At this time of year, I like to clean out my pantry, fridge, and freezer. I know that I will need the space for the products of my canning ventures and my fall soup-making Sundays. Plus, I'll want to have plenty of room for holiday foods and for the baking supplies and staples that always go on sale around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This cleaning has several stages. First, I have to toss out things that have spoiled in any way. (I hate to waste, so this kills me.) Then, I donate non-perishables I just have too much of. (Why does any single person need 8 cans of beans?)

Unfortunately, steps 1 and 2 don't solve my problem. That's where Chopped: Elf Edition comes into play. If you've ever seen the show Chopped on the Food Network, you know that the competing chefs are given a basket of quirky ingredients that they must combine with pantry staples to create an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert — one basket for each course.

Now, they often have crazy ingredients in a basket — like strawberry soda in the main course basket. My version is a bit more tame. At the beginning of the week, I take out some ingredients that I must use within the week. (For refrigerated things, that means I put a note on the fridge – I don't actually leave them out. For frozen things, I defrost.) My task is to come up with lunches and dinners that use everything I have designated for a given week. Sometimes, it's easy — pasta and sauce. Other times, it can be a challenge. How many ways are there to use crushed tomatoes and creamed corn?

How do you handle cleaning your pantry and freezer?