In My Kitchen December 2014

 

Here we are, December, already! 3 weeks until Christmas!! Where has this year gone! Shopping, what shopping, I haven’t even thought about it but every year I leave it until the last minute and fight the crowds. At least my friend from Japan got in early and is more organised than me – my lovely Chrissy present from Japan (pictured above and all the food has been eaten already!) Are you battling the Christmas crowds for pressie shopping? Me too! I’m never that organised and as for Chrissy day lunch – no idea!

I’ve got my IMK in early this month due to the fact that school has finished, for now. I still have to make up three classes of stocks, sauces and soups next year and some work experience in a commercial kitchen, for me to get my Commercial Cookery 3 certificate where I’ll become a professional cook – YAY!

I love being a part of In My Kitchen, which is hosted by Celia at Fig Jam & Lime Cordial. The wonderful people I’ve met and become friends with from all over Australia & the world, just by looking in their kitchens every month is amazing.

May you all have a wonderful (foodie) Christmas and fantastic (foodie) New Year xx from all of us at Miss Food Fairy

In My Kitchen . . .

 . . is some fantastic produce from my sister’s veggie patch – an over abundance of Cos (Romaine) lettuce and spring onions. I never have to buy lettuce or spring onions again for the next month or two! I’ve had to freeze the spring onions for future use and I’m always looking for new inspiration for using salad – what do you use your lettuce for? I would love you to share your favourite lettuce recipes with me.

In My Kitchen . . .

. . Peking duck. I went to the Queen Victoria Market looking for a organic, free range duck, when I came across The Chicken Pantry. They have amazing organic, free range poultry and game. This little beauty was 2.6kg and was absolutely delicious! So much duck stock (20 cups to be precise!) was made from the bones, that I can’t wait to use and the duck eggs, I haven’t used yet – I’m savouring the moment until I can’t wait no more 😉

In My Kitchen . . .

. . a lovely gift from Celia – red, ceramic egg holder and some sour dough starter! Now I have somewhere for my eggs when I get them out of the fridge (and they won’t roll off the bench and smash on the floor!) Now I’ve finished school I’m looking forward to making some sourdough from scratch – very exciting! Thank you again Celia, very thoughtful and kind of you x

In My Kitchen . . .

. . is my new pastry brush (on the left). As you can see my old one on the right, which I’ve had for as long as I can remember, has a few melted hairs and the handle is starting to rot near the metal clasp. It was time to upgrade and she’s a great addition to my kitchen.

In My Kitchen . . .

. . is my new brown chopping board, used for cooked meats, and my dough scraper. The dough scraper is so hard to find, without having to pay upwards of $4-$5! This makes light work of getting those doughs out of your bowls in one go – happy days! I needed this new cooked meat (brown) chopping board as the glass board I was using for raw and cooked meats (that’s a big no-no in the commercial kitchen, due to cross contaminating) had to go, as it was blunting my knives.

In My Kitchen . . .

. . another new family member – Smith & Nobel 30cm frypan. Our old one finally gave up – the handle wouldn’t tighten anymore. Our new frypan is amazing! It can be put from stove top to oven, withstanding 300°C temperatures and has a 10 year warranty.

And lastly In My Kitchen . . .

. . is my gluten free cherry Clafoutis, made on the last day of school. It’s so moreish and I will be sharing with you the recipe very soon. Such an easy dessert that I think I’ll be making more of these for sure.

See you all in 2015 for another wonderful IMK instalment and remember