Tuesday 1 March 2022

In My Kitchen - March 2022

Well, La Niña has hit us big time this week.  The north coast has had 500mls/20 inches in ten hours overnight.  Two (now seven) people have died in floodwaters, and the rain keeps coming. I feel so sad for those people, but why oh why don't they take notice?  Every summer we are told: 'If it's flooded, forget it'.  And then just to add a bit more trauma, we wake up to hear that Russia has done the deed (invaded, not blown us up - yet).  My friends I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, as I'm sure you are too.  And I thought 2021 was bad!

February events?  Hubby had his booster shot; the tradie finally came round again to put on secure locks to our front gates (lots of daytime robberies going on lately), and my ribs are nearly, almost, just about fixed.  I hope you're all feeling okay in these tumultuous times.  But life continues in my kitchen, as I know it does in yours.  So let's share a few cheery things from our global kitchens.  Everyone is welcome to join in!  


In My Kitchen:


there was fruit compôte

I made a compôte from all the frozen berries I had stashed away in the freezer.  Our de-cluttering never ends :-)  Or as a friend once (rather disdainfully I feel) commented: 'Oh, that's just a fancy word for stewed fruit, isn't it?'  Mm, yes, I guess so.  Tasted good anyway.


and meatloaf 'cake'

This is my beefy meatloaf 'cake', made with minced beef and lots of veggies grated into it.  Oh yes, and I added nutritional yeast flakes.  Whaaaat the?  Has vegan madness come over us?  Yes, oh yes it has.  I ended up with a massive bag of it, so I'm adding it here, there and everywhere.


and some Japanese goodies

You might have noticed that I'm a wee bit in love with all things Japanese.  I studied it at university for a couple of years (konnichiwa), and have never lost the attraction.  I found an online store, so can now order lovely foodstuffs when I want them.  Though nothing beats heading into our local Japanese grocery store up the road :-)  The wee tumbler is also from Japan.  (Sculpture in the background by our friend Catherine from Reason Gallery.)


a Japanese bowl, some tasty pearls and cute coasters

This is apparently a vintage/antique Japanese bowl, found at a market somewhere in Japan.  I bought it online, while the lemon myrtle pearls come from our local providore.  And the lovely fabric coasters were made by our arty friend Gay down in Hobart! 


and more Herbie's spices

I actually bought three packets of the freeze-dried chives!  I love 'em, and shove 'em in just about everything, especially eggy type dishes.  That's omelettes rather than custard :-)


treats from Singing Magpie

That sticky quince syrup is a winner.  A bit like pomegranate molasses in texture and density and sweetness.  Great in a salad dressing.  


and my curveball - a new sculpture

Yes another one!  This is a bronze kingfisher, made by our mate Dion at Mint Art House on the Gold Coast.  It is a beautiful piece - shiny and smooth and serene.  I've run out of room on our tables etc so another friend is making me a white plinth for it.  Friends keep saying I need to open an art gallery.  Or at least, hire out my pieces to others :-)  Mm, great idea ...


Your turn, my friends.  Time for everyone to join in this month.  Here's how:

IMK posts are 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 (see my artwork above).  

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

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, or if you would like it to be added after the 13th ('cos I can sneak it in)



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

40 comments:

  1. You are so right that things in this world are not going well! Weather is not climate, but as you say, we are seeing a lot of very harsh weather events all over. And the war is really appalling and threatens everyone. But your kitchen looks good. Too bad there's a person who does not grasp what IMK is.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh yes i am getting tired of the people trying to ride on the back of IMK. Grrrr... Oh well I'll keep on deleting. anyway, thanks for being here! x

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    2. Glad to see the intruders out of the linky!

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    3. yes it's very annoying. that wedding blog stuff - grrrr

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  2. Nice stuff in your kitchen this month! And yeah, 2022 is weirder than the last two years -- and they were weird! Glad your ribs are better. Anyway, I almost never use nutritional yeast -- definitely need to play with that a bit.

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    1. thank you KR. oh yes such a weird year. what else will happen? I dread to think.

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  3. Even i like nutritional yeast (unfortified of course) and I will never in my life be a vegan. The meatloaf cake looks great. Would love to try that miso hot sauce!

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    1. unfortified? eek i didn't know there was a difference. Yes the hot sauce is great stuff.

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  4. The world is in a crazy state! So glad that I can always pop back and find the comfort of the familiar - even after my little break.

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    1. hi Unknown. Glad you popped back! But who are you my friend? :-)

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  5. Oh that meatloaf cake looks right up my eat street! When I saw your new sculpture, I was wondering where you were going to put it! You joke about the loan but it is such a good idea. I was hoping some of my friends would lend us some artwork when we moved (as we shipped all our art to the UK!) but alas no one had any spare!

