Monday 4 January 2016

What's in my kitchen, January 2016

When I went to type the title of this post, my fingers immediately typed 2015. Then I backspaced, and typed 2015 again. Probably by the time it gets to about June I'll be well in the habit of using that 6! Happy new year! Mr Fork and I had a quiet new year's celebration with out little family. We had a nice dinner at home, tucked the kids into bed and then... slightly later, put ourselves into bed too! Haha, yes, this is what it has come to. We couldn't even muster the energy to go to our nearby lookout and watch the children's fireworks at 8pm this year. Since they also weren't showing on TV, we decided that we didn't need to see them badly enough to keep the kids up late and so, early nights all around it was! Having said that, this year has started off fabulously. We have continued with the food fest started at Christmas and it's been just lovely having everyone home from work/daycare and being able to have unscheduled days and plenty of time catching up with family and friends. And food, always lots of food... hurrah for home cooking, stone fruit and sugary festive treats!

In my kitchen is...

a Kikki.k "For the love of good food and paper" book, given to me by our family secret santa. With a large family Christmas lunch, often in excess of 30 attendees, we have (thankfully) moved to buying just for one person instead of for all present. This means that gifts are often perfectly chosen for the receiver instead of just a gesture as inevitably happens when you have to buy for so many people. This book is full of little food related paper items, such as recipe cards, cupcake wrappers, pretty food related printed paper, and even pre-cut tags and boxes for packaging food gifts. It's such a 'me' present, I'm so pleased with it.
In my kitchen is...

Another well chosen Christmas present of nested measuring cups. Each hen splits in half so that the bottom and top half are different sized cup measures, and reveal another egg or hen inside. I love them, particularly for all the puns I get to make (both out loud and in my head) about them.
You know, which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or when I get to 'crack' the egg. Every one needs a helping hen.
In my kitchen is...

The annual Christmas 'picky eater' loaf. I've mentioned that Christmas lunch is a big family affair to often morphs into dinner. It's a traditional meal too, with a turkey, chicken and ham with roast vegetables. As long as I've been attending, it's been my job to bring along a contribution for the vegan and 'picky eater' group. In my family, that's anyone that doesn't eat the roast meats, so I usually make my loaf vegan and gluten free to cater for everyone else. I also brought along my own jug of mushroom gravy so I was well fed.
Here's my plate, with the loaf and gravy, assorted roast vegetables and a felafel on the side in case I felt the need of it too. Surrounded by family, food and presents, it really was a great day.
In my kitchen is...

A bit of a cheat as it's not technically in my kitchen, but I did snap the pictures while shopping for things to go in the kitchen... so that sort of counts right? My local Woolworths (and Coles too, but I don't have a picture of that) have put up a display stand with free fruit for the kids to eat as they go through the store. Healthy food distraction for the win! I was able to get them both through most of the supermarket minus any demands for sugary snacks and was even asked to buy a few extra pieces of fruit as they looked so tasty (but weren't in the free fruit box) so we had to get some for eating later.
As can be seen here, Jimmy is an enormous fan. He loves his fruit and even finished off the remainder of Ellie's pear once she'd eaten all the tasty bits!
In my kitchen is...

The memory of Christmas supper. We had some dear friends over on Christmas eve for nibbles and drinks. Mr Fork and I even cracked open a bottle of Moet that we were given when Jimmy was born (and let me tell you, with the heat on Christmas eve, it went down very well!). We served plenty of dips and crackers, some cheese, lots of fresh fruit and there was even some homemade felafel balls and turkey sausage rolls as well. It was a lovely relaxed way to usher in Christmas, and for me, that was when it started to kick in that we were on holidays and things were starting to feel festive... just sitting down and sharing some drinks and food with great people. It helped that the children were on their best behaviour in anticipation of Santa visiting, and were very excited (and cute) putting out some carrots for the reindeer and a cherry ripe for Santa before turning in with their Santa sacks.
 In my kitchen is...

