On the 26th of March 2021 we had been in lockdown for exactly one year. The year has not been experienced the same way by everyone. And I am extremely aware of just how blessed I am. I have said this over and over again but want to say so again. I am blessed that we have kept up with the mortgage payments on our house. Especially now as we can see the light at the end of that tunnel. I am grateful to not only have kept the business going, but to have seen growth. Hopefully that will continue. Whereas we might not have travelled overseas since November 2019, we managed some time away during the year to travel locally. Lots of cooking and baking took place in my kitchen during hard lockdown and now I am really doing it for pleasure.
Sweet treats in my kitchen March 2021
I made blueberry cheesecake pancakes on a few occasions as they are so easy to whip up. There was a batch of coconut biscuits so that I could make a peppermint caramel tart. And last but not least I baked an orange olive oil cake which has had some interesting comments across various social media platforms.
On the savoury side
Soup was the order of the day with two recipes, one for a green bean soup and the other for courgette soup. No month seems complete without at least one bread recipe, and this month there were two. I made a pumpkin seed loaf and several batches of buttermilk flatbreads. I tested the recipe for avocado hollandaise from Jamie Oliver’s recipe book Veg, and it received a thumbs up from everyone. Wanting some comfort food I made potatoes boulangère from my favourite Chef’s recipe book, From Nature To Plate.
One new thing in my kitchen in March 2021
This is not really new, but the first time I have used it! In 2019 my parents sent me some Asian pantry ingredients. I made a stir fry a few weeks ago (not blogged or photographed) and decided to open the black bean sauce. It is so good and I might have to create a recipe to make my own when the bottle is finished. I added it right at the end of the cooking process with some sesame seed oil and soy sauce.
This is my April 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 April 7:
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- 2019: The House Next Door
- 2017: Quick Pickled Courgettes
- 2016: Charoset
- 2014: Ice Tea
- 2013: Calculated In Death
- 2012: Food Quiz Number 15 For A Friday
- 2011: Stormsvlei Farm Stall and Restaurant
Thanks again Tandy. Always interesting to read and drool over… Take care. x
Thank you for the visit Joy 🙂
I’m so glad you’ve survived this last year, physically, mentally, as well as financially. It’s interesting that you mention you’re cooking more for pleasure. That’s really wonderful! That’s actually the reason I started the blog in 2012, because I was tired of only cooking for my husband, and I missed “my” food! I don’t know if they’re the same, but I always loved when my mother used fermented black bean sauce, even as a kid. I’ve been inspired by Roy choi to do more Korean cooking, and I’ve recently purchased bean sauce. Probably not the same, but both good!
For so long as I was cooking just to get recipes for the blog. Now that I have so many ready to go, I can concentrate on complicated recipes which give me so much more pleasure.
you have lots of tasty dishes there tandy. we just had a 2.5 day lockdown last week. that was enough:) We have been incredibly lucky here in australia. well maybe not so much in victoria but queensland has been so very lucky. we are wearing masks for a second week but i guess we will survive that easily. thanks for joining us again for IMK. I do like the sound of avocado hollandaise! we are actually going away for hubby’s birthday next weekend. ’twill be nice to get out of town:)
take care
sherry
Enjoy your time away.
Trying Asian condiments and sauces is really fun. I find that they really help achieve the flavors that are characteristic of various cuisines of Asia, like fish sauce for Vietnamese recipes and gochuchang for Korean recipes. I have tried various black bean sauces, but not one that looks like yours.
be safe… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I have another one in my pantry so the difference in taste will be interesting.
I’m happy to hear that you have survived this past year and that your business actually grew. I wish you continued success…
Thank you Jim
Such a great collection of recipes! I’ll definitely have to try those blueberry cheesecake pancakes.
Hope you enjoy them!
I’m happy for you that your business has kept going this past year. It has certainly been a very long and difficult year for so many folks. We also have been on some version of lockdown for over a year but, having been finally fully vaccinated, I feel more hopeful. Wonderful to read your blog.
That is amazing that you have been vaccinated. I am waiting for our registrations to open this week 🙂
A review like this really does help show that there were at least some positives during the pandemic. I myself am more organized in my cooking and shopping. And I’d love it if you figured out how to make the bean sauce!
If I do I will share the recipe for sure 🙂