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Random Mon Aug 03 2009
Looking into the Fridge Abyss
I have a friend staying with me later this week, and in preparation for her arrival I've turned my place upside down in my attempts to clean it thoroughly. She likes to cook and I want to make sure that her experience in my small kitchen is positive. As sad as it seems, I spent Saturday night cleaning out my fridge. Whoa. The space was a magnet for weird bits of errant quinoa, drips of dried beet juice and a dark sludge in the crisper that may have been from the celery that I bought a few months ago and left to die unused. Urgh.
I went deeper and cleaned out my freezer, which had turned into a solid block of years-old (and in some cases, many years-old) bags of freezerburned frozen vegetables and Italian sausage. After I cleared out the debris, I could see the ice trays again, as well as the actual base of the freezer. Hello, friend.
I felt guilty about getting rid of so much food, even though all of it was spoiled or expired in one way or another (I need lessons on how to better store it). Fittingly, I got hungry, so I started looking at what was left in the freezer, eyeing a lone Gardenburger Meatloaf patty that had to have been bought, well, a few years ago (and I think it's no longer even being made, judging from the website--aw, jeez). I made myself a caprese salad sans cheese (ironically, I just bought some buffalo mozzarella but discovered it was rancid--even the grocery store I go to doesn't clear out its shelves often enough), and sat down to chow. Much to my surprise, the meatloaf was surprisingly intact and totally edible. Which is not a reason to let my fridge go into decline again. That said, here are some suggestions on how to store fresh as well as frozen produce. Wish me luck as my eyes turn to my pantry.
daruma / August 3, 2009 1:46 PM
You should consider investing in some tupperware - they have some really great new products including "Fridgesmart" and "Freezermates" that really work. I know a consultant if you want to have a party!