Housekeeping Food Storage

With their delectably sweet interior, papayas are great in an assortment of recipes including salads, smoothies, jams, and even milkshakes. This delicious fruit offers a number of health benefits when incorporated into your daily diet. Although papayas taste best when they are fresh, you can also store and savor them at a later time. Since they tend to be less common than other tropical fruits, you may be wondering how to store papaya. Well, we’re here to help!

One of the most common reasons why berries get moldy so quickly is because you are buying them late in their maturation process. If berries are already very ripe and juicy, they only have a few days before they start to break down.

Natural light might be a desired quality inside your home, but it’s the last thing you want to expose your unopened wine to. UV light can break down wine quickly, diminishing the flavors even spoil the wine prematurely when it’s stored anywhere bright. Wine kept in the dark retains the most flavors and lasts the longest.

Your home’s spice rack is an always-growing collection of flavors that come from all over the world and eventually make their way into your kitchen. There are spices you reach for almost every day, and those you use only on the rare occasions. You might find yourself reaching for one of these rarely used spices and wonder exactly when you bought it. Moreover, you might wonder how long the spices in your home last until they go bad.

For anyone working an in-0ffice job, lunch is always a looming consideration. Some prefer to eat in an employee cafeteria, while others order out. But these habits can become expensive and even unhealthy. These are a couple of reasons why the concept of meal-prepping has grown more popular.

Generally speaking, you should perform a complete defrost of your freezer at least once per year. This will ensure that any ice buildup along the walls and near important hardware melts away. It ensures your freezer isn’t filled with ice, and it will help ensure it isn’t working harder (or using more electricity) than necessary.

There is no question that bread stays fresh in the freezer longer than in a bread box or the fridge. But the real question is how long does it stay fresh, exactly? Generally, bread should last an average of three months in the freezer and still be fresh to eat. 

Guacamole is a party favorite that has become a staple in some diets. It makes use of fresh vegetables to create the perfect snacking dip. You can break it out for a quick snack or make it the centerpiece of any get-together. But how long does guacamole last?

In general, you should always finish a bottle of wine within one week of drinking it, as wine rarely stays fresh for more than six days after it’s been opened. Red wine lasts an average of three to six days from the moment it’s opened until it starts to break down and lose its essential flavors. 

A kitchen does not have to have a pantry. Although it’s standard in most homes to find at least a small pantry in the kitchen, it is not a requirement. However, it would be remiss not to point out that the absence of a pantry would likely be a disadvantage when you want to sell your home.

Ah, the epitome of the American family meal, meatloaf, has been a dinner staple for decades. You probably grew up eating leftovers of this iconic dish. But before you dig in, ensure you know how long meatloaf lasts in the fridge so you don’t get sick.

No home is complete without a refrigerator. While modern refrigerators are impressive, they are not infallible and are prone to many problems. We all want our refrigerators to be cold, but not cold enough to freeze the food. Many homeowners have asked themselves the question: why is my refrigerator freezing my food?

Did you know that the biggest importer of kale was, at one point, Ruby Tuesday’s? It’s true. Kale was once just a garnish for the Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar. Oh, how times have changed. Kale is now a major superfood and people are adding this bitter leaf to just about every dish from soups to wraps. Now that the heat is turned on for kale’s demand, it’s a good time to learn how to make this green last.

Several variables influence how long tortillas stay fresh, including the type of tortilla, and how they are stored. Generally speaking, tortillas stay fresh for about one week when stored in the pantry, one month when stored in the fridge, and three months when stored in the freezer. To help your tortillas taste fresh and delicious for longer, you’ll want to follow the tips listed below.

Is there anything better than getting a stack of pancakes for breakfast? Those sweet and fluffy treats often covered in butter and syrup are regarded as breakfast favorites all over the world.

Pecan pie is a beautiful fall treat that many people enjoy eating following a hearty meal. This nut and egg-based pie is quite famous and can be in high demand. But, many people struggle with how to store the pie after it has been made.

Decorative fruit displays have been a popular staple in kitchens around the world for centuries. Visit any museum and you’ll see paintings from around the world featuring various ripe fruit staged on a table. Having a bowl of fruit on a counter or table reminds you to consume these nutrient-rich foods, and these displays are always nice to look at. When you store fruit in a bowl outside the fridge, however, it’s important to remember that some fruit last longer unrefrigerated than others.

There are few meals more impressive than the vast and varied spread of a well-prepared Thanksgiving dinner. The menu almost always includes a delicious and juicy turkey that takes center stage, but the poultry is just a small fraction of the meal.

You know the holidays are fast approaching when you start seeing ham displayed in more stores. If you have the time, preparing homemade ham is well worth the effort. Ham is a terrific holiday treat, especially since any leftovers still remain tasty days later.

