Quick Refrigerator Cleaning Tips

You’ve decided to clean the refrigerator; you’ve put it off long enough!  Since you have the time and the patience; let’s give you some quick refrigerator cleaning tips to hurry along the process.

* Take everything out of the refrigerator.
* Throw away outdated cans, jars and plastic bottles.
* Take out the vegetable bins; wash and dry.
* Use a sponge or wet cloth to clean the shelving and the inside of the door. You may want to use baking soda as the cleaning agent.
* Put back whatever items you have left.
* Put the bins back, and sprinkle a bit of baking soda in each.
* Place an opened box of baking soda towards the back top shelf.
* Clean the entire refrigerator; top sides and doors and Voila!

You’re done!  That was easy enough, right?  Well that’s because you have been cleaning it religiously every month.  Alas, there are some refrigerators which have not been so lucky, and cleaning will require more time.

To keep your refrigerator clean so that a simple once-over is required, here are some additional tips to follow.

* Use tin foil under your milk cartons to prevent leaking.
* Use food containers to store your leftovers.
* Change the box of baking soda every three months.
* Keep the temperature at the manufacturer’s recommendation.
* Try not to accumulate more than two items. Check certain items before buying them.  Oftentimes, we buy too much of one item, and it just stays in the refrigerator for months on end.
* Keep your vegetables in zip lock bags to maintain their freshness.
* Defrost your freezer at least once a month. Don’t forget to place a box of baking soda in there as well.

By following these simple tips, your next cleaning will be easier and faster.

Cookie Cutter Veggie Bites

What You Need:

 

2 prepared pie crusts

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 TBSP milk

½ tsp. onion salt

½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Cucumber slices

Tomato, sliced or diced

Radish slices

Carrot curls or shredded

Pimiento slices

Green onion slices or diced

Cookie cutters

 

How to Make It:

 

Lightly flour a flat surface.

Lay the pie crust on the floured surface.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes in the dough.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place the cutouts on an ungreased cookie sheet and prick slightly with a fork.

Bake 7 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove and allow cooling.

In a mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, milk, onion salt and Worcestershire sauce mixing until smooth.

Spread each cut out with the cream cheese mixture.

Decorate with the vegetables.

 

Let the kids have some fun helping with these.  Use whatever veggies you like and their imagination. 

Swiss Spinach Samplers

What You Need:

 

1 ½ Swiss cheese, shredded at room temperature

½ cup red bell pepper, chopped fine

1 C spinach, chopped

¼ C mayonnaise

8 English muffin halves

 

How to Make It:

 

Stir the cheese, peppers, spinach and mayonnaise together in a large mixing bowl.

Spread each English muffin half with the mixture.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until heated through.

 

Use mushrooms instead of the spinach and some mozzarella cheese instead and you have pizza samplers that are also sure to please. 

Pumpkin Bites

What You Need:

 

1 lb. pumpkin

¼ C canola oil

¼ tsp. sugar

½ C water

 

How to Make It:

 

Peel the pumpkin with a very sharp knife.

Remove the seeds.

Cut the pumpkin pulp into 2 inch squares.

Place the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

Add the pumpkin and cook for 10 minutes or until just starting to soften.

Add the water and sugar.

Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

 

These make a great Sunday afternoon snack.  Instead of the sugar try cinnamon or even pumpkin pie spice.  It won’t be as sweet but they will like them just as much. 

Cheesy Corn Triangles

What You Need:

 

1 unbaked pie shell

4 large eggs

½ C heavy cream

1 C Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 (8 oz) can cream style corn

1 large tomato, chopped

 

How to Make It:

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place the pie shell in a pie plate.

Prick the bottom of the shell with a fork.

Bake 8 minutes or just until the shell begins to harden.

Remove the shell from the oven.

Place the eggs in a large mixing bowl.

Beat with an electric mixer just until eggs turn a light color.

Add the cream and continue to beat until completely mixed.

Add the cheese, corn and tomatoes and stir to mix well.

Pour into the prepared pie shell.

Reduce oven heat to 425.

Return the pie to the oven and bake 8 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Continue to bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove and allow cooling.

Cut into triangles and serve.

 

Experiment with different types of cheese to find just the flavor you kids will like.  Try adding chopped onions for an added taste.  

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