I still have one spot in the blogging workshop and a few spots in the writers' group. Full details are here: https://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2019/06/new-online-workshops.html Let me know if you're thinking of joining us. Bookings close at the end of the week.
I've had a few people in the UK interested in joining the group but the Skype sessions we have now take place at 2am UK time. So if there is enough interest, I'm happy to arrange a UK and Europe set of workshops that would start at 9am, Saturday and Sunday, UK time. They would be the same workshops in the link above. Let me know if you're interested.
It rained most of yesterday and with the heater on, Hanno and Gracie watching TV, it was a good time to cook and clean. I deep cleaned the kitchen sink and benches, baked bread, prepared apples for an apple cake to be baked today, sliced and salted cucumbers to be pickled today and made a hot beef and vegetable curry to go in the slow cooker overnight. That will feed Hanno, Jamie and I at lunchtime today, and Kerry, Jamie and Jen (Sunny's cousin who is staying with them) for their dinner tonight. Kerry will work all day today so as he has to come over to pick up Jamie, it's always a good time to make an extra meal so he can take that home and relax without the extra work.
I've had a few people in the UK interested in joining the group but the Skype sessions we have now take place at 2am UK time. So if there is enough interest, I'm happy to arrange a UK and Europe set of workshops that would start at 9am, Saturday and Sunday, UK time. They would be the same workshops in the link above. Let me know if you're interested.
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We had KFC for lunch yesterday.
We had KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) with potato salad and pickled cucumbers for lunch yesterday. This is based on Sunny's recipe but it's not as hot as hers. KFC is really popular in Korea. Kerry told me that every time they go there, the first meal they have is always KFC. I can see why, it's delicious and very easy to make. The recipe is in the comments on my Instagram page. See below.
I did some washing yesterday: wool jumpers and white T shirts, I looked at the fridge about 10 times thinking of cleaning and organising it but didn't get around to it. Maybe that will happen today. I've been fairly busy with this and that in the kitchen lately and the fridge is suffering because of it.
One of those kitchen tasks was drying and turning about 50 or 60 red cayenne chillies into chilli flakes. The little container of flakes is now sitting near the stove, with the salt and pepper, so I can add a pinch to the food that would benefit from it. I made mushroom and herb omelettes the other day and a pinch of chilli flakes elevated a somewhat drab omelette into something very tasty.
Don't have a little processor? You could pulverise the dried chillies with a mortar and pestle.
It feels good to make a few things like this. Those chillies out the back are producing like there is no tomorrow, and I have about a kilo in the freezer, so I'm sure there will be more chilli projects in the near future. Hmmm, maybe some jars of chilli jam for gift giving later in the year.
In the coming week I hope to do some work in the garden and bush house. The oranges are almost ready to pick - and that's an event both Hanno and I love, and we have potatoes to plant, tomatoes to stake, net to put over the strawberries hanging under the garden arch and a few plants to pot. If I have the energy, I'll set up the table and garden benches under the sun umbrella. One of the benches rotted and after about 25 years of service, we sent it to the dump. We have another bench on the front verandah so we'll just load that onto our trolley and take it out the back. All small, slow steps with plenty of breaks to sit and appreciate what we have here.
What will you be doing in the coming week?
ADDED LATER:
KFC RECIPE
In the coming week I hope to do some work in the garden and bush house. The oranges are almost ready to pick - and that's an event both Hanno and I love, and we have potatoes to plant, tomatoes to stake, net to put over the strawberries hanging under the garden arch and a few plants to pot. If I have the energy, I'll set up the table and garden benches under the sun umbrella. One of the benches rotted and after about 25 years of service, we sent it to the dump. We have another bench on the front verandah so we'll just load that onto our trolley and take it out the back. All small, slow steps with plenty of breaks to sit and appreciate what we have here.
What will you be doing in the coming week?
ADDED LATER:
KFC RECIPE
I use free range chicken thighs which I cover with buttermilk and let sit for at least six hours, or overnight. When you're ready to cook (I don't have a deep fryer) I get a small stainless steel frying pan and quarter fill it with oil, and heat to 170 - 180C. While the oil is heating, in a bowl, make up one cup plain flour, one teaspoon baking powder (not bicarb), ½ teaspoon chilli powder (optional), ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder - and mix it together.
When the oil is ready, take the chicken out of the butter milk and coat thoroughly in the flour mix and place carefully in the oil. Fry until it's golden brown for about 10-12 minutes. I serve it with potato salad, pickled cucumbers and chilli jam.
I really like your homemade food that does not look like cookie-cutter food from a factory.
ReplyDeleteIt's winter here in Canberra, and we are just back from a walk in the sunshine. I've got a tree full of lemons, so I'll start with a batch of lemon curd this afternoon, in between making a big pot of baked beans with rum and molasses.
ReplyDeleteI've got washing on, to hang out in the sun, and I want to try the first jar of my Israeli pickles with leftover frittata for lunch. I haven't made bread for ages ...