Another Christmas gift, a crumble dish. Notable for several reasons. It's pink! A pink baking dish, how delightful! It's for crumble. I love crumble and should I ever forget the recipe, it's printed right there - in the dish. Finally, the brand is Suzy Home Baker. I do so love a good pun! And a useful pink dish is a winner too.
Happy 2016 to you. I hope that it's off to a glorious and delicious start.

I am linking this post in with Maureen of Orgasmic Chef who is hosting the monthly In My Kitchen event for the first time. Thanks Maureen! Head on over to have a peek through many other kitchens!

What's in your kitchen this month?

17 comments:

  1. What a wonderful Christmas in your kitchen this year! Your apple eater is adorable and I love the pink dish too!

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Maureen, and a happy new year to you too. I love that he's a fruit (and milk) monster!

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  2. So much good stuff here Lisa - happy new year - we had a quiet one too as it was so hot. Love your presents and your loaf. I was really surprised to see the free fruit - only seen in woollies so far. BTW my brother in law told me that he was told off for taking photos in coles because it is private property - what!!!!! makes me think of all the supermarket photos I have taken!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Johanna, happy new year to you too! One day when travel is easier, I would love to experience a white and cold Christmas and New Year!!

      Gosh, I'm always taking photos everywhere I go. I've not been told off (yet) but I suppose it can be a touchy subject for some people... wow!

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  3. that book looks great! And a pink dish is always a winner for me :D

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  4. Love the 'picky eater' contribution. I usually do a feta and pea tart but the vegetarians were very happy with halloumi in chilli and honey sauce this time. Happy New Year.

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  5. Happy 2016 to you and Mr Fork too!

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  6. A bowl with crumble recipe included... and pink to boot = life. made. Happy New Year.

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  7. A bowl with crumble recipe included... and pink to boot = life. made. Happy New Year.

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  8. Your NYE sounds much like ours! Hubby had to work and didn't get home until 7:30 or so. The kids were exhausted so we didn't let them stay up late. Since it was a week full of long work hours for hubby which meant long hours with the boys on rainy days for me, we were in bed by 10! Love the fruit snacks at the store. We have a coup,e stores that do similar things, though most offer just a cookie from the bakery section. Insiders know the same store will let kids have a banana in the produce section or cheese stick at the seafood department, you just need to ask. Love the nesting cup set, I could have fun with that. Happy Mew Year!

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  9. How brilliant about the free fruit! That's great. I love the look of your Christmas plate too, and those are very cute nested measuring cups.

    Happy 2016 :)

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  10. Can I tell you how much I love the free fruit basket - and your little fruit picker is adorable! The Kriss Kringle present is brilliant too - I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out it. You've got a great haul to start the year.

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  11. Lisa, your Christmas lunch plate with mushroom gravy is mouthwatering! So is your grown-ups snacks/drinks Christmas Eve photo. Food, family, friends... aaaahhhh. The wee ones munching on fruit made me smile, too. :) Happy New Year!

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  12. yes our family has been doing secret santa for a few years. so much easier and nicer to have one good present rather than token gestures from many. love the look of your xmas loaf and gravy. such a cutie nibbling on his fruit. fab measuring cups too.

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  13. I enjoyed reading about your family and holidays. What a wonderful idea to put out a bin with fresh fruit for the children. I know what you mean about suddenly the reality of the holidays setting in, it's such a busy time in the lead up. The paper book is such a thoughtful gift. Happy New Year.

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  14. I enjoyed reading about your family and holidays. What a wonderful idea to put out a bin with fresh fruit for the children. I know what you mean about suddenly the reality of the holidays setting in, it's such a busy time in the lead up. The paper book is such a thoughtful gift. Happy New Year.

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  15. Happy 2016 Lisa - I'm heading to Kikki.K right now to check out that foodie paper book :) Great peek in you kitchen #IMK

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