Chicken - what would you have done?

[Mrs Ava]

I had 6 chicken thighs in the fridge, but foolishly I forgot they were there and they went out of date by 1 day, so I quickly bunged them in the freezer.  Got them out yesterday and cooked them today, but they smelt.....well gamey is the only way I can describe it.  I tried a piece when they were cooked, and they tasted fine, but again, were a little strong flavoured - not enough to really notice, and I don't know if I were imagining it as I was already worried, but they tasted......slightly different.  So, they ended up in the bin and we are now on spag bol for supper.

My question is, what would you have done? :-\

[Mrs Ava]

[flossie]

The same as you - not worth making you and your family sick
Hope that you all enjoyed the spag bol :P

[tim]

How long were they in the freezer?  

I reckon you did right. BBE dates are usually very generous, but chicken is a law unto itself.

And what is your fridge temp? When did you last do an overnight check?

[Mrs Ava]

They were only in the freezer for a week.  I don't normally take a great deal of notice of BB dates, but the smell was what made me worry.

Fridge temp - no idea, and check.......I never have!  I am a bad housewife!!

Thanks Flossie, good to know I am not alone.  I LOATH throwing food away, but the thought of me and the kids all seeing the chicken again rather put me off.

[supersprout]

What you did, and I would have felt a tad guilty about it too :-\

[Blue Bird]

You did the right thing but next time cook them and then freeze - I would have poached them without the skin and then froze them.

Always best to be safe than sorry with pork or chicken

[tim]

BAD EJ!!  Temp, esp with sprogs, 3C??

Less for raw meat.

BB - yes!

[Mrs Ava]

 :( :-\ :(

[supersprout]

[Curryandchips]

I think I would have done the same. I also hate the idea of throwing food away, but dodgy chicken can be frightening !!!

Derek :)

[kitten]

I'd have done the same as you EJ, in fact I've done it a few times ( :-\ ).

[Emagggie]

Same as you EJ, not one for chances,but the dog would have had a tasty tea. ;D

[carolinej]

I'm with you on this one EJ. Never worth the risk.

cj :)

[Doris_Pinks]

If in doubt, throw it out! is  (is my kitchen mantra!)

I would have chucked them too EJ, or fed them to the OH! :o :o

Just kidding, I am REALLY cautious with chicken, and have been known to throw a whole bird cos it smelt a bit off and felt a tad slimey! :-\

[Barnowl]

You did the right thing EJ - that's one of the reasons we have a sense of smell :)

[agapanthus]

Were they organic/free range? They have a stronger smell than
intensively farmed ones.

[Deb P]

If in doubt...put under one of my cats noses! If they turn their nose up, you know it must be dodgy! ;D

[tabbycat]

I'd have done exactly the same and turned the air blue with curses that I'd
a) had to throw food away, and
b) that I'd not been organised enough to think of cooking them before I froze them. (BB - will remember that next time)

having given myself food poisoning once by not cooking sausage rolls for long enough, I'm now absolutely paranoid about it, especially if it involves the girls food. I'd never forgive myself if I made them ill...... all that time off school would mean I couldn't be down the lottie..... ;D  (am not that mean really  ;))

[Rosyred]

I've had chicken in date and start to smell. Wouldn't freeze it though but wash in lemon juice and water or salt water and cook. Usually it ends up in a highly spiced dish ie curry!

[artichoke]

Well, I agree with Rosyred. Douse it in vinegar or lemon and cook v thoroughly.

I was invited by son's new Thai girfriend to supper, and was just leaving when son phoned, aghast, because she was using chicken from not v cold fridge 11 days beyond date!

Quandary! What to do??? Offend lovely g/f by refusing to eat her meal, or suffer hideously from food poisoning?

Calmly decided on the latter (couldn't face the former). Meal delicious and no consequences whatsoever (apart from the fact that their flat was so terribly cold that we all three wore blankets and hot water bottles, and I gave them 2 heaters and a heating allowance for Christmas).