Wednesday 1 July 2020

In My Kitchen - July 2020

Yay!  We've survived the first half of the year, and we're looking onwards and upwards.  Queensland is doing very well in the COVID-19 stakes, and we've had zero new cases for a while.  Our southern mates in Victoria on the other hand have been very naughty!  Heaps of new cases every day.  They just won't stay home!  

Well, as my birthday treat, Mr P. and I headed out of town for a (legal) weekend away.  We hit wine country about three and a half hours from Brisbane, where I bought - wine, and olive oil, and chocolate, and jams and relishes and ... well, you get the picture.  I will save those goodies for next month's IMK, but here we have:



local honey

This is a bit of a funny one:  pre-Covid, hubby and I had to pick up the car from the local Honda car dealer/repairer after a check-up.  The wee bottle says Southside Honda honey from our very own onsite beehives.  A lot of places around town actually have beehives on their rooves.  I love this idea!  So they were handing out tiny samples to their customers.  Lucky us.



chocolate cake

I've been baking madly since Covid.  Here we have a chocolate cake, with Nutella and cream cheese icing.  This was delicious (she says modestly), and rapidly disappeared to our neighbours, Mr P. and his two lady workers.  Am I allowed to say 'lady workers'?  Probably not, but anyways.  I used up lots of odd items like cream cheese in the freezer, old peanut butter chips, scrapings of Nutella and so on.  I felt so virtuous and thrifty.  And did I mention how delicious? :-)



pounding sauerkraut

(Sorry, badly lit daytime shot.)  Here I am, pounding away at the cabbage with my cocktail muddler.  So handy for making sauerkraut.  Then off went the crock into the wardrobe to sit and ferment for several weeks.  I'm going to put it into jars this week.



nachos casserole

This is one of Mr P.'s specialities - along with all the rice and pasta and so on in the kitchen.  This is nachos, but in a casserole.  He adds avocado chunks, and lots of hot salsa, and herbs, and maybe ham or chicken - this is a chicken one.  Deeelish!



gorgeous new pasta bowl

The colours are much more vibrant IRL.  Beautiful, hand-painted tomatoes on this Emma Bridgewater pasta bowl.  I adore her things!  Now I want the lemon one, and the zucchini blossom one, and the strawberry one...



limited edition Bailey's

This is delicious, my friends.  Hubby gave this to me for my birthday last week; luckily for me he doesn't drink it, so it's all for me.


almond milk heading to the freezer

Handy hint: I had a big carton of almond milk that I wasn't going to be able to use all at once, so I whacked most of it into the freezer.  I loooove my freezer!  (P.S. - the almond milk looks digusting when it thaws, but it's fine for smoothies, etc as it will be all blitzed up anyway.)



honey and marmalade

I ordered the honey and marmalade as part of the parcel I ordered online from Grecian Purveyor, a Sydney shop.  I am keen to try out that saffron honey. 



a whole heap of spices

After delving into that cookbook Zaitoun, I had to get me some spices so I ordered them online from Herbie's.  Black lime powder?  It's going into a chicken dish soon.  



definitely NOT in my kitchen

This is NOT my kitchen, but fascinating nonetheless.  The Queensland/New South Wales border is only about 35 kilometres from where we were staying for our weekend away.  We drove down to check it out, and found this on a side road.  Look at the huge fine for breaching COVID-19 restrictions - almost $67K!  The actual bit of highway into NSW had two Army fellas and two police officers stopping traffic.  We could have crossed over, but may not have been allowed back into QLD.  So we stayed on our side.  Reminds me of the Mexican border in California in our backpacking days - we could have gone in, but we wouldn't have been able to come back into the U.S. :-)

That's it for this month, my virtual friends.  Everyone is welcome to be part of In My Kitchen, so let's have a peek into yours, my fellow foodies.  Newbies very welcome! 







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In My Kitchen:




Happy Retirees Kitchen



Cooking for Kishore


Not Quite Nigella


70 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you, Sherry! That casserole looks mega delicious and comforting. I look forward to your chicken dish with black lime powder :-))

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    1. thanks angie. the casserole was very hearty for a cold winter's night. yep i'm keen to find out what black lime powder is like too!

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  2. I think it is necessary for you to tell us how delicious the cake was. Otherwise we would just think it looked wonderful without actually knowing. Please share your thoughts on the black lime powder after you use it. I have never heard of it before and I am always interested in learning about new and different flavor possibilities.

