- The Refrigerator is an important appliance in the Kitchen. Hence its important to clean it regularly besides just storing food in it. A clean fridge keeps your food fresh and healthy.
- Unload all things, vegetables, fruits, dishes, bottles etc. in the refrigerator and set it out. Sort them and check for spoilage and keep or throw accordingly.
- Pull out each tray and basket, wash with sponge, dish washing soap and water and wipe dry and set aside.
- For cleaning the inside of the fridge; Take a 2 tablespoon of vinegar and 1sp of baking soda and using a paper towel clean and disinfect. This helps clean any mold developed in nooks and crevices.
- Set back all trays. Wipe all bottles of ketchup, mustard, sauces, jams and jellies clean before putting them back.
- Keep a box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb any odors
- Clean the outside of the refrigerator with a cleaning spray.
After you clean out, when you are restocking your fridge check if you have all the essential elements for healthy cooking and eating at home. A well stocked refrigerator and kitchen pantry are important for home cooking, and healthy life.
- Produce: Stock you fridge with fresh fruits and vegetables from all colors of the rainbow. Preferable clean the fridge before your grocery run so that you can stock in fresh fruits and vegetables. Always have key vegetables like tomatoes, lemons, ginger, jalapenos or green chili peppers and fresh herbs for cooking. For healthy snacking also keep sweet peppers and carrots in the fridge. Other vegetables important for any home cooking are onions and garlic but these don’t need refrigeration.
- If the stem tops of the jalapenos and peppers and removed, the peppers have a longer shelf life. For longer shelf life of other produce and herbs check the tips on this links: http://hotsweetspicyrecipes.com/kitchen-tips-how-to-keep-your-produce-fresh-longer/ ; http://hotsweetspicyrecipes.com/tips-to-store-kothmircilantrocorriander-leaves-for-longer-shelf-life/ .
- Fruits: Apples and Pears are tastier and crisp when kept in the fridge. When storing Grapes, wash and refrigerate. I also noticed Strawberries last longer when their leaves are cut out and stored. If the berries are not eaten and getting limp after a few days, de-stem and put in ziplock and freeze for smoothies. Stock Oranges and fruits and make your own juice to avoid added sugar.
- Dairy: Dairy products to stock. Keep Milk, Eggs, Cheese, Butter, and Yogurt, and mayonnaise in the fridge at all times.
- Bread and Staples: Stock whole wheat bread and oats at all times. I prefer to store my stock of oats in the fridge too since I find the oats taste fresher and good when I store in fridge especially for recipes like overnight oats breakfast.
- Nuts: Store nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios etc in the fridge. The nuts stay fresh and crisp in the fridge and are a healthy snack to reach for when you open your fridge.
- Store leftovers in glass containers with tight lids, it keeps food smells from infiltrating each other and is a safer and healthier option to warm glass containers in microwave for re using.