as I don't need to, but would decorate them with my fingers.

I wear gloves if I have to get my hands in the food.

When you cook do you put your hands in the mixture?
Of course - how else would I make pastry? Or clean my fingernails?

It's the easiest/best way to mix mince though, or toss a salad, and you cannot make bread or pastry without your hands.

If you wash your hands it's fine.

It doesn't do to be a fusspot...

@kooked

I don't eat royal icing for this very reason. I can almost taste the hand sweat from them endlessly twiddling it around in their fingers. Boak!

Surely you can’t apply royal with your hands? Fondant yes, but Royal is too wet?

I just finished mixing and kneading a sourdough loaf with my hands. A messy, sticky job but my hands were clean before and washed after.

I use my hands quite often.

Of course, that's why we have hands, to do stuff with them.