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    1. the cake was indeed very delicious anne. yep will do re the lime powder. it will be on the blog one day soon. cheers S

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  3. Nacho casserole sounds really good. I might just do it! You are lucky to live in such a disciplined place. We still can’t trust anybody. Not even shopping, much less traveling.

    be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. yes we feel quite safe here in queensland unlike that naughty victoria! they are in lockdown again cos they're not doing the right thing...

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  4. Anything with nutella sounds delicious. Belated Happy Birthday! I am sure you enjoyed strawberry flavored Bailey's.

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    1. thanks balvinder. and yes you can't go wrong with nutella anything. the bailey's is fabulous too.

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  5. I've been a big covid baker, too. Mostly cookies and quick breads and lots of cooking. It does stretch your ability to make the very most of the ingredients you have. Such fun to read this and to hear about your time at the winery!

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    1. thanks jeanie. it has been an interesting time hasn't it?

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  6. So much deliciousness, you had me at cream cheese and Nutella icing! I love Baileys too and I've heard good things about the strawberry version - it's my birthday next week so perhaps I should drop a hint to the hubster! And of course, happy birthday for last week! Wishing you a happy, healthy and delicious trip around the sun!

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    1. your birthday sammie? we must be fellow Cancerians. yep i am enjoying the bailey's. quite delish!

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  7. Love those spices Sherry - again happy birthday lovely xox

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  8. I love the sound of the Nutella cake!

    The border thing is a bit crazy isn't it. If someone had of said 6 months ago that this was how the border would look we would have all laughed out loud!

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    1. yes it is so bizarre isn't it? whoever would have thought the world would look like this?

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  9. Isn't it so odd to have to say that a trip is legal?!!! Goodness what a year so far. I've wondered about the strawberry Bailey's... is there any artificial flavor or aftertaste? and Happy Birthday!

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    1. i know what you mean mimi. so weird to have to qualify one's words like that. and one's life of course... Yep i think the Bailey's is also a bit weird and chemical-ey but i don't mind it :0) thanks re birthday wishes.

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  10. Sigh, we have been way too naughty re staying home, social distancing, etc etc etc. Things are getting worse, not better, covid-wise. Anyway, too funny that your car dealer has its own honey. Good stuff in your kitchen this month (July already? Yikes!) That black lime powder looks interesting.

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    1. hi KR. we must be good little gals and boys here in QLD. we are doing well re covid. oh such an odd world atm isn't it?

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  11. I use to make my own sauerkraut and homemade is the best! I have strawberry Baileys too and use it more in baking than drinking :) I have a few of Emma Bridgewater pieces - they are so different but lovely.

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    1. my sauerkraut is smelling wonderful.. can't wait to eat it.

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  12. DIsregard my previous comment, I just did the link thing!

    thank you, always nice to see what's going on in your kitchen and everybody else's! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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    1. thank you sally - for the birthday wishes and joining in. great to have you.

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  13. I might have to make that nachos casserole for dinner tonight - sans the avocado as Dave does not enjoy that cooked. Stay safe and enjoy that honey :)

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    1. thanks tandy. i don't usually like cooked avo either but it tastes okay in this dish.

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  14. You have lots of goodies happening this month Sherry, and it seems lots of Brisbanites have headed south for the wineries, now that you can. Love the look of that nachos, and the honey gift is very cute and entrepreneurial. Hope you had a wonderful birthday. I've added the badge to my IMK post but its late and I think I will just give you the link to add. Thanks Sherry. https://happyretireeskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/07/in-my-kitchen-july-2020.html

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    1. yes they said the hotels and cottages are booked out till september! everyone is keen to get away. yes thanks my birthday was grand. Link added! cheers S

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  15. First, "lady workers." People who work on ladies? Or ladies who work? Second, all those spices! Third, that barracade! But I'll tell you, things could be worse. You could live in America, like I do, where covid is running rampant because people just could be bothered.

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    1. yep ladies who work:-) and yep love my spices. oh that barricade - scary, like a third world country. we seem to be doing very well here in QLD. maybe we just like to follow the rules ... thanks for dropping by.

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  16. So interesting to see the border barricades! I've never seen what it looks like. You're been so busy and I bet everyone loves that! :D

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    1. it's good to get slowly back into things, but I have enjoyed the covid quiet i must say ...

