In My Kitchen is a monthly gathering of bloggers from around the world writing about what is new and eventful in their kitchens. It is hosted by Sherry of Sherrys Pickings. Click on the link to discover new ideas, gadgets, recipes, and kitchen stories from talented and entertaining cooks. And please consider making your own contribution.
It’s been a quiet few weeks in my kitchen. A visit to the dentist and the emergency extraction of an infected tooth has kept me on soft and simple foods. However, there are a few things of note.
A kind reader reminded me of a recipe I posted for teriyaki sauce made with dates, no sugar, from way back in February of 2015. I decided it was worth revisiting. You will find the original post here. I made another batch and plan to use it to make teriyaki chicken. It is a thick sauce which would also be suitable for garnishing a rice bowl. I need to go back and reread some of my older posts, there were some pretty good ideas if I do say so myself.
My talented brother made me this wonderful pepper mill.
Pepper Mill – from Bocote Wood
Bocote wood is a Mexican and Central/South American Hardwood. Aren’t the contrasting zebra-like dark brown and black stripes beautiful? The pepper mill is unusual because it rests upside down, you remove the top and turn it over to grind the pepper. That way the grinds don’t end up all over the table. Such a lovely gift! Thank you John.
Now that so many of my friends have been vaccinated, we are slowly starting to visit each other. After the isolation of the last 15 months It is pure joy to see them. On a recent leisurely shopping afternoon in Mendocino I found these wonderful carved tongs and chop sticks.
I love the uniqueness of the chopsticks.
In my kitchen I almost always have at least one dog waiting for a belly rub. This is Casey tempting me. Who could resist that furry belly?
Casey
As far as things of note I’ve cooked this month (or rather in the last 30 days). There is…
I haven’t posted this one yet and hope to get around to it. The meatballs were cooked in the air fryer (both gluten and dairy free) and they turned out beautifully. We grilled the eggplant on the BBQ and garnished everything with crisp fried garbanzo beans and pomegranate seeds plus mint and parsley. It made for a scrumptious platter of food for dinner guests.
Crispy Lamb Meatballs with Grilled Eggplant
And lastly this salad, a wonderful side for a BBQ.
And here is my June curveball…
New Aussie Puppy
She is 3 weeks old in the picture, we are looking forward to her joining our family sometime near the end of this month. We haven’t decided on a name yet and are open to ideas. Please do leave a comment if you have a suggestion.
so many good thing here liz! those cauli cutlets look so tasty. and casey is adorable and i need to pat him 🙂 and what about the new pup? i always smile when i think of australian shepherd dogs; i didn’t know till recently that they are an american breed. i thought they were australian. silly me! i wonder why the name? the celery and lentil salad also looks like a dinner winner. the fish, the chicken and the cream cheese tart also have me drooling. Keep well and see you next month and Thanks so much for being part of IMK.
xx
I don’t know where the Australian name comes from, not silly at all. Why is it even there? I think cattle dogs actually came from Australia and they are related, maybe something in the original breeding. Thank you for continuing to host us. It’s a wonderful group.
It’s a pleasure to host this lovely bunch! Meant to say i love that pepper mill. How clever!
What a delicious selection of dishes! And such a beautiful wood pepper mill! Looks like a very busy month, despite the tooth issue.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh – between belly rubs and that cute “puppy” remind me of all the dogs we use to have 🙂 What a talent your brother has – does he have a store or does he participate in art fairs?
Your brother is very talented, I love that pepper mill! And those tongs and chopsticks you found – they’d go together with the mill on your table. Your current and future pups are great!
Your brother is certainly talented, the pepper mill is really a pretty one.
Oh my goodness that puppy face!! Dogs are just the best 🙂 Like everyone else I am super impressed by your brother’s pepper mill making skills!