On Thursday when I accidentally knocked the liquidiser off the shelf reaching for the rice cooker and it broke into a gazillion pieces on the floor I thought oops.
A couple of days later I was hurriedly tidying up the kitchen bench when I knocked a glass onto the floor and I thought ‘bugger not again’ and it did cross my mind what would be next. I didn’t have time to ponder on that thought though because what’s been going on In My Kitchen is a lot of cooking and tidying up ahead of leaving Shanghai for the summer and joining the mass exodus of expats out of here.
I was supposed to leave this morning and had already checked in online but I woke up yesterday to a family drama in the UK involving my Dad’s put-out back. I won’t bore you with the details because 24 hours later I’m close to being over it, but the months-in-the-planning family trip back to Poland with my Mum was cancelled by email overnight. Is it only families who can get away with that do you think?!
I’m counting that email as the ‘third’ after the liquidiser and the glass. Nothing like saving the best til last hey?
Flights have been changed and cancelled so In My Kitchen this month until the 16th is most unexpectedly….. me. I’ll spare you the photo.
In My Kitchen……
…is a super organised pantry. Just before I leave for the UK all the flours, nuts and sugars will go into the salad drawers in the fridge because with Rich here on his own there won’t be any fresh veg in there. Along with a bay leaf in each container and a couple of kitchen moth stickies from Bunnings this seems to work to keep moths and other critters out of the kitchen during the summer months.
On the bottom shelf is the vanilla essence from last months post. Thanks to all your suggestions I stop panicking and messing about with it and it’s happily sitting there and getting used. I always do a batch of preserved lemons just before I go away too so I’m not tempted to keep opening them and prodding them. Hmmm I see a pattern here – patience is not in my DNA I have to admit.
In My Kitchen…
…is a freezer full of complete meals for Rich for the 4 weeks he was going to cope on his own for – now he’s going to have to survive for just a week and the irony is he is away this weekend so I’ll be breaking into the containers before he does!!!!
Leftover lamb curry was turned into picnic pies. There’s also his favourite black vinegar pork ribs and rice, braised chicken with preserved lemons & olives and lasagne. There’s also a portion of chicken & cheesy dumplings in there for him. And ice-cream from Marks & Spencers.
In My Kitchen…..
…is my trusty plastic spoon. I think I bought it in a $2 shop and I’m pretty sure it was in my luggage when we moved to Tokyo in 2009. It’s pig ugly and scratched all over and has even melted in places but I use it every single day. I reckon I’ve had my monies worth out of it.
In My Kitchen….
…is a new cleaver. I’ve never had one before and thought I should probably try to get used to one seeing as I live in China. I bought it in Carrefour for about $5. It’s ok – its taking a bit of getting used to for fine chopping. It’s a good job I was on my own in the apartment yesterday the mood I was in…..
In My Kitchen….
….is a chocolate banana bread I threw together yesterday afternoon. I was totally out of sorts so retreated to the kitchen to soothe my brain which was about to explode. It seemed to do the trick 
(someone will tell me why it’s cracked I’m sure – oven too hot maybe?)
In My Kitchen is hosted by Celia over at Fig Lime and Cordial every month. There are up to 50 kitchens around the world to snoop in if you’re that way inclined.
PS Dad will survive – a combination of age and overall unfitness have contributed to him tearing a muscle in his back and he needs to return to Melbourne to rest and recover in his own space. Being overweight hasn’t helped either. He’s going to love reading that!