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  17. Hi sherry - you seem to have regained your mojo - and are lucky to live in Qld but your comments about Vicoria make me wonder what you are hearing - it is pretty tough to have gone through a really stressful time with lockdown and have other states treating us as misbehaving rather than unlucky. A bit of support from other states would be far kinder! I am lucky not to be a lockdown suburb but really feel for those who are. I love your new pasta bowl and seeing that you are doing lots of baking - nutella cake and nachos and fancy baileys sounds like a great way to have a birthday month! Happy birthday. And hope Queensland stays low in Covid19 because now lots of of AFL footballers are headed up there to keep the season going! What a season!

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    1. hi johanna
      sorry if i've offended. it was just a silly joke in passing. the media have been quite negative about all this, and have indeed suggested that some people down there are not doing the right thing. sorry again to offend. thanks for birthday wishes. yes i'm a bit worried about those damn footballers coming here. that's all they seem to care about. i guess cos AFL is worth many millions in revenue. keep safe.

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  18. My Bob and I also both celebrated birthdays, and we took advantage of the one hotel open in Kona, and ate out, finally. We have very few cases here, but still wearing masks in the stores. It’s all hurt small businesses and the economy is tanked. Looks like you’ve picked up quite a few tasty sounding goodies!

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    1. hi claudia
      yes it's been a hard time for many businesses and people. let's hope the world comes good very soon. who knows what the future will bring? take care

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  19. Not time to be complacent yet, a second wave could be just around the corner. As Johanna mentioned, what have you been reading. The Victorian situation is far more complex than you suggest. During times like this, national unity, rather than finger pointing, is a better stance.
    Lady workers? I immediately thoughr mr p must be running a brothel.

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    1. hi Anon
      i wish i knew who you were... sorry if i've offended; i didn't mean to. it was more of a silly joke really, not meant to hurt anybody. i have to say the media do indeed make out that Victorians (only some of course) have been a bit naughty re Covid. I'm not finger pointing honestly. Nope to the brothel...

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  20. I would love everyone of these items and dishes in my kitchen right now. What a neat thing to have beehives on roofs. Great way to ensure your own pollinators for a garden. On a side note, I sure wish the US would be smart about COVID. It's a mess here and people just don't want to understand. Glad you stayed safe.

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    1. thanks MJ. yes i think it's fabulous to have roof-top hives. so sensible! keep safe.
      cheers
      sherry

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  21. Sounds good that the covid-19 situation is easing in your area. I can see that you've been up to a lot of nice stuff. I want to make a veggie version of that nacho casserole! Take care!

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    1. thanks veg hog. we had that casserole again tonight:) Mr P makes it well!

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    2. I have made my version too. It's an amazing dish, greetings to Mr! :)

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  22. You always have such fascinating stuff, Sherry. Love to see what's new. Glad things are slowing down your way. We are spiking again here. Still staying in. We have survived half of 2020. For some reason, I find that comforting. :) Happy July!

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    1. thanks so uch debra. yes we have got thru the first half; let's hope it all gets better soon. take care S

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  23. The nachos casserole look right up my street, I recognise the Herbie spices - Johanna from GGG sent me some a couple of years back. I adore your Tomato pasta bowl and now want you to get the courgette one and the lemon one, so that i can admire. Belated Birthday wishes too and must also comment on that marmalade - looks divine.

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    1. oh yes shaheen i am keen to get another of those bowls:) so pretty. thanks for birthday wishes. and yep the marmalade is a winner. take care
      cheers
      sherry

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  24. That nacho casserole sounds like just the type of comfort food we need right now. And your new bowl is stunning! I had a chill looking at the 'border', 67K WOW! But lucky you to have controlled the virus, we have not been so lucky. Not surprising looking at the leadership. Stay well and I am so jealous you got to go out. Thank you for continuing to host IMK.

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    1. hi liz
      nice to see you here. yep the nachos were so good that hubby made 'em again on the weekend. can you believe that fine? Eeek! the amusing thing is that there is a rabbit-proof fence near the border, and the fine for bringing in a rabbit is $63K. my joke is bring in a rabbit AND go over the border illegally and you are up for $130K! yes we loved getting away; so much fun, and such a relief. cheers and thanks
      sherry

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  25. My word, that cake with the Nutella icing looks amazing! And I love the new pasta bowl. Glad you are all being safe in your area - we are in a "bad" state where the numbers are rising exponentially. Ugh. We are staying in and safe!

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    1. thanks david. it was pretty delish. i know! me too! - re the pasta bowl. i want more!:) take good care.

