After my last post, I’m sure you know that the most important things in my kitchen are John and Charlie. My best friends. I promised photos of my swimmy dog so here he is.
Okay, maybe Charlie is farther down the list than #2. He’s been in the dog house this week. First he got in the garbage. I got it all cleaned up and went back to the hospital to visit John. When I got home he’d done it again. I was WAY less than amused. Two garbage pickups and two dog baths after being stressed and I yelled at him. Poor little thing was heartbroken. The look I got made me feel like I’d cut his heart out while he watched. I figured he was confused because things have been weird around here. He doesn’t stay alone often. If Charlie can go with us, he goes.
When I arrived home from picking John up at the hospital yesterday, no Charlie at the door. Odd. I yelled. No Charlie. I knew he was in the house because I said good-bye when I left and the door was locked. “Chaaaarlieeeee!!!”
He slowly walked in and saw John and walked over to him and looked up and that was it. “Don’t you remember, Daddy?” I said.
When I saw “the look”, I didn’t have to see any other bits to know he was having trouble walking.
“Did you hump Lucy (the cat) AGAIN??”
He looked down. ‘Things’ were all settled down in about 20 minutes and then he was thrilled to have John home.
For Christmas I received these beautiful Swarovski crystal earrings hand made by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Celia’s the one who started the popular In My Kitchen monthly posts where folks like you and me can share what’s going on in our world. I do wear these in my kitchen – and elsewhere.
In my kitchen is something I’ve been wanting for ages. When I was 17 I used a cream whipper at the ice cream shop I worked at and I’ve wanted one ever since. So I ordered one for myself for Christmas. (It’s the best way to ensure you get what you want.)
Add cream, a little icing sugar, some vanilla and put the cover on. Then you screw on one NO2 capsule and shake 3-4 times and it’s whipped cream. The cream stays good (lying on its side in the fridge) for up to 10 days. This gadget can make espuma (foam) too and I know you all hate foam but I might try it anyway. Just because I can.
Also in my kitchen was this really good dinner. I had this idea for a savoury cherry sauce. There are lots of recipes for cherry chutney or sweet cherry sauce but I didn’t find any inspiration for a savoury sauce. I did wonder if that was because it was crap but I had some pork steaks and gave it a try.
I thought I’d get it done while John was in the hospital but there’s no way to cook much when you make 4 trips to the hospital in one day. It was okay because we both loved it. I also made some roasted potatoes with seasoning salt and paprika, some fried corn and some steamed broccoli.
The sauce is made with cherries (pitted obviously), sherry and a bit of balsamic vinegar. There’s also some thyme, rosemary and just a bit of black pepper. At the end I tossed in a (small) pat of butter to make the sauce nice and shiny.
When I lived in Tennessee, I learned to make fried corn. That’s “frahd corn”, thank you very much and it’s SO good. It only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Put a small bit of butter in a skillet at medium heat and while that’s heating up, cut the kernels and scrape the cobs. When the butter sizzles, put the corn in, stir it around, add salt and pepper and it’s done. It only takes a minute or so of cooking. It’s our last butter, I promise.
- 2 French shallots finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cups fresh pitted cherries
- ⅔ cup sherry (I used sweet sherry)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (could use a sprig of fresh and pull out the stem when done)
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Sauté French shallots in the olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Cook until the shallots are translucent.
- Add the sherry and deglaze the pan.
- Add the cherries, balsamic vinegar, thyme and rosemary and bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat and cook until the cherries are soft and the sauce has reduced.
- Taste and add salt and pepper.
- Add the butter and once melted, stir into the sauce.
- Serve with pork (or just off the spoon. )
If you’d like to join in the In My Kitchen fun and share YOUR kitchen, just do it. Link to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and she’ll link to you. Easy Peasy.
See you next month with a new In My Kitchen.
This cherry sauce, it will be great with a try of cheesse !
your dog is amazing ! Love the Swarovski crystal earrings !
LOVE the pics and video of Charlie. He’s such a sweet doggie. The cherry sauce sounds delicious. And that corn, living here in Alabama, USA I am well accustomed to “frahd” corn and there is nothing like it. Best wishes to you and John.
Debbie!! LOL I just KNEW someone from the South would see mah frahd corn. 🙂 I don’t talk Southern but I could get right back into it after about 10 minutes. (Same thing with going back to Maine, ayuh.)
Im happy John is at home again!
I love the cherry sauce!
Have a nice day:)
Yes, I would like to see and hear more about your dirty dog.
