All Clean!

Well...I really took on a challenge today. As I mentioned the other day, my plan was to organize and clean my pantry and refrigerator this weekend...a sort of mid-summer cleanse before the next grocery shopping. I did it! It took 3 hours, but I did it! Thank goodness for central air, because I was sweatin' and it's hot outside!

I started with the fridge, cleaning out old leftovers, and veggies I never got around to using. There were some old condiments that I got rid of and the things I decided to keep got organized. I also wiped down each shelf and tried to freshen the walls as well. It's good to do this every few months because you would be SHOCKED at the amount of dirt that accumulates in the refrigerator. I use a counter spray cleaner to wash everything down, since it's meant to be used on surfaces that will be touching food. Mine even smells like fig so my fridge smells yummy, even though there isn't much food in there right now! My husband and I have made a pact to try a little harder to use up leftovers before we have to throw them out, or they pile up the way they did over the past few weeks.

Look at all that space I get to fill with goodies, now! Woooo! I rearranged the freezer a little bit too, but there's not much space to work with in there. I did find some frozen ground beef and some frozen shrimp though...hmmm....shrimp cocktail anyone? I moved on to the pantry and whoa, it looks like a tornado went through there. I have so many spices, vinegars, flours and other cooking necessities. The problem with trying new recipes every night is buying an ingredient, and then not needing it again...like, ever. Tarragon vinegar? Walnut Oil? Sea salt with saffron? I need to find a way to use these delicacies! I see some experimentation in the very near future!

That basket you see on the shelf? That's for my onions, shallots, and potatoes!

Ah, my storage areas are now ready for what I'll be bringing in tomorrow. I was even able to check a few things off my list that I didn't actually know I had, so that shortens the list, and the bill for my shopping trip. I decided the kitchen needed to be wiped down too so I did all the dishes, scrubbed the counters, and cleaned everything from top to bottom. My kitchen is definitely ready for me now!

It's time for a little R&R with Oia before I head out to dinner with the girls. We're going to try a restaurant in Cambridge called Dante. I'm looking forward to a few cocktails, some good food, and most importantly, good ol' fashioned girl talk! I'll let you know how it is, and if I remember, take some pictures too! :)

The Great Purge of 2011

Today, we begin the Great Refrigerator Clean-Out of 2011. On Saturday, I am throwing a bridal shower for my good friend Rachel, and I am going to need every inch of space in my fridge for all the goodies I'm going to make for the big event. Once it's happened, I'll reveal my menu and some pictures, but right now, it's a secret, and Rachel reads this every day!

from Flickr - by plushoff

Everyone needs a good refrigerator clean-out once in awhile. Inevitably, you'll find a 2-year old bottle of pickles, a jar of green olives with no liquid (because it was all used up in dirty martinis), you get the idea. In my case, I've got half-empty jars of mustards, and jams, and olive tapenades...most of which are probably not as appetizing as they might have once been. So, throughout the week, we'll be eating our way through leftovers, extras and piecemeal dinners in order to make way for trays of hors d'oeuvres, marinated meats, fresh salads and signature cocktails.

from Flickr - by ♥kels

I'll promise you now that there will be an extra long post on Sunday, recounting the festivities, referencing recipes, and showcasing photographs of the goodies. Until then, I'll try and write a few posts on entertaining, planning menus, and cooking for a crowd! Until next time... :)