In My Kitchen - December 2020

Hey, we've almost made it through to the end of the toughest year for so many people.  Good on you, my friends.  I was saying to Mr P. the other day that there have been some really good things about this year too.  The sense of community and sharing, the lack of FOMO syndrome pushing us to do things we don't really want to, the time to sit and enjoy each other's company.  And the wonderfully quiet streets and shops.  I'm going to miss a lot of those things.

Here we go with the last IMK for 2020.  What a year!  What do you think about a January IMK post?  I am hovering on the edge of saying let's leave it till February.  Let me know what you think; we can always do an IMK lite.  All the best, and have a marvellous, happy, satisfying, love and food-filled festive season, my dear virtual friends.  Cheers!!

In my Kitchen:

Christmas gin and gin pudding

Every Christmas, I buy this Four Pillars gin and their pudding (which they make by soaking puddings in alcohol!).  We take them along to our mates' place down the road for Christmas lunch.  This year, they made gin relish too, but I'm keeping that for our Christmas turkey at home.

I made chicken and veg. pie

I made a large chicken and veg. pie, which we shared with our 88 year-old neighbour.  I have been taking meals over to her during Covid.  She is very adventurous in her tastes!  As long as I'm not too heavy-handed with the chillies...  

I found a whisk!

Do you know how long and hard I have been searching for a new hand whisk?  My (very) old one with a wooden handle broke recently.  I was devastated:(  And because they're all made in China, it has been impossible to find one.  Mysteriously, we were at a kitchenware cum organics shop the other day, et voilà, Mr P. spotted one in a dark and lonely corner.  And it was such a good price, too.  I went home, squealing with happiness.

I bought scrumptious vinegar

I love Lirah's vinegars.  They are fairly local (well, only a three hour drive west), and this one is so scrumptious.  We tasted it on bread, and it was wonderfully sweet and tangy.  My salad dressings will be sublime from now on:-) 

and I found maple syrup

I went to our local health food/bulk store last week in search of maple syrup.  I bought this lovely Canadian stuff.  And next time, I can take this bottle back in and get it filled up again.  Even better!  They have bulk olive oil too, and you can bring a bottle in for refilling.  Love that!

I made Ruth Reichl's ginger cake

I made this cake a while ago when I first bought Ruth's book My Kitchen Year, and I was in love with it.  And the icing - oh my!  I could eat it with a spoon.  I made it again, and yes, it was just as sublime.  Didn't last long!  You can just see my shadow in the icing, right down the bottom middle.

and I bought Annabel's new book

Annabel is a wonderful New Zealand cook, and cooking show presenter.  This is her memoir/autobiography.  I'm looking forward to reading it, as cooks who seem harmless and matronly often end up being naughty little rascals.  Not that Annabel looks matronly:-)  

I supported a breast cancer charity by buying this oil

This oil is grown and pressed in Greece, and the bottle is handmade by a Greek potter.  A percentage of the cost goes towards an Australian breast cancer charity (it's sold by an Aussie providore).  As both my mum and my sis-in-law died of breast cancer, this is a charity close to my heart.

and here's my curveball!

This is Dilbert Dumbkin Pumpkin, by Matthew Roby from Pickled Circus.  I think he is the cutest!  Who could resist that sweet, mousy little face?  And of course the pumpkin ghoul head!

Well, that's it for IMK 2020!  Please join in everyone.  Can't wait to see your posts (by the 13th December, please).  And you know the drill:  we want to see posts about your kitchen and garden stuff over the past month!  Produce, gadgets, recipes, cookbooks, dishes, meals - you get the picture!

The link is open from the first to the thirteenth of the month.  Let me know if you need help with adding your post, or if you would like it added manually by me after the 13th. Here's how to join in:

1. Add via the Add Link button at the bottom of this post.  Instructions can be found on the sidebar of this page, under   the  Add your IMK link  OR:

2. Comment on this post, providing a link to your post so I can   add it manually to the list below OR:

3. Email me: sherrym1au@gmail.com, with your link or   any queries about the link process 

In My Kitchen:

Happy Retirees Kitchen

Not Quite Nigella 

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