He’s not dirty now. No getting in the garbage and he’s already been swimming and it’s not yet 9am. He invited himself through the dog-sized crack in the fence between the patio, rock wall and pool. 🙂
Everything looks divine and the good news about John is fantastic! But the corn….oh the corn is divine squared! Poor Charlie. Change is hard on all creatures great and small. Don’t forget to take care of you during this time. #Hugs
I’m so happy that John is back home and things are back to “normal”. I really do love these “In my Kitchen” series and will get with it this year for sure. I love the cherry sauce, it’s such a gorgeous colour.
It is no doubt our pups know when something isn’t right. Their anxiety overwhelms them sometimes and they don’t act like themselves. It’s sweet and annoying all at the same time. 🙂 Lovely earrings, perfect for wearing in the kitchen or anywhere. Frankly, I’m amazed you had time to get this post done, but it was probably just the distraction you needed. Glad to hear you are all in one place and you’re done running back and forth to the hospital. All the best.
Poor Charlie… So glad you are all back at home and together as one!
Love, love, love the last pic of Charlie leaping towards the ball in the pool. The last butter, ever? All things in moderation, Kiddo.
I’m prone to exagerration, Cheryl. 🙂
I am trying hard to perfect the “frahd” but I think it’s coming more like “frawd” – need to try harder
cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the video and the last photo which is UNREAL, perfect maaaahvelous!
Great to see you in the kitchen surrounded by the ones you love!
forgot to say, LUCKY WOMAN YOU! Those earrings are gorgeous, and of course, Celia leaves me in awe of all her skills….
next life, I am going to be born and raised in Australia.
Oh Charlie. Oh John. Oh cherries. Oh my. I like what is in your kitchen. Take care, Maureen.
So pleased to see your post this morning Maureen and to hear things are on the improve – love to all three of you xxx
I’m glad things are back to normal with Charlie now that John is back home. No more humping the cat. 🙂
The earrings are very pretty as is your cream whipper. I remember my dad had one of those canisters for making fizzy water 40 plus years ago. I think I ran across an expended NO2 canister some time back. I’ve never heard of fried corn but the cherry chutney is lovely.
Love the cherry sauce. So nice John is back home, I’ve been at the hospital at lot myself with my mom. The earrings are beautiful.
Love the cherry sauce. Boy howdy do I understand your dog’s reaction to being yelled at. My dogs are the same way.
Hence I don’t do it anymore. I feel worse than they do. Yes, John and the dog are THE most important parts of your kitchen.
Congrats on the whipped cream apparatus. I am smiling here.
Charlie doesn’t get yelled at. He’s a dog, doing the best he can. But he’s smart enough not to go in the garbage. This is the first time in 5 years that he’s done it. So it was a cry for attention. 🙂 He got more than he bargained for. LOL
What is it with dogs and garbage! I’m sure they must think we’re the most wasteful creatures on earth and that we toss the best of everything into the garbage. The poor cat! We have matching earrings! I love the sound of your cherry sauce and it would be perfect with pork or chicken. Must try your fryd corn xx
Poor Charlie… daddy is in hospital, so he does naughty things as a way of acting out. Glad that John is home now and all is well. That cream whipper…. awesome, I want one now. Truth is, if I buy one more thing we’ll have to get a bigger house, but I want a cream whipper! You must tell me where you found it, please love. When I was at Tasting Australia many, many years ago, we watched Ferran Adria and his team do the most amazing things with those gadgets… I’d like to play a little too. And as for your cherry sauce, yum!
I bought it online from finewhip.com.au. I bought 4 boxes of cartridges for under $25 and each recipe only takes 1 cartridge because I bought the small 1/2 litre. With just two of us, a litre is too much. Now I want a litre size for entertaining. 🙂 Espuma here I come.
Mmm, yummy cherry sauce! I’m sad for you about the end of the butter, but given the circumstances I guess there’s no choice. I’m so glad that John is home and well and I look forward to lots of salad recipes.
I won’t cut it out completely but for all intents and purposes, it’s gone. Sad. I love butter as anyone who sees me can tell. 🙂
Glad to hear everyone ‘s home safe and well Maureen! Your sauce and corn look yummy indeed. My girls and I received some of Celia’s earrings too – aren’t they gorgeous! What a naughty boy your doggy has been, it does sound like he was missing his daddy 🙂 x
This sounds delicious Maureen and I’m so happy that everything is okay with John. Please send him my best. xoxo
Love the video of Charlie. More, more, we want more! 🙂 Very cool that you got one of those cream whippers. I’ve been thinking I should get one forever, so I probably should just do it, don’t you think? I think so. 🙂 Good stuff in your kitchen this month — thanks.
