dots . yawns . and the maryland question

We all have different mornings. Different afternoons. Different sleeps, conversations, joys, despairs and friendships. Dots. Yawns and sleep-overs.

And different interpretations of the same dishes across the continents.

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But before we start cooking ordinary dishes in ordinary kitchens; I spent a good part of this week’s free time sorting out travel. I will begin to travel in 6 weeks. USA, Aus, NZ, Aus. My travel organisation follows a similar pattern every time, researching the cheats fates through my favourite airports, checking layover times and transport to and from airports, OKing every step with family and lining up with school holidays and kids vacation dates, and in the end I have a complete hand-written itinerary. There are so many dates and four different airlines and I have not counted the locations yet but I always wrote it out longhand to set it into my brain,

I plan with ‘just in case’ considered at every step. Just in case I lose my phone en route is one consideration. So I stow this hand written itinerary in my cabin bag for that just in case.

I forgot to add just in case war breaks out.

Let’s hope not. I especially hate flying in American aircraft when retaliations are on the table. So, like all of you, I am watching this US/Iran situation closely. Everything is personal. Everything.

And with all this going on - we must carry on. Do you feel the whiplash? Work with it. Keep gardening. Keep cooking. Keep finding local farmers and supporting them. Keep talking. Keep being heard. We are all in this together - no matter the country we are presently sitting in. We are global. You and me. And we will keep walking forward. Looking after each other. Looking out for the more vulnerable amongst us. Keep feeding our families and our friends and caring for our earth. Living a little smaller so our earth can breathe a little bigger.

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A new pot garden.

See this window?

Well it is a lovely sunny window. Right beside the dining room table. (Do you know that dining rooms or even dining areas are fast disappearing from new builds. Sitting round the table with a pot of tea and a scone is just not a thing anymore!) Sad.

Anyway the view from our dining table is dreadful. One boring fence. In the afternoon the sun reflects off the window creating a spot lit area.

So, I am going to create a pot garden there.

Watch this space.

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Chicken Maryland

In Australia, the whole chicken leg quarter is called a Maryland. I am not sure why - but there you are. You go into the butchers and ask for 4 marylands and get these. The skin is critical to this recipe. So make sure to get chicken with skin on. Use whatever fresh herbs are in your garden.

Aussie Chicken Maryland

4 chicken quarters.

125g salted butter.

¼ cup finely chopped thyme.

¼ cup finely chopped rosemary.

3 cloves garlic, minced — add a pinch of rock salt as you crush the garlic with the flat of a knife.

Salt and pepper.

Mix the butter, herbs, garlic and seasonings. Use a spoon to gently separate the chicken skin from the flesh, then stuff the herbed butter under the skin.

Top with more butter and pepper.

Place in a hot skillet (we surrounded them in tiny tomatoes) and cook in the oven on 200C (400F) for 10 minutes then reduce to 180 °C (350°F) for a further 45 minutes.

We served this with mashed potatoes (to soak up those buttery juices) and roasted carrots.

For a great rendition of this recipe pop in to see Nagi.

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A little history/background on this Maryland vs Maryland discussion - straight from Wikipedia. Foods often carry a cultural fusion so it is interesting to see how this dish evolved in different countries.

Australia

In Australia, the term "Chicken Maryland" can simply refer to a butcher's cut for a whole leg consisting of the thigh and drumstick. (The cut we used in the above dinner). It can also refer to a meal of crumbed and deep fried chicken Maryland served with a crumbed banana or pineapple ring (or both) and chips. This latter version being a popular pub meal back in the 1970s, but less so after the turn of the century.

United Kingdom

In some Chinese restaurants in the United Kingdom (particularly in Scotland), Chicken Maryland can be found under the "European" or "British" section of the menu. It consists of a breaded, deep fried chicken breast served with a slice of bacon, a banana or pineapple fritter (or both) and chips.

North America

Chicken Maryland originated in the United States as a regional dish from Maryland, traditionally featuring pan-fried chicken with cream gravy and sometimes served with corn, biscuits, or bananas.

South America

In Argentina (remember Fede?) and in some neighbouring South American countries, Suprema de Pollo Maryland is a pounded thin breast of chicken, breaded and fried, served with creamed corn, peas, bacon (pancetta), French fries and a fried banana (I think I want to try this one! C)

The fried banana is an interesting addition - maybe we will do that next time too

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Pop over to see my friend Mel at Five Spoons - you will remember her from when she remade our old blog The Kitchen’s Garden. She is experimenting with making carrot soup. Rather delightfully; we often talk babies! She has three - hence the Five Spoons!

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Have a gorgeous day! We have sun and a breeze. Just got the gas bill so we are in a state of shock. And considering how to heat with electricity instead. We have solar panels so electricity is considerably cheaper.

Thank you for rolling with my rather erratic publishing schedule now that baby is here. ❤️

As

Hans Jorgensen

will tell you baby and schedule are not words that belong in the same sentence!

Celi

PS My dear paid subscribers - I am getting back to The Secret Garden asap. Quiet time for recording is not a given anymore but I will start narrating this favourite again this week. Sometimes we just have to make things happen instead of waiting for the perfect time! Plus I miss it! I love reading aloud.

PSS the cat - KitKat - killed a toy peacock. Literally stole it off the shelf and ran off with it.

Out of all the little stuffed toys she chose the bird. Thought that would give you a laugh!

I yawn. Baby yawns. When is baby going to drift off into a siesta?! Please go to sleep, I say.

C