Thursday 1 April 2021

In My Kitchen - April 2021

Well, April is starting off with ... a whimper, rather than a bang.  Brisbane went into lockdown for three days from the 29th March, so here we are hoping that Easter isn't a total wipeout.  It's already what my sister and I call "Covid quiet" - no traffic, no people, no noise.  I actually really love it, as long as it's only for a few days.  Here's hoping ...

Okay, here's where I admit that my mojo is still off with the fairies.  I am finding it hard to get motivated at the moment.  I have a short story or two to get written in the next two weeks, but I just can't seem to get there.  But I'll keep trying.  I hope you're all doing okay in this weird Covid world we live in.  Anyway, let's jump over all that, and look at our kitchen shenanigans.  Feel free to join in, everyone!  


In My Kitchen:


and I bought another cookbook

Readers in Australia will remember Alice as a contestant from Masterchef.  She is fabulous!  And she has written this weighty tome about - you guessed it - vegetables.  I'm looking forward to ploughing through it, and trying out some of her recipes.


and more smoked salt

I absolutely love smoked salt, so had to buy this one.  Weirdly, even though it is a pale brown colour, it has no scent or taste of smoke at all.  Maldon is my fave salt of all time, so I don't mind, but compared to other smoked salts I've tried, this is beyond mild. 


a gorgeous tea towel by local artist Kate Piekutowski

I love Kate's work, but I'll settle for a tea towel until I can afford one of her artworks.  I have my eye on a fabulous new etching of hers ...
  

another fab bowl by Batch# Ceramics

This is my fourth piece from Batch Ceramics.  I love their handmade quirkiness, and the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey ... nah, hang on, that's Dr Who:-)  This one wobbles, and it's fantastic.  It's called a Honeymoon bowl (in chartreuse); perhaps for sharing before or after connubial bliss?  (The Little Bather painting by Susan Montgomery on the wall.)


another tumbler from Magnolia Mountain

I have quite a few (hmmph - lots!) beautiful tumblers of varying sizes from Magnolia Mountain.  This one is so beautiful with its fine white hue and elegance.  And in the sunlight, I can see my fingers through it.


kelpy condiments from Mystery Bay

I saw this on telly the other night on a lifestyle show, so I bought some, dear readers.  Apparently one of the chemicals in kelp is being used in breast cancer treatments.  I added some to an egg dish I made last night, and it gave a slightly salty, kelpy taste.  We liked it!


a personalised charcuterie/cheese/serving board

Our old (as in long-standing) friend Mr. Astronomer made this lovely board for me.  It's made of local blackbutt, an Australian hardwood.  He's happy to make them for people (at a price naturally), but you'd have to be in the Brisbane area :-)  It has a lovely heft, and smell and grain to it.


my curveball this month

I went to an art show with a friend recently.  I love drawings, and I love portraits and I really love this one.  She has such gravitas, and determination.  You can just see my friend and myself reflected in the glass!  And you can see the winner reflected back - a beautifully-drawn pair of boots.  This is called Family Portrait 2 by Sharon Beckett.  Can't wait to have it home on my walls.


So that's me done; hoping to see lots of you lovelies here with an In My Kitchen post.  Once again, a wee reminder: IMK posts are about your kitchen (and kitchen garden) happenings over the past month.  Dishes you've cooked, or preserves you've made, or herbs and veg in your garden, kitchen gadgets, and goings-on.  You get the picture.  And don't forget your curveball!  Throw in whatever you fancy.  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:


Options for adding your post to IMK:

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



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

74 comments:

  1. I love seeing what's in your kitchen. And I can relate to the lack of mojo. Sorry about the lockdown but I hope you do it better than we seem to be and knock that virus down!

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    1. hi jeanie
      thanks! lockdown is ending early in 2 hours. Yay!!

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  2. Hi Sherry — looks like IMK has been commandeered by someone who isn’t onboard with real kitchen news, just promoting their website. Sad. I have mine ready for when the IMK is back to normal.

    I love all your new stuff, especially the portrait!

    be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. hi Mae
      yes it's very annoying that they don't even have the courtesy to put up a comment here! yep i love that portrait too!

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    2. Another two links to self-serving non-IMK posts have appeared... As I always say: Poor You!!

      mae

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    3. ooh yes very annoying. obvs they don't even read my post. at least this woman left a comment!

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  3. Love that drawing (and particularly the layers of reflections) -- really nice. I'm a fan of smoked salts, too -- bummer that one was kinda wimpy. Anyway, fun stuff this month -- thanks.

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    1. thanks KR. I still maldon salt so i am happy to use it but no smokiness at all - weird.

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  4. Some really good stuff this month, Sherry. That personalized serving board is really cool. And I love that cute tea towel. Maldon salt is one of the best. My current favourite is Celtic grey salt.
    We are still in lockdown here in Germany...today there are about 18000 new infected covid patients and 250 deaths. Stay safe!!!