I was actually going to ask what the new “rules” around the house are going to be regarding cream, butter and all things delicious…..Charlie and Dozer are going to get along brilliantly. I’m emailing you a photo of him doing something very similar…..
And I love that cherry sauce! You had me at “savoury”…..
We’re going to live as humans but be sensible. So far we’ve been very good. 🙂
Lucky gal in so many ways! I’m glad John is on the mend, what a big scare for you and your pup!! Those earrings are so pretty! There are so many outfits you could wear with those. I love visiting your kitchen, now a little jar of that Cherry Sauce would look nice here as well.. might have to make me some:)
What a relief to see that things are mostly back to normal in your house! All of you deserve to sit back and relax after all the stress the past few days. Lovely earrings, video, and cherries! Having that cream whipper will get you into all sorts of good trouble too. Wishing all of you good days ahead.
Your dog swimming is adorable! The cherries sound delicious and your earrings are lovely!
Love the earrings and the cherry sauce and the cat-humping dog. But mostly I love that John is home! Yay! xo
Your best friends are undoubtedly the best part of your kitchen. Xo
I’ve wanted a whipped cream maker ever since I worked at Starbucks 9 years ago! I don’t know why in the world I haven’t gotten one yet. How much whipped cream can one NO2 capsule make?
And fried corn – yum!!
I can’t remember. I know it’s enough cream to top 8 desserts in one go. 🙂
I saw your Facebook post, thank goodness John is ok! Sit back and relax, enjoying the spoils of your kitchen – you certainly deserve it my friend!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a cute video! I wish my pooch loved the water as much as Charlie does.
Ooh I’ve always wanted one of those cream siphons! It sounds like loads of fun. Can’t wait to see what you do with the foam! 😀
Oh Maureen thank goodness your best bud is home. What beautiful bright colours you have in your foodie kitchen. i dont hate foam go on make some…… I can’t believe that last picture of Charlie what a beauty. they always get up to naughty things when their routine changes don’t they. That unbelievably patient long suffering cat must be some kind of angel ( or a bit of a tart?)
The cat wasn’t socialised as a kitten so she’s afraid of just about everyone. Charlie is her only friend. She’ll let us pat her and rub her belly but we can’t pick her up.
Love, love,love that last photo of Charlie. And I had read on FB that your husband was home but very glad to see more of the story here. I made a cherry and balsamic sauce for lamb over the holidays. With a dollop of goat cheese on top of the lamb chop it was fabulous. I don’t think I knew there was a machine for whipped cream … enjoy!
I love cherry anything, and this sauce sounds delicious. And so does fried corn 🙂
Maureen, how wonderful that John is home with you now! Your dog is so darn cute; I know he misbehaves sometimes:-) My little daughter Hannah is sitting on my lap as I write, she loved the little video of Charlie!
Lovely Cherry sauce, btw.
As a rule I don’t care for sweet meat, but for some reason I love cherries in sauce – especially with duck. I’ve never tried it with chicken, but now I’m going to!
I’m so glad that John is home, Maureen. And that Charlie is quite a character (you had me laughing out loud with him limping from trying to hump the cat).
Oooh that cherry sauce sounds divine!!! Wow so much has been happening in your busy kitchen!!
So glad John is home safe and sound. Your pup is adorable! I have two jack russells and if they don’t get some exercise soon they’re going to make me nuts! Praying for a speeding recovery 🙂
very glad to hear john is back home safely. what a scare for you all. yes clearly charlie was pining and asking for attention. great cherry sauce. my cherry relish is fairly sweet with the orange juice and brown sugar so i think this one looks like a nice change. have a great year. xx
I’m so glad your boys are home safe and sound with you. XOXO Your cherry sauce sounds absolutely fantastic. 🙂
Poor little Charlie just knew there was something that had gone off course this week. Our little furry friends always know. He seems to be back to his old self with both of you back home again. Your cherry sauce sounds and looks amazing. I can’t wait to try that with grilled pork tenderloin. That sweet little Celia is a so crafty and I love the earrings she made you. I hope things are heading back to a bit of normalcy for you guys this week and sending some positive thoughts your way.
Bahaha… “Did you hump Lucy (the cat) AGAIN??” LOL LOL LOL… That’s so funny, Maureen. 🙂
Great news John is back home, and that life is/has returned to normal.