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    1. thanks sammie. yes i really need a wee studio in the backyard (I keep telling hubby) to contain all my stuff!

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  6. This year has started miserably, hopes of pandemic relaxation quickly dashed by Putin’s action and the ever present danger from climate change. It is a sad world! We need to distract ourselves. Otherwise it is too overwhelming! Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.

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    1. hi marie
      Thank you. yes i am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. the floodwaters are receding but there is so much cleanup to be done (not at our place thank goodness). And as for ukraine -- it's all too much.

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  7. Sherry,
    I haven't seen compote in a long time. My mom used to make it regularly- brought back memories. I love your pottery. Being vegan, it's weird that I just don't like Nutritional Yeast to help bring a cheese like flavor to my food. Your Japanese condiments look interesting and I do like miso. Thanks for a visit into your kitchen

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    1. yes i can't really see the attraction of the yeast extract and it doesn't taste like cheese to me :) But anyway i have a lot to use up... thanks for dropping by.

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  8. I sometimes just don't want to deal. Too overwhelmed, too. As always, though, I love your pottery and that last piece of art. Please be well!

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    1. thanks debra. I am feeling so much better these days tho i had my booster jab today so am hoping i don't feel rotten by tonight!

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  9. Stay safe and dry Sherry! The quince syrup came in really handy for recipes here too :)

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    1. thanks lorraine. yes it's good stuff that syrup, isn't it?

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  10. Hi! Sherry, your kitchen looks wonderful 😀! Thanks for sharing 😁.

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  11. You are totally right, Sherry - the world has gone bonkers. Every year seems to be trying to outdo the one before. Stay safe! In other news, that meatloaf cake sounds delicious!!

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    1. absolutely bonkers david! thanks re meatloaf cake :)

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  12. It is a very crazy world right now, but your kitchen seems like a great place to wait it out!

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  13. That is awful you have daytime robberies where you live! People in South Africa think there is no crime in Australia, which is why they choose to emigrate there. Stay safe and dry, if possible xxx

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    1. it's usually safe tandy but lately there have been a lot of robberies in the neighbourhood. they catch a train from the outer suburbs and steal a car! Weird weather atm; lots of storms around. who knows what will happen?:)

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  14. There is something wonderfully soothing about cooking and baking during difficult times. Just seeing your photos of your work in the kitchen eases my mind.

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    1. thanks deb. yes i find cooking very soothing to the soul.

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  15. Hope you're feeling better Sherry! We are living in crazy times these days, and I hope you and your family stay safe. You recipes look delicious, we have never heard of a meatloaf cake before, but it sounds delicious!

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    1. yes thanks 2 SR. we did fine in the floods; luckily our house is high up and away from the local brook. but sad for our lowlying neighbours in nearby suburbs. and a storm is due this arvo!

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  16. Lots of fabulous goodies in your kitchen this month. I love that sculpture. And your fruit compote is a great idea! I have some frozen berries that need to be used. A berry compote will be great over the Sunday pancakes.

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    1. thanks MJ. Yes definitely make a compote. so nice with all sorts of dishes.

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  17. I’m madly in love with that Kingfisher! Absolutely exquisite in its lines and finish. I have to say that your kitchen is much more exciting than mine. I don’t think I have anything new this month!

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    1. isn't he lovely? and so shiny :) It's nice to have new things in my kitchen; so cheering to try new foods etc.

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  18. The news about Russian invasion is dominating my Twitter feed. The Ukranians are brave and patriotic faced with such overwhelming odds. I'm afraid my own country wouldn't coome together as they have. We still have people whining about wearing a mask FFS.

    Love the additions to your kitchen this month. I also am happy to hear you are mending and your ribs are getting better. The floods are awful and I have been reading about them - stay safe!

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    1. thank you tina. we are okay flood-wise except for a leaking roof and probable replacement of all our insulation in the roof. Grrrr! Yes i worry about ukraine as does everyone. so very wrong! Damn Putin.

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  19. ARgh - not sure if last comment went through - It is a terrible thing for so many people affected by floods and russia's invassion of ukraine - hope you are doing well after the floods in Brisbane.

    Love your japanese bowl and dressings, the berry compote and quince syrup - I am thinking pancakes with berries and quince syrup

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    1. nope only this comment. Blogger is such a nuisance; it eats up comments for breakfast. Yes thanks we are okay with the floods. Pancakes sound good, but we are steering clear of carbs and sugar atm. Sigh...

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