July 2021 Showcasing In My Kitchen

July 2021 felt like a repeat of July 2020. We were in level 4 lockdown, curfew was 21h00 and we could not buy alcohol. Dave still owes me a bottle of whisky for my birthday as this year Eric did not have bottles hidden away. The booze ban was lifted the day after my birthday which was celebrated with friends. I did a simple lunch at home, nothing fancy, but lots of food!

Sourdough creations July 2021

I only revive my starter when I have a few recipes to get through. And this month, it was like a marathon. I made sourdough croissants which took 3 days, and at the same time I baked a linseed sourdough loaf and sourdough discard crackers.

Recipe Testing

I have been sent an abundance of recipe books to test. This is such a blessing, especially as we are not going out that much. Our restaurants are open, but when curfew is so early, and wine sales are prohibited, we need to find other things to do. And from a blogging perspective, I am sharing my reviews and the recipes on a Wednesday. This month I made chunky Italian soup as well as hand cut noodles which were served as zha jiang mian. We had a large batch of vegetable spring rolls and I used the XO sauce for dipping. Not quite traditional but it is time to be daring!

One sweet treat and something new

I managed one dessert this month! This is not what I made as clearly I did dessert for my party. But there was only one dessert recipe that made it onto the blog and that was my honey gelato.

Lemon Meringues, Honey Gelato, Choc Fudge Ice Cream
Lemon Meringues, Honey Gelato, Choc Fudge Ice Cream

I bought this curry paste when I was in Johannesburg in April. I don’t usually buy a ready made paste but this has proven to be a very good buy. When I am short of time I add a teaspoon of this to some chopped onions. Once I can smell the spices I add the protein and what ever other vegetables I am in the mood for. And that results in a curry in a hurry.

Kashmiri Curry Paste July 2021

July 2021 Showcasing In My Kitchen, is my August submission to the #IMK series, hosted by Sherry. Each month bloggers around the world gather to share what is new in their kitchens. 

Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime August 4:

Please take a look at my post on International Scone Week. I would love you all to take part.
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17 thoughts on “July 2021 Showcasing In My Kitchen

  1. hi tandy
    thanks for joining in with IMK again. such a stalwart. I think you said you have only missed one or two IMKs? Love the sound of your honey gelato; i prefer gelato to ice cream. I can’t get over the alcohol ban in lockdown over there? i think we would all go mad here:) I have been astonished to read on blogs lately that people are travelling overseas. I read an english blogger was doing a road trip in the US and another US blogger was in iceland. how on earth do they get out of the country? we can’t go anywhere. anyway that’s enough of me ranting…. nothing to do with IMK!!
    cheers
    sherry

    1. I have missed one IMK post as far as I recall. I also prefer gelato to ice cream. We are getting used to the ban and most people have learnt to stock up. It is really to prevent people from going out and getting drunk and then getting into accidents, thereby placing stress on the hospitals, which are full of Covid patients. We can also travel and anyone can come here, without having to quarantine. We have to quarantine in some places but I am sure that will be lifted soon as we are getting vaccinated. I cannot see Australia opening anytime soon which is sad for my mom as she has not seen her grandchildren since 2019. And rant away ….

  2. honey gelato sounds wonderful! I am so impressed that you made sourdough croissants, I just did some yesterday and man that lamination is hard (but fun) work, 3 day project is a project of love… I also love hand cut noodles but I rarely make them as I’m just one person at home. The situation with covid all around the world is so interesting, I am curious what is going to happen next… take care

    1. The lamination is hard work, but the results so rewarding. I am sure you enjoyed the fruits of your labour. The Covid situation is so different everywhere that I don’t think we are all having the same experience 🙂

  3. I think July 2021 was the most miserable month of my entire life, Tandy. Freezing cold, level 4 lockdown which might as well have been 5 as with so many vulnerable people in my house we couldn’t even see familly, and dad deathly sick. August is looking much better to date. Oh, and we had the looting and burning.

  4. same here in the northern hemisphere. same same same. and probably still no international traveling into 2022. ugh. but, on the bright side, you have made some lovely food!!! I still need to check out that XO sauce…

  5. I need to try and make vegetable spring rolls. I love them and the local chinese takeaways don’t always have the thim wrappers. Plus homemade is the best!
    Nice job on the croissants.

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