WOW, your kitchen has much goodness in it, love your cream whipper, I had to leave mine in a kitchen I worked at after eating straight from the creamer, it was my go to midnight snack. Very – Not Cool! 🙂
LOL you might be my hero but you are still very human. I like that about you. 🙂
Charlie is adorbs! Your cherry sauce sounds delicious as does the corn. Glad to read that John is back. Best to you all.
Charlie looks like he’s having the best time and I love your savory twist on cherry sauce!
Maureen, I read your post on my phone just after you posted it and have been meaning to get back and comment. So happy John is home and all is well. Best wishes to him. You know I love your Charlie no matter what he does. My Jules, for some unknown reason loves to hump very big dogs. He wears himself out and the big dogs just give him an amused “What ya doin’ kid?” look. It is hilarious. Most time he barely gets to the big dog’s knees. Sometimes he has to do running jumps to even get that high.
LOL We’ve been told it’s far less sexual and way more about dominance. Probably the reason he gets the wrong end sometimes. 🙂
Charlie humps the cat? I don’t know whether to roar with laughter or call the RSPCA.. 😉
I’m so glad John’s home, it’s been a tough couple of weeks for you. Thank you for squeezing an IMK post in for us. I love the idea of fried corn and I’m relieved the earrings finally made it to you! Much love, take it easy, both of you xxx
She loves Charlie and doesn’t object one little bit. Then when he’s done she rubs her head under his chin. Nuts!
Gosh, so much to say: I am so happy John is home; I have always loved your dog; I got the torch for Hanukkah but I also wanted the siphon (lucky you); the earrings are gorgeous!!! and oooh I am so happy you shared the recipe for this fantastic-looking cherry sauce because I really have wanted a recipe to make it for years. Perfect.
I have lived in a South Carolina for 17 years now and have never heard of fried corn. Leave it to and IMK post to reach me about food in the South!
So happy that John is fine.
I can’t get over how adorable Charlie is.
The food looks delicious. I need the cream whipper in my life, will find one asap.
Take care.
I am happy to hear John is home again and that cheeky rascal Charlie is so cute 😀 I love that cream whipper of yours it is now on my wish list for next Christmas. Love the idea of that savoury cherry sauce.
That cherry sauce looks good, I bet it would taste great on grilled meats
Yay! John is back…Swarovski earrings sparkling back at you in the mirror, and whipped cream canister in hand, looks like all is truly well…And pets and people are reunited =) Looks like the cherry sauce is good news, too!
Naughty Charlie! Though I can understand he may be a bit discombobulated. I actually bought three fresh sobs of corn on the weekend so this sounds like just the ticket. Glad to see that some level of normality has returned to your kitchen and you life and that John is on the mend. All the best. Fiona
I love fried corn and make it often, but with olive oil not butter. Usually also with a bit of red onion, cumin and chilli flakes. Your cream canister sent me back to when I worked in a restaurant in 1992 – it was the bane of my workday. I had many unexpected explosions of cream! Happy 2015 to you all xx
Explosions? None yet. 🙂 I like the olive oil, red onion, cumin and chili flakes. I’m going to try that!
I am all for the earrings, the gadget and of course the food. I never thought of making a savory cherry sauce, I like the look of it and yes I want it with roasted pork. I gotta try your way of enjoying corn and I will try adding some masala too for my boy’s portion.
Guilty charlie XD
The sauce looks really good and I’m going to have to look into getting a cream whipper.
So glad to see John is home and recuperating! The cherry sauce sounds just wonderful, especially with pork!
what a cutie that charlie is! glad to hear John is back home. and i love the savoury cherry sauce. i made a cherry relish for xmas but it was a bit sweeter i would say as it had orange juice and brown sugar. gorgeous ear rings. how clever is celia!
Charlie just came in from taking himself swimming. He looks like a drowned rat and shook his pool water on my legs. Not a fan at the moment. 🙂
Love the video of Charlie, what a fun chap! Hope John is doing well!
I LOOOOOOVE Corn and who cares about butter :)… and I just pick my first cob of corn yesterday… so perfect timing 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Liz x
I can see that Charlie gives you two lots and lots of joy!!! What a cutie! That Cherry Sauce is over the top Maureen! I can come up with so many ways to enjoy it!
Think someone may have had his nose out of joint? And people say animals don’t pick up on our emotions, pfffft!
Love the earrings and if we used cream more than once a year at Christmas I could have some fun with that. In fact I reckon it might be worth a peek. For years now I just have had a little black pepper on my corn and I gotten very partial to it as long as the corn is juicy and not wall paper glue. Glad things seem to have settled down for you, that’s always nice.