December 2019 was a whirlwind of a month. Our friends Rosey and Raymond came to stay with us which was really special. Their daughter Jordy also spent time with us in-between a cooking course she was doing. The first 10 working days of the month flew past and then Dave and I went up to Johannesburg for the long weekend. We came back to work, unpacked the suitcase, and repacked it for a night away. That was followed by more work for Dave, and a lot of household chores for me. Christmas came and went, with a 7 hour lunch on Christmas Day. And precious time with the children on Boxing Day. We bade farewell to Dave’s mum and then ushered in the new year with love in our hearts.
Australian Salt
My friend Kim bought this pack of salt with her when she came to visit. I use a lot of fine salt in my kitchen, but needed to use up the one I had from Italy. This is very salty salt which I need to keep in mind when cooking.
Alcohol Pourer
I bought this alcohol pourer without reading the back of the packaging. It can only be used for alcohol, which was not my intended use. I made my ‘own’ gin in December 2019 by taking half a bottle of lemon gin I did not like as it had too strong an alcohol smell. Added that to a bottle of limoncello that did not taste of lemons. Topped it up with a bottle of plain gin and 2 generous handfuls of frozen blueberries. When the blueberries defrosted I muddled them, and then left the gin to steep for 1 week. Each day I gave it a good swirl and at the end I passed the blueberry and lemon gin through a chinois. The whisky pourer is now on the bottle, pouring a perfect tot each time.
Winter Berry Gin
The idea of my own gin came from my cousin and her husband. They made winter berry gin while we were there. And sent us home with a bottle. I love how you can make something unique to enjoy and will keep on doing this.
Bart Very Spicy
Our November trip was very unusual in that I did not take any cooking things with us. This was due to a lack of volume in our cases. I bought this Moroccan Style Salt for bruschetta, and it is really spicy. In fact, had I known that there would have been no need to buy chilli flakes as well!
Creations out of my kitchen in December 2019
This is my January 2020 submission to the #IMK series, hosted by Sherry. Each month bloggers around the world gather to share what is new in their kitchens. Pop on over to her blog to take a peek.
Wishing everyone an amazing 2020 – may it hold all that you need. I am still offline for a few days.
Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime January 1:
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- 2018 – Tomato And Smoked Olive Focaccia
- 2017 – Into The Fire
- 2015 – Basmati Rice Salad
- 2014 – January 2014 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2012 – January 2012 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Fun stuff! I love seasonings and salts these days. I used to be such a “purist” and only use individual herbs and spices. Now I embrace all mixtures and love flavored salts. I was gifted a pinot noir salt that I’m going to use on a prime rib today. Happy New Year!
Enjoy the salt. I have tried a wine salt and really loved it.
The drink sounded ingenious! Can you believe NO cooking this Christmas! That certainly ages us. Middle son did the honours this year! And very nice it was too. A good friend also made a luscious fruit cake. We were spoiled! Here’s wishing you a healthy, happy New year, Tandy and Dave. Cheers! xx
And all the best for you and your family Joy 🙂
a seven hour lunch – that sounds like a lot of fun!
It was!
hahaha that’s why I don’t use a tot pourer.. 😉
Ha ha 😂
All your creations look delicious — with all those trips it’s hard to see how you did so many of them!
best wishes for the New Year from mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I am usually a month in advance with cooking and blogging, but last month I baked and blogged as I went along 🙂
Happy New Year Tandy! I agree, December was a whirlwind month. I honestly don’t think I could wrap another present if I had too =) That Australian salt looks amazing! I’ll have to see if I can buy online. Lots of experimentation going on in the kitchen here.
Your wrapping is far more extensive then mine was, I’m sure 😊
Ooh Australian salt! I always forget when I use fine salt that it is so much saltier and sometimes oversalt as I usually use ground pink or flakes.
It’s amazing how different they all are.
I’ve never heard of an alcohol pourer or Winter Berry Gin.
The pourer is usually found in bars 🙂 Thanks for the visit!
You would think all the yummy desserts would be the ones to catch my eye, but NO!!! I want that fish finger sandwich!
I totally understand why! Thanks for the visit Jinjer 🙂
Have a wonderful 2020 Tandy. Love the sound of that berry gin and a treat that it is home brewed 🙂
And it is the perfect weather here for it 🙂
Hi tandy
Sounds like you had a fabulous busy time of it. I love your unique gin! I made Irish cream liqueur as i do every Christmas 🎄 it’s a bit irresistible:). Thanks so much for joining in Imk this month. So busy for everyone. And so much fun! Happy new year to you and yours. Cheers
Sherry
And the same to you!