The Foodie File: What’s in your fridge?

One time, I dated this guy who raided the fridge every time he came to my place. Then he regaled me with the same Persian proverb every time: The potter always drinks from the cracked cup. I know what you’re thinking – whaaaat? Translation: how can you be a chef and not have any food in your fridge? (He would also say this about my handle-less BBQ that I refuse to replace).

When I open my fridge, here is what I see:

• two bottles of Fat Bastard Sauvignon Blanc (one half empty)
• 4 Stella Artois
• two kinds of mustard – Dijon and spicy
• an expired litre of milk
• a sadly shrivelled onion
• a pitcher of cold water
• a jar of tahini
• a bottle of ketchup
• one apple
• one jar of good-quality anchovies (yummy on toast when there is nothing else to eat)
• a head of garlic (actually, half a head)
• two eggs

That’s about it. Granted, I live alone and do not spend that much time at home. When I do cook, I buy what I need fresh and cook it all at once. My freezer fares a little better, I have some nice cuts of meat in there, frozen peas (a staple for me) and a bottle of vodka (also a staple for me!). I am reminded of an interview that Julie Child once gave: when she was asked to share what the contents of her fridge with the viewers, all she had was beer and mustard.

I know a couple who have so many condiments loading their fridge that you would never know what is in there. In fact, they buy the same ones over and over again because they never know what they have. I mean really, who needs three jars of horseradish?

Care to share the dirty little secrets of your fridge? What’s the strangest ingredient in your fridge, what’s a staple that’s always there? Is your condiment door hanging off the hinges from the burden? How long has that shrivelled little piece of ginger been there? Are you brave enough to share?

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