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    1. thanks angie. it was so kind of our friend to make it. i must try celtic grey salt one day. was that 18K in one day? oh my!

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  5. I am loving that green bowl! Also hoping your Easter comes through! We are now fully vaccinated and I am so happy! Hope you can get it soon!

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    1. isn't it gorgeous abbe? yep the lockdown ends at midday. Yay!

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  6. You always find such treasures to share - that board is especially exquisite! My mojo has definitely gone AWOL which is why I haven't linked up, sigh! Hope you get out of lockdown in time for the long weekend.

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    1. thanks sammie. lockdown ends in under 2 hours Yay! you still have 12.5 days to add an IMK:-)

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  7. Fortunately I believe your lockdown has ended so Easter will happen - with masks. I feel for you having experienced most of 2020 in lockdown in Melbourne. Still feeling a bit odd about going out but getting used to it.

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    1. yes we are lucky tho i feel so sorry for the Blues Fest people losing all that income for the year. I think the NSW govt went a bit crazy cancelling it. we are wearing masks for the next two weeks - eek!

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  8. I really like that term 'Covid quiet'. I know what you mean! We haven't been in lockdown for some time now, but it reminds me of the quiet that comes with a snowstorm. No cars, no noise. It's nice. (Of course, the snowstorm means I have to shovel it...so...)

    I love that Maldon Smoked Sea Salt. Mine definitely tastes smoky - I almost wonder if they got the packages mixed up and you got regular sea salt? Who knows. Either way, happy April and Happy Easter!

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    1. yes i like it too. and i even like covid quiet as a thing:) yep definitely no smoked smell or taste to the salt. i figure they put the wrong label on. happy easter to you! snow? nope not a thing here:-)

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  9. A great selection of products. How nice to have a custom made cutting board.

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    1. i have a feeling you are not real! but i will allow your comment - for now!

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  10. Hope you will feel better soon, these are strange times indeed..... I tried to add my link but it says Link party is ended... so I am not sure what to do... here is the link to my blog post https://bewitchingkitchen.com/2021/04/01/in-my-kitchen-april-2021/

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    1. thanks muchly for joining in. so glad the link finally worked.

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  11. I'm a condiment fanatic so the smoked sea salt and the kelp condiment really caught my attention. I love smoky sea salts! What a beautiful board and having a personalized board in your kitchen would make one feels so special. :)

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    1. yes i am enjoying the kelp thingy. and it does me good :-) yep love the board. happy easter!

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  12. All good now, the link is up.... thanks for hosting!

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  13. Happy Easter Sherry! I hope you'll have a nice time!

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  14. I do love that tea towel! And I also love the covid quietness, although that is just about gone now where I live.

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  15. Always interesting to read and see what's on IMK. Sadly I have nothing to report though taking my flours to make my special Granny pancakes down in the Hunter next week. Have a fab Easter lovely xox

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    1. hi michaela
      nice to see you here. have fun in the hunter!

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  16. Happy Easter Sherry and pleased you are out of lockdown. All your new acquisitions are great love the tea towel, must look her up and the drawing. Still to start working on my IMK, a bit besotted with breadmaking. Take care. Oh and I love Alice Z as well. Have her book too. Stay safe xx

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    1. thanks pauline. i love the tea towel and the drawing too. hope to see you here soon. Isn't alice fab? so talented, so kind.

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  17. Absolutely stunning drawing. And the board is amazing. I'm a bit jealous. Thank you for hosting. Have a beautiful week. :)

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    1. thanks very much. sorry but i have to take off at least one of your links just cos it doesn't fit into IMK. But as a kind gesture i'll leave one up. cheers!

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  18. I just love your charcuterie board - now I want one! :) And the tumbler — such an elegant design.

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    1. gorgeous isn't it? a clever chappie. if only you lived closer... you too could get a board

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  19. We are getting our second covid injection next week and I'm very excited. As the first dose is effective we chanced a meal at a local restaurant as a treat. Turns out it wasn't as great or fun as we'd thought. I am so used to eating at home and enjoying the peace of our yard that I'd forgotten about how loud this restaurant was!

    Love your mugs and the wooden board. You mentioned Mr Astronomer and I wanted to say my hisnband has loads of telescopes, he mentioned he would love to see the southern hemisphere. New constellations!

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    1. no injections for us yet. soon i guess. yes it's almost a bit hard getting out and about again isn't it? home seems very safe these days. our friend is so clever at his woodwork. Definitely you must come visit!

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  20. I love everything you posted, that bowl is in my favourite shade of green. I can't wait until I can go poking in local shops and buy goodies.