Protein Per Serving: 8 grams (⅔ cup cooked)

Pumpkin is usually associated with the fall season, but it remains a delicious treat all throughout the year. Even if fresh pumpkins aren’t available in your area currently, you can still get your fix by purchasing some canned puree. But what should you do if you have leftovers; how long does canned pumpkin last in the fridge?

Tea is a beverage that has shaped societies, sparked revolutions, and is a drink that millions of people enjoy every day. Even with its widespread consumption and popularity, a significant amount of tea goes stale in the pantry in many households. To prevent good tea from spoiling in your home, you’ll need to find ways to keep it from going bad.

Oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfast food in the world. It is also a common physician recommendation for those looking to lower cholesterol. Oats contain soluble fiber, which helps reduce your LDL cholesterol.

One fruit that most people know not to put directly in the refrigerator is a banana, and its relative, the plantain. Bananas are usually picked from banana trees weeks before they are ripe. They often feature a bit of green, which is a telltale sign they need time outside the fridge to ripen.

Apart from the food, a good blanket is the most important item to bring to a summer picnic. You can use all sorts of blankets on a picnic, but some are better than others. The first consideration you need to make is the blanket size. In most circumstances, bigger is better. Remember, you need room not only for you and your guests, but also for your spread of food, and maybe other belongings. You should also choose a blanket that is durable and thick. Thin blankets can allow grass to sneak through and tend to be less comfortable.

If you are itching to carve a pumpkin, you must remember that pumpkins shrivel up and rot fairly quickly. As soon as you slice into a pumpkin, you also cut into its lifespan. In general, a carved pumpkin lasts between five days and two weeks, with 10 days being the standard “average.”

One way to help give your raw potatoes a longer shelf life is to keep them away from direct sunlight. There are a few reasons sunlight is bad for your potatoes. First, sunlight can cause your potatoes to turn that unappealing green color. Not only does this make your potatoes look gross, but it also makes them bitter and unpleasant to eat, and even dangerous.

Cheesecake is a near-universally loved desert. It can be sweet and unctuous and surprisingly filling as well. Breaking out some cheesecake makes for a great after-dinner treat whether you are hosting or enjoying a quiet night in.

If you have a recipe that calls for potatoes, and the only potatoes you have are growing buds, these will probably be safe to use. In most cases, it is safe to eat potatoes that are growing new roots on their exterior, but there are steps you need to take to ensure eating them is safe and delicious.

A freezer is one of the best assets in any kitchen. A reliable freezer can keep food fresh for many months, allowing you to purchase expensive meats when they are on sale and save leftovers for later. This appliance can also make dinner preparations fast and simple, but only if you keep itorganized and clutter-free.

Your garage fridge is likely to freeze if it is overcrowded and stuffed with food. Overstuffing your fridge typically means that many items get crowded in the back. This can easily block the vents in the back of your garage fridge and make the contents freeze.

The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in a home. With this appliance, a homeowner is able to preserve a lot of food, and they can also take advantage of a lot of other features that modern refrigerators boast.

One of the easiest ways to preserve garlic for later use is to freeze the entire bulb, raw. To make this method most effective, use a vacuum-sealed bag or an airtight container. Add your cleaned whole garlic bulbs, seal them, and simply store them in your deep freezer.

Whether you’re an avid home cook, a busy parent, or just love to snack, a disorganized fridge can put a damper on your kitchen habits. French door refrigerators are one of the most popular styles of this appliance. Knowing how to organize a French door refrigerator will go a long way to keeping your life calmer and more productive (and you won’t waste food).

While in the middle of preparing dinner, you suddenly had to step out to handle an emergency at work. Because of that, you had to leave some raw chicken inside the refrigerator. After getting home, you’re left wondering if you can still cook the thawed chicken.

The easiest way to tell if tea is expired is to check its sell-by or expiration date. Most boxed tea and store-bought loose-leaf tea should have an expiration date. If your tea is months (or years) beyond this expiration date, it shouldn’t be consumed. Instead, opt to use it in some other way.

If you are looking for the cheese that will last the longest in the refrigerator, look no further than the firm and delicious parmesan. Parmesan can last months or even a year in your refrigerator. This cheese lasts so long because it is dry, aged, and salty. Typically the driest parmesan and aged varieties of this cheese last the longest.

As one of the best fall treats around, pumpkin pie is a delicious and delightful treat. Saving pumpkin pie after it is made doesn’t have to be difficult, and many people can preserve their pie for weeks on end.

Baking soda is an ingredient that can last for several years or just a few weeks. Its lifespan depends on its external environment, and how well it is stored. Its storage is a particularly major factor when it comes to its longevity, since it is usually packaged in a fairly flimsy cardboard container.

If you have some old rice in your home, you may wonder if it has gone bad. There is no simple yes or no answer to this broad question, as different types of rice have different expiration dates. White rice is the most popular type of rice and can last many years if properly stored.

