In My Kitchen - May 2023

April?  Where did you go?  We had birthdays galore, and Easter and Anzac Day.  The weather got cooler, the possum baby grew up, and I did heaps of baking and cooking for the blog and for the Cookbook Clubs I'm in.  Fun times!  How about your month, my friends?

Strange times lately: our Jaboticaba (Brazilian rainforest tree) actually fruited twice (briefly) in April!  'So what?' you say.  Well, it fruits in December usually, and occasionally in October - you know, Spring and all ...  I've made jam with the dark-skinned fruits before.  And guess what?  The skins have so much pectin, that the jam could not be spooned out of the jar without a jackhammer.  It sets like the devil has frightened it out of its wits.  But I digress.  Here's my April kitchen:

In My Kitchen:

there were Polish chocolates sent from Warsaw

Hubby's Ukrainian mates sent a surprise parcel of chocolates from where they are living in Warsaw.  They are Ukrainian refugees, who fled Kiev when the war broke out.  We sent them books and toys, as they had fled with nothing except their 3 children and Grandma.  What a world we live in.

I made caramel lace biscuits from First, Cream the Butter and Sugar

I was going to blog these biscuits from Emelia Jackson's book, but sadly they were difficult and time-consuming to make, so I didn't think they were worth the effort.  They did taste pretty good, but effort versus value?  Nah!  But hey, other bloggers found them just fine to make and eat.

I tried to drink this!

See the ingredients?  No sweeteners, and lots of curry-type flavours.  Oh me, oh my!  This was like drinking a thick, spicy curry paste!  Not to be repeated :=)  I shoved it into freezer bags, and will (try to) use it in actual curries when I next make one!!  Which weird alien creature would want to have this as a refreshing drink?!?

I froze some zucchini 'juice'

I made Alice Zaslavsky's zucchini bread.  You end up with salty zuke water, after squeezing out the grated zukes.  So I froze it for stews and soups.

another trip to Genki-Mart for Japanese goodies

Yuzu rice crackers, and a biiiig bottle of Kewpie mayo.  Oh yes, and matcha-flavoured Kit-Kats.

and I made cute little beef and veg. pies

I take over dinner to our 91-year old neighbour usually once a week (she loves my omelettes), but this time I made some small pies for her - and us!  I bought the pastry - a brand that is new to me - but it was fine.  Who knew how difficult it is lately to buy pastry?!

Belinda's latest book

I've been to a few of Belinda's cooking classes when she lived and worked in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales (not that far over the border for us to travel).  Such a wonderful person and cook!

yep, more strawberry saké!

I bought this cute, little saké cup from a store in Sydney (online), which came in this hand-painted box.  Naturally I had to rush to the Japanese grocers' to buy a bottle of strawberry saké to try it.  It is so rustic and adorable to hold.  And the saké is pretty delish too.

Fridge magnets from the Polish mates

chutney and chilli sauce from Tasmania - gifts for Mr P.'s birthday from our Hobart friends

my curveball - a looooong carpet python in the yard

Isn't s/he a beauty!!  I reckon s/he's at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) long!  They are such gorgeous creatures.  We live just down the road from a hill covered in trees and vegetation.  It is the home to many birds, snakes, possums, foxes etc etc ...  At one time, the local Council were going to do a burn-off in winter, but many of us protested due to the wildlife being endangered.  Thank heavens they let it be.

But onwards friends, to IMK!  Let's be having your posts, me hearties!  And here's how to join us.

c. Sherry M.

Be a part of our friendly IMK community by adding your post too - everybody welcome!  We'd love to see you here.

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 one curveball is welcome - whatever you fancy; no need to be kitchen-related (see the snake above).  

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In My Kitchen:

TheAnnoyedThyroid

Lavender&Lime

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