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    1. isn't it lovely? i have grown into green in my old age:)

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  21. You posted so many interesting and lovely things. I love the tea towel ... Happy Easter

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  22. I love so many things in your post this week but my absolute favourite is the curveball - what an amazing artist! The tea towel comes in at a close second. I love how you keep collecting little bowls every month.. my house is so small that I would be sleeping with a bowl if I were like you! Thanks for hosting :)

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    1. yep i love that drawing! she is such a good artist. and the tea towel ... i love art! Yes indeed our walls and shelves are veeeery full now - of art and ceramics etc. I need a bigger house:-)

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  23. Oh goodness, I hope you’re able to enjoy and celebrate Easter. What a pain this virus is. Really disappointing about the smoked salt. Maldon is highly regarded as a product, as you probably know. Love your ceramics!

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    1. i love maldon salt and i love this one as just a salt but there's no smokiness there. sad. thanks!

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  24. Hi Sherry. I hope you get your mojo back, but i understand completely. I am feeling the same too. You have peaked my interest in In Praise of Veg cookbook, even though i am not in need of anymore cookbooks, this one does interest me. So i'd be interested if its one you recommend to buy ie does it have enough new and innovative recipes to invest in - please do let me know. I am familiar with the sea salt as it comes into my home regular, but have not seen the smoked version in the UK, which is interesting - i am wondering is it just for overseas. Shame its not smokey though. Admiring you teatowel and the cheese board is so lovely, only to come out for special occasions.

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    1. thanks shaheen. it's really hard to find my mojo lately. alice is fabulous so i think her book will be too. i will let you know more when i get thru it. I've seen the maldon smoked salt on their website so you can get it in the UK. hope your easter was great.

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  25. Love the chartreuse bowl, I'd love to have one in my kitchen as well.

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    1. i've grown into green in my old age! i really love this bowl.

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  26. Such lovely things in your kitchen Sherry! I'm sad I didn't have enough time to see you on my recent Brisbane trip-it was a super fast trip and less than 24 hours!

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    1. thanks lorraine. it would have been lovely to catch up...

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  27. We love the fact you visit us every week and all the way from "the down under!" Australia people are the most kindest, generous and sweetest people on earth. We hope to visit your beautiful country/continent someday. Thank you, Sherry

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    1. No worries, as we say here. yep i have to agree - we aussies are pretty darn fine. Come on down!

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  28. Ohh I am interested on that MBK, I bet it would put so much umami on a dish

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    1. hi raymund
      i've been using the MBK on everything. not sure it has much flavour but it is good for you:) and it's salty which i like.

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  29. Just linking up today. I more than adore that tea towel. As always, your pottery finds are amazing as is the art. I just bought a new piece two and should have posted it as my curveball! Did you know you can smoke your own salt. I tried it for some holiday gifts this year.

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    1. thanks debra. oh yes curveballs are always welcome esp. arty ones:) I never thought to smoke my own salt - interesting...

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  30. In Praise of Veg is the next book I have to review. But I need to get my noodle book done first. And that is difficult as I cannot find the ingredients here! I also found the Maldon smoked salt to be underwhelming, especially when compared to locally made ones. I wish we would harvest kelp here for food use. I have some dulse which I love using and it is so healthy for you.

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    1. i do love Alice! she is so smart and funny and a good cook to boot. yes weird about the maldon salt; the normal version is my fave but this was just so ... plain. Such a great idea to harvest kelp!

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  31. I know the feeling of low motivation - though I am hoping that the vaccine might open up the country a bit more (if they can sort out the rollout). You have so much lovely art around your house and kitchen - I love how artistic so much of your crockery is - and that teatowel art is so sweet. I love the sound of the infused kept and your chopping board is so lovely. I have that maldon smoked salt and have been enjoying using it but not noticed much smokiness!

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    1. thanks johanna. my friends say our house is like an art gallery:) Yes weird about the salt. no smokiness at all.

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  32. Thank you so much for hosting Sherry, this is certainly my favorite time of the month. I get to read all the linked blogs and find out how everyone is doing, real news not the hyped stuff on TV. I am sorry you are yet again in lockdown, we are all Covid tired at this point. We've been in some form of reduced activity for over a year here in California although I have finally received both vaccine doses. Our trip to Australia and New Zealand has been rescheduled yet again (4th time) as the travel company has been unable to give us any assurances that the borders will be open.

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    1. thanks liz. we had a short 3 day lockdown but are just getting to the end of a two week period with masks etc. Crumbs that's sad about your trip. Yes we haven't booked anything except local stuff for over a year.

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  33. Glad you had a good time. You guys are my kind of eater!! Everything looks so good.

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  34. Love your tea towel. Alice is a wonderful food educator - I did some online cooking classes with her last year and she was always lots of fun.

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    1. yes alice is great - full of fun and knowledge and takes joy in imparting it i think.

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