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  26. Wow, that border blockade is pretty imposing! COVID-19 was really bad here in New York state back in March and April, but then it started to get better. Now the southern states here are getting hit pretty hard, and I'm afraid it will make it's way back up to us. We need border control crossings like that! Anyways, I'm glad you guys were able to get a legal vacation in there. We haven't been able to travel, and we're getting pretty stir crazy. Also, I love that pasta bowl!

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    1. hi david
      yes it's all a bit up in the air isn't it? who knows what will happen? best wishes and keep safe.

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  27. Hi Sherry, Pleased to hear Queensland is doing well with Covid numbers but very disappointing to read your comments about Victorians. As a Melbourne resident currently in lockdown for another month I dont appreciate being told its all because I cant stay home! I am the main carer for my immune compromised mother who has not left her apartment since March 15th! I have been very careful and have not been out and about except to buy food as my doctor told me she will die if she gets the virus. Most Victorians take this illness very seriously and Im sure we would all appreciate some empathy rather than finger pointing or jokes about the life threatening situation we are in.

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    1. hi Liz
      once again, I can only apologise if you have been hurt by my facetious comment. In my defence, the media definitely make out that it is because some - i emphasise some -people are not doing the right thing. I had no idea my wee joke in passing would affect people like this. Sorry!

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  28. I love the story abut getting honey when you got your car serviced. Yes, I too am baking more and that's good, if I can have some self control. Unlikely. Nutella is a wonderful invention.

    What?! Bailey's makes a strawberry version. (shoving people out of the way in the liquor store) I need that in my life!

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    1. hi tina
      yep nutella is the best! what a fab invention. you do indeed need that strawberry bailey's!

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  29. Oh, I didn't finish my comment and hit the wrong button. That nacho casserole looks great and we just had nachos, not in a casserole though. I'd like that.
    Hope your birthday was fabulous.

    Also, as a final note, being in Florida (although not a native Floridian) our state takes a lot flack about the Covid numbers and how stupid we all are here because things open too soon. Doug and I know it's not us, yet we are lumped in with the dopes who go out and party/visit/socialize etc. People shouldn't take things so seriously. :-)

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    1. thanks re birthday wishes. i've had a lovely long one that has lasted for 2 weeks. yes i was sad to see that people took my little joke so seriously. i certainly didn't want to hurt anybody. cheers S

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  30. Whos not baking like crazy during COVID times :)
    I made more bread in my life during those days.
    And are those gold sprinkles on you cake?

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    1. yep gold dust all over the cake. i love how it shimmers.

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  31. Happy Birthday Sherry and many happy returns. Great that your country is Covid free...can't say the same about ours. Love the colourful pasta dish and the strawberry Bailey's... not had that flavor before. Enjoy the honey and the nacho casserole looks tasty :)
    I posted this some days ago but I can't find the reason way I have trouble posting to your comments. Hopefully you will get this one :)

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    1. hi moya
      thanks for persevering! and thanks for the birthday wishes. well, some of the states are covid-free or only lightly sprinkled with it, except for - dare i say it? - victoria. poor sods. sorry about the commenting thing; blogger is just so useless!

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  32. Happy Birthday Sherry and many happy returns. Great that your country is Covid free...can't say the same about ours. Love the colourful pasta dish and the strawberry Bailey's... not had that flavor before. Enjoy the honey and the nacho casserole looks tasty :)
    I posted this some days ago but I can't find the reason way I have trouble posting to your comments. Hopefully you will get this one :)

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  33. Happy Birthday Sherry! So glad you were able to have a birthday getaway.
    Had a good laugh at the Honda honey, that's so cool! Here you have to have so many licenses and permits to get beehives, I think it dissuades a lot of people . I've been using Limoo Omani - Black Limes since my trip to the Spice Souk in Dubai. It adds a great sour lime flavor to dishes. Sorry I missed out on the linky party, my post is up on my blog though!

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    1. thanks emily. i had a fun birthday. I will see if i can add your link manually! cheers S

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  34. Ooh I've just discovered you've taken up the reigns of In My Kitchen. I used to love that back in Celia's day. Not that I managed to take part very often, even then. Anyway, very glad to have discovered it again. That border crossing looks quite terrifying.

    Choclette x

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    1. hi choclette
      yes it has been several years since celia was the IMK boss:-) would love to see you here one day soon for IMK! and yep the border crossing was pretty scary. x

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