Planning for the holidays is both exciting and stressful, especially when you are hosting friends and family at your home. Whenever you host a holiday gathering, preparation is key to ensuring a smooth event. Organizing your fridge may seem inconsequential but can be a big help when it comes to preparing, serving and storing food. With a few simple tips, you can get your fridge in order without much fuss.
Clean First
Before you begin organizing, clean the entire fridge, emptying it completely and throwing away leftovers and spoiled foods. Check expiration dates on all items to keep guests from eating anything that is no longer good. Use anti-bacterial spray and wipes to thoroughly clean the shelves and drawers before restocking.
Create “Food Zones”
Create “food zones” within your refrigerator based on the space you have available. Yogurt, sour cream, milk and cottage cheese should all be placed on the bottom shelf toward the back, where the fridge is coldest. Eggs do best on the middle shelf, which maintains a median temperature. Be sure to place all raw and packaged meat within a bottom drawer, where it’s cold and will prevent any juices from leaking and spreading onto other foods.
Consider Guest Dishes and Drinks
Count the number of guests attending your party before organizing your fridge. If you have asked guests to bring dishes or beverages of their own, be sure to leave additional space inside your refrigerator for these items. Create a checklist of the dishes and drinks you are expecting to ensure you have enough room for all.
Freeze What You Can
Freeze any foods you do not plan to eat until after the holidays. Use freezer bags to keep leftovers fresher longer, and stack boxes according to how long you think they will be stored. Be sure to seal the bags securely when placing them in the freezer for extensive amounts of time.
The more time you take to prepare your fridge, the easier the execution of tasks will be once company arrives. Knowing how to properly organize your refrigerator for the holidays can help keep you and your guests well-fed and stress-free.
Post Author: andyc.
