Then there's your store cupboard

Okey dokey, that's the freezer done and dusted now for your other store cupboard - or pantry if you prefer.

Time to be as ruthless with your store cupboard or pantry as you were with your freezer.

It's no use relying on a store cupboard if you don't know what's in it or more particularly that your ingredients are well within “best before date(s)”.

If you have a reasonably well stocked store cupboard then you'll be able to plan your meals more easily, it will save you time and money. My pantry is one extreme to another, from the usual staples - tuna, small chunk Branston, tomato paste, stock pots, cornflour, passata, suet, Worcestershire Sauce, noodles and orzo – to name but a few - to what some may call the more “out of the ordinary” ingredients, a small tin or jar of black olives, a small jar of capers, Grapeseed oil for stick blender mayo and lets not forget the preserved lemons!

Once again you may not relish the idea but I promise you'll find it cathartic!

If you are easily bored sort and check a shelf at a time – if you want to be really organised you can re-organise as you go – baking and all things relating, sweet and savoury ingredients, tinned goods – again sweet and savoury – everyday stuff – teas, coffee, I could go on!

If you have a separate space for your herbs and spices check these out too – they lose their potency over time, so any that are out of date should be replaced. I should add that unless you use large quantities of particular herbs and spices it's a false economy to buy in large amounts – they'll finish up out of date and will be thrown away.

If you want to be really organised you could make a shopping list as you re-organise of any ingredients that are out of date and need replacing.

Kitchen kit is up next ...