I have had a beautiful few weeks off from work and blogging, but it’s time to get back into the swing. Slowly at least!
This is my first In my Kitchen post to be hosted by Maureen from The Orgasmic Chef – if you haven’t read her blog, be sure to check it out. Chock full of mouth-watering recipes that make you want to cook!
In my kitchen…
… is the first pavlova I’ve made in many, many years. Way back in 1988 when I was a Rotary Exchange Student (to Canada), I must have made 20 pavlovas. The first six with Pavlova Magic (remember that?), then I ran out (horrors!) and had to work out how to make it with real eggs. Seriously, making pav with real eggs is so incredibly easy. This one used eight egg whites and fed eleven of us for two desserts. The mango and blueberry topping is pretty uninspired, but it was all I had, and there was NO WAY I was prepared to go to the shops – I was on holiday dammit!
In my kitchen…
… is one of many batches of chocolate and macadamia shortbread I made while on holiday. While it’s definitely one of my favourite sweet treats, I probably didn’t need to eat my way through four batches of it… However it’s one of the only sweet foods I ate over Christmas, so I don’t feel too bad!
In my kitchen…
… is a tray of home made sausage rolls. I know I have spoken before about how sausage rolls are our family’s traditional Christmas morning breakfast, and just because I was away was no reason not to make some!
In my kitchen…
… are a couple of new cookbooks. The Accountant and I always give each other books for Christmas, and it’s rare that I don’t receive a cookbook or two. Especially when I chose, buy and wrap them for myself as I did this year!
In my kitchen…
… are a few cucumbers from the garden of one of The Accountant’s colleagues. Perfect for salads, smoothies and the tzatztiki I keep meaning to make!
In my kitchen…
… is a mouth-wateringly good ham and cheese toastie. One of many I have eaten over recent weeks, with many more still to come thanks to the purchase of a second ham when we returned from holiday. I might have to make one for tonight’s lazy Sunday dinner. Although I could happily eat one now. As an afternoon snack. However am trying to practice moderation.
In my kitchen…
… well, really in my garden, is this very weirdly-angled sunflower. I have no idea how it grew at this angle, and I have ABSOLUTELY no idea how it didn’t get all eaten by the #crazychickens! Just one of life’s little miracles I suppose.
What’s in your kitchen this month? Or last month? Be sure to pop over to The Orgasmic Chef to read a few other In my Kitchen posts from around the world.
I love those cookbooks!! What a lovely tradition to give books at Christmas – we do the same. We’re usually spot on for our choices too.
The first pavlova I ever made was with the magic egg and then I read what the ingredients were in a REAL pav. My inlaws were coming to dinner and I said I’d make a pavlova and John nearly had a heart attack. “They are really difficult to make” and “it too my mother years to perfect it” and “it takes a LOT of practice, Maureen.”
I told him I could read and to stop worrying. He bought a cheese plate just in case. He worried for nothing. 🙂
Thanks heaps for being part of In My Kitchen and look forward to catching up during 2016.
Mel, I hear ya on those once-a-year holiday treats. Your shortbread and sausage rolls look fantastic! A little indulgence is good for the soul, and ham-n-cheese-toastie moderation in January is good for the waistline. 🙂
I’ve never made a Pavlova, but used to make something called “Cherry Berries On A Cloud” in the 70’s. (Basically individual meringues topped with cherry pie filling — the “fanciest” dessert recipe making the rounds back then, ha!) Somehow making/serving/eating a whole Pavlova (topped with fresh fruit) sounds like more fun.
Thanks for the one-of-a-kind sun flower photo, too (!) — made me feel warmer and happy to see its unabashed individuality. Happy New Year!
thanks Kim, your Cherry Berries On a Cloud sounds really good – might have to give that a go too
Books are always high on my wishlist, esp cookbooks. I’ve been eyeing off the Great Australian Cookbook. Mango and blueberries are the perfect pav topping. I have been concerned that the humidity might make making crisp meringue a challenge, but clearly not
it’s a great book Sandra. Luckily it wasn’t that humid the day I made the pav.
I’ve never had to actually wrap my own presents, but I certainly have to make lists of cookbooks I’d like! Ah men!
that sunflower is hilarious Mel. look at all your lovely shortbreads and yep sausage rolls are the best. hope you had a great break.
thanks Sherry – it gave me a lot of giggles!
I was an AFS student to Germany back in 90-91, always fun “meeting” another former exchange student. I have never made a pavlova but after seeing so many lately I feel the need to make one soon. Your books look lovely, I usually get a few cookbooks for Christmas as well.
thanks Gretchen