In My Kitchen - February 2023

Okay I'll get the bad news over and done with first.  It's only February 1, and we've been to three funerals already.  I am kinda over this year already!!  Well, I say funerals but really two of them were wakes - which seems to be becoming the norm these days.  The family has a private cremation or burial, and then there's a knees-up to celebrate the life of your loved one.  Not a bad idea.

So I've been doing lots of cooking and baking this month.  I find it very therapeutic!  I managed to make a wonderful chocolate cake for Cookbook Club from Nagi Maehashi's cookbook Dinner.  It was so moist and chocolatey even though it only has cocoa rather than actual chocolate.  And I covered it in lots of sprinkles and pink flamingoes and chocolate shavings - the more the merrier, I say.  (On the blog soon.) 

In My Kitchen:

there was bio-dynamic garlic from Patrice Newell's farm 'Elmswood'

Our Tassie friend Madam P. was up here when the box arrived so she helped me divvy up the garlic bulbs into their respective cloves, for freezing.  It lasts for months!  This is called Purple Glamour Garlic, I believe.

 

a beautiful hand-carved spoon from Mr P.

I seem to have lost the artist's name - oops!  We bought it at a local craft market before Christmas (witness the Grinch cloth).  You all know how much I love a wooden spoon!  (I found the name!  It's by Di Page, and is made from black wattle.)

so gorgeous!  handmade from old blankets by CWA ladies

My cousin KT. sent me these lovely oven mitts, made by country ladies from old, woollen blankets.  I love them!  And they feel so comfy and secure when you use them.  Just like an old blanket :=)

a glorious Christmas gift from Princess Pia - Tenmoku tea cup

gifts from our Tassie friends Madam P. & Mr. W.

I love a tin mug, and spoons! The wee spoons were gifts

3 essentials - sardines, syrup and salt!

salad splash, and a bright orange bowl from Batch Ceramics

and homemade berry jam by moi!

I had some strawberries and blackberries (or was it raspberries?) in the freezer, so I made a quick jam for the lamington pikelets I was planning to make for the blog (post coming in Feb.)

and the curveball - mini-Ned by Christian Newton

Our mate Christian also goes by the name of Chainsaw Newton, as his work involves hacking up pieces of driftwood and salvaged timber into glorious artworks!  This is mini-Ned, carved out of found oregon wood.  Isn't he adorable?

Please join us for In My Kitchen, everybody.  We are a lovely, friendly community of like-minded foodie folks.  You are all welcome, whoever and wherever you are.  But please follow the 'rules', as benign as they are: we are looking for kitchen and kitchen garden items, with one curveball for whatever you like.  So, not really recipes as such, though feel free to stick in an occasional (short) one, but IMK is not so much for recipes, but for fun things happening in your kitchen over the last month.

But before signing off for this post, I am adding a photo of our dear friend Rob, who passed way too quickly, and way too young.  We are deeply saddened at his loss.

our dear friend Rob

Be a part of our friendly IMK community by adding your post too.  Here's how to join us:

Tell us about your kitchen (and kitchen garden) happenings over the past month.  Dishes you've cooked, preserves you've made, herbs and veg. in your garden, kitchen gadgets, and goings-on.  And a curveball is welcome - whatever you fancy; no need to be kitchen-related.  

The link is open from the first of the month to midnight on the thirteenth of the month, every month.

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