Is this the Jenny I know in Canberra? It sounds like it with those preserves on the go. If so, it's good to see you here again, Jenny. I hope all is well with you and your family.
DeleteYes, it's me Rhonda. All good here thank you.
DeleteSounds like a lovely day and your bread looks great and the KFC...yum... Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find the KFC recipe...which Instagram post is it on.
ReplyDeleteIt was on yesterday's comments, Kathy. Here it is: I use free range chicken thighs which I cover with buttermilk and let sit for at least six hours, or overnight. When you're ready to cook (I don't have a deep fryer) I get a small stainless steel frying pan and quarter fill it with oil, and heat to 170 - 180C. While the oil is heating, in a bowl make up one cup plain flour, one teaspoon baking powder (not bicarb), ½ teaspoon chilli powder (optional), ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder - and mix it together. When the oil is ready, take the chicken out of the butter milk and coat thoroughly in the flour mix and place carefully in the oil. Fry until it's golden brown for about 10-12 minutes. I serve it with potato salad, pickled cucumbers and chilli jam.
DeleteThanks Rhonda...making your white bread loaf right now and we are having minestrone soup for dinner...just wondering about the timing. 220 for the first 10 minutes then down to 190 and check bread when it's been in for 35-40 minutes. Is the 35-40 minutes after it's been turned down to 190 or is that total cooking time including the first 10 minutes. Kathy A, Brisbane
DeleteIt really depends on your oven Kathy. Most ovens are different. Smell is a good indicator. When it smells like baked bread, check it and if it's been in between 30 - 40 minutes and it's golden, it's probably done. The 35 - 40 is total time.
DeleteThat chicken sound so yummy. I'm going to make it soon.
ReplyDeleteI love your chilli flakes. A pinch can lighten up a dish so quickly. Thanks for sharing your day to day activities.
Those chilliflakes are a must-try, and you chilli jam. Almost time for our yearly strawberry jam-making. Every July we make homemade,strawberry jam for the next year. Pam
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of your KFC with potato salad, I’ve put it on my next menu plan. Thank you for sharing - I’m trying to add new recipes into our rotation but like them to be fairly simple.
ReplyDeleteWinter definitely arrived this week & I was unwell with it so this coming week will involve a fair bit of catching up. I’m also going to cook some extra meals for the freezer as backup (I’ve started cooking a double portion & freezing half).
I’ve started my sewing project for my home while I’ve been unwell & will continue on it this week as well.
Melissa.
KFC in the US is Kentucky Fried Chicken so that is what I thought at first. I do mine very much the same except I melt a few tablespoons butter in a baking pan and bake it skin side down at 425 degrees for 35 minute and then turn and bake another 15 minutes. Line your pan with foil to avoid a big clean up. Once I tried this oven method there was no turning back! It is crispy and delicious and hands off cooking which I really like these days.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice of you. I need to do some deep cleaning here, too. I think I will mop the floors. You are always so busy and productive. That chicken recipe sounds amazing. Thanks for posting it. I am picking more apricots from the backyard orchard today. They are so delicious when tree ripened.
ReplyDeleteRhonda are you willing to share your apple cake recipe? I just love cake with fruit in it. You have inspired me to give my own kitchen a deep clean too. I have to re-arrange my cupboards anyway to fit in my new slow cooker. The old smaller one one finally died and yesterday I found one at a very good price in Big W. I love end of financial year sales for finding good bargains!
ReplyDeleteSure! I always use the butter cake recipe from Buena Vista Farm and add apples to it. The recipe is here: https://buenavistafarm.com.au/simple-butter-cake-recipe/ I peel Granny Smith apples 4 or 5 depending on size, chop them into small chunks and add them to the batter. I bake it in a 21cm springform pan for about 50 minutes. When the cake is almost ready, you can smell it baking so when you smell it, check to see if it's golden. Check with a toothpick (the apples release moisture into the cake and you need to check the middle) and if it comes out clean, it's ready. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then release the springform and allow it to cool.
DeleteIt been a while since I been to KFC. Not all that found of there chicken, but didn't know they offered Korea style.
ReplyDeleteBut I do like there cole slaw.
Coffee is on
It's not Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dora, it's Korean Fried Chicken that I made at home.
DeleteLove the lopsided loaf, it makes it all so real. I would have terrible problems with those chilly flakes as I tend to be heavy handed, lol. That food processor is the perfect size that we are looking for and I am looking for sales or a used one.
ReplyDeleteWell Rhonda, I have just made your KFC for dinner here - a big hit with everyone (there are eight people to satisfy - it's not often I find something that everyone will eat!). Thank you for posting the recipe, it was surprisingly easy. And I think I will try Lana's suggestions too - I also like "hands off" cooking.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Anna. I'm glad it worked for your family.
DeleteThanks for the KFC recipe Rhonda. I'm going to have a go cooking it in my new Airfryer
ReplyDelete