Real Life of an MSW

Replace old spices

If you do nothing else on this list, please listen to me on this one: It’s probably time to replace your spices. Whole spices can last for years and pack the most potent punch, but dried herbs and ground spices aren’t very flavorful for long, which is why it’s generally recommended to replace them every six months or so. The issue isn’t that they’ve expired or gone bad but that they lose flavor over time and slowly devolve into tasteless powder. Do yourself and your recipes a favor by buying new spices.

 Empty the ice bin

I don’t really think too much about ice — and maybe you don’t either — but perhaps we should show it some love this time of year. How? By tossing it out and starting anew. Like other items in your fridge and freezer, ice can absorb odors and develop an off flavor over time (especially because it’s typically not stored in an airtight container). Cubes can also get stuck together, making it difficult to grab a few to cool off your drink of choice. So go ahead and dump out the bin and freeze some fresh cubes.

 Take stock of your cookware

Nonstick cookware does not last forever. Exactly how long it lasts varies with your level of care and usage. Over time, the surface of these pots and pans can lose its nonstick quality and/or flake off into your food. If you notice any chips or scratches, or simply that food is sticking more than it used to, it’s time to get rid of your nonstick cookware. You can replace it with your favorite brand or consider an alternative material such as carbon steel. And if you already have carbon steel cookware, or more traditional cast iron, now is also a good time to reseason it if you haven’t cooked with it in a while.

Care for your cutting boards

Wood is alive, and like any other living thing, that means your wooden cutting boards need to be taken care of lest they become a shadow of their former selves. “They can warp, crack and lose their smooth surface if not properly maintained,”Beyond proper washing and drying, wooden cutting boards should be regularly treated with food-grade mineral oil or wood conditioners to keep them in top shape. Should you notice a smell, a good scrub with salt and lemon can help treat odors. And if your boards start to get fuzzy, give them a light sanding to smooth them out.

Clean under the sink

If that part of your kitchen is like mine, it’s a wasteland under there. I go in for only seconds at a time to grab what I need or stow something away and potentially never see it again. Let’s change that: Take everything out, wipe it down and then put everything back in a neat, orderly way. Now you can actually see how many bottles of dish soap you have instead of just periodically buying another because you think you might be running low, when in reality you’re stocked up for months (he writes, speaking from experience).