The nice thing about the holidays is lots of leftovers. Leftover ham, prime rib, meatballs, turkey...yes, we have a lot of leftovers and probably will not have to cook for a whole week (which is the best part). I always find myself saying that sometimes leftovers are better than the original when it comes to holidays since those green bean and sweet potato casseroles have extra time to mix.
The down side of lots of leftovers is a very overstuffed, dirty, and smelly refrigerator.
When I first moved to my current city of residence outside of college, I lived with the nicest Italian family for a year. The older couple needed the company, and I needed a cheap place to rent in the unfamiliar town, away from any family or friends. What was supposed to be a two month living arrangement with a sister-in-law of a aunt of a friend became a year long home retreat. However, should you ever have the opportunity to live with an Italian family, do so, because the homemade pasta, meatballs, and sauce is outstanding.
With family constantly and coming and going at that house, there always seemed to be a lot of food. Again along with that was an overstuffed fridge. We always teased the cook of having weeks-old food crammed into the back that was harvesting new sights and smells. Then you would reach for a condiment that had been expired for at least a year.
Sounds like some others I know! The fridge becomes so full that it literally starts falling apart and breaking down. Has this happened to you? I must say I learned so much from my dear friends, including to periodically dig through my fridge for old food.
So when the company leaves, take a few minutes to recapture your fridge.
Take everything out setting it on the counters, wipe all the shelves, walls, and doors down with a clean, soapy rag, and place an open baking soda box inside. Next, go through all the leftovers, condiments, and produce in the fridge. Throw away old leftovers, check expiration dates, and toss out shriveled, molded produce.
While you are at it, do the same for your pantry. Place non-perishable, unopened items that are still good but you have not used or will not use in the near future in a bag for the food-pantry. Be sure to tackle the spice drawer that have spices from ten years ago (yes, I know my mother-in-law is reading this).
To keep your fridge looking nice longer, be sure to put the items still for use back in the fridge nicely stacked and coordinated according to use. Keep labels and a pen next to the fridge to label your leftovers with the date immediately when putting them away, never using anything past a week. Make sure to seal all bottles tightly, storing them upright. When thawing meats, place them on a cookie sheet in the fridge to catch any and all juices. Keep a bread drawer/cupboard for your bread. Have a basket for produce that does not need to be kept cold. Buy only condiments you regularly use unless you have a special recipe. Never put breakable or dangerous foods toward the bottom where a kids can reach. Use your second fridge in the garage for pop cans, water bottles, extra milk, and other big items that take up space. And above all, clean your fridge out when it gets full again (I like to wipe it out again before I buy more groceries because there is less to work around).
Enjoy your leftovers this Christmas season! That is if you can find them!
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