Basil is a popular herb used in kitchens around the world, known for its intense flavor and sweet smell. Although originally found in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, this member of the mint family has given birth to several varieties that we use worldwide. Sweet basil, or Genovese basil, is more commonly used in our kitchens today. Basil is easy to grow in your home or garden, but beware of any basil leaves turning black.

This pointer might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but when it comes to small spaces, it’s a game-changer. Remove closet doors and replace them with curtains. Here’s why.

Leeks are a vegetable closely related to the onion and often have a very similar flavor profile. This vegetable is commonly used in salads, sauces, stews, and soups. With a softer flavor than an  onion, the leek is a perfect vegetable substitute in many familiar recipes.

Cream cheese is a versatile topping or ingredient. Whether you want to spread it on a bagel or implement it into your latest dish, there are tons of uses for cream cheese. It may become a staple in your refrigerator.

Soy sauce doesn’t last forever, and like most condiments, it eventually goes bad. Unopened soy sauce can potentially last years, depending on when it was bottled. Once you open soy sauce, it is best to use it within three to six months if it's been stored in a cool and dark place. If you put your soy sauce in the fridge once it’s opened, it will last several months longer.

After celebrating the winter holidays, there is a lot of cleaning up to do. There are ornaments and string lights to carefully put away. Decorations must be stored, and the once-pristine garland and Christmas tree need to be brought out to the curb before the pine sheds all its dead needles on your floors. But before you pack away your holiday decor, you first need to find a way to pack and store your holiday leftovers.

Several scenarios can occur when you pour boiling liquid into a plastic container. If the plastic is thin, cheap, or not meant to contain hot liquids, then there is a good chance it will melt. Water might not spill out, but the container will likely warp, and render itself useless.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a sauce more versatile than tomato sauce. It can be used in all kinds of savory applications. Use it to stew meat, simmer beans, and of course, tomato sauce also pairs splendidly with pasta.

There simply is no substitute for 100% pure maple syrup. Many companies and brilliant minds have tried to replicate the nuanced sweetness that originates from maple tree sap, but you just can’t recreate nature. This is why pure maple syrup is commonly found in so many refrigerators. But if you only eat pancakes once in a great while, like around the holidays, you might wonder if your old opened bottle of sweet sappy syrup is still edible. After all, how long can maple syrup last in a fridge before it spoils?

Dill is a flavor that is best enjoyed fresh. Dried dill often loses a lot of its signature and distinct flavor. It isn’t always possible to get fresh dill, but you can always freeze it to ensure you have fresh-tasting dill flavor in your favorite recipes. Frozen dill will keep its flavor for several months when properly frozen.

One great way to make space and consolidate your Tupperware drawer is to get rid of useless pieces. If you have a container but are missing its lid, then get rid of it. Take all your containers out and pair them up with their corresponding lids.

You might be the breadwinner and adult, but you should always get your child’s input before preparing a school lunch. If they don't like what you make, then there’s a good chance it will go uneaten.

Mushrooms are underappreciated ingredients that deserve to be included in more dishes. The earthy flavor they feature pairs well with so many other ingredients. Mushrooms work great in sauces, soups, and you can sauté them with garlic and butter to create a delicious appetizer.

If there is one vegetable that’s a classic, all-American dinner table favorite, it’s broccoli. The cruciferous vegetables are some of the most widely eaten, not to mention the most detested by children. If you’re like many frugal home chefs, you will want to store broccoli for as long as possible. The question, of course, is how you can do that without making your broccoli soggy or brown.

Brownies are a delicious treat that is easy to make and loved by everyone. Brownies are the perfect snack to have around the house when you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. But, keeping brownies fresh can be a challenge, especially if you are trying to keep the soft, moistness intact, so what’s the best way to store brownies?

Asparagus is a versatile and delicious vegetable. Even better, it comes chock full of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that we all need in our lives. Despite being a spring vegetable, it is used throughout the year in a variety of dishes.

This article isn’t to stop you from your dreams of creating an organized refrigerator. By all means, sort and categorize your food to your heart’s content, so meal prep or grabbing a snack isn’t a hassle. But know that fridgescaping goes beyond simple organizing and could actually be counterproductive.

Who doesn’t like a good plate of pasta or spaghetti? This culinary classic is not only delicious but super easy to prepare. On top of that, it is an inexpensive meal to boot. For those reasons and more, you would be hard-pressed to find a home that hasn’t enjoyed this Italian delight at some point.

One thing to consider when you make a large batch of soup is whether or not the ingredients will freeze well. The main types of soups that don’t freeze well are creamy soups and those with delicate ingredients.

Bread pudding is a rich, sweet dessert that warms you up and has a comforting vibe. It comes in different flavors; you can jazz it up with a whiskey sauce or mix in various additions like raisins and chocolate chips.