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Catherine's Kitchen

Catherine Manning

HAPPY 2003

And I mean that; nothing more can happen I hope, but you can never tell.

I jest when I say that, as my niece-in-law to be, Melissa, (daughter-in-law-to- be of my brother and the sister-in-law who fell over the carpet and broke her ankle) mistook her step when walking in the fields at the Boxing Day party. I was told that she had a little rum punch! She broke bones in her foot and is also on crutches, just hope that come February 8th when she is to walk up the aisle, all will be well. Her Dad is a doctor so hope he's got it all organized!

I had the Xmas Day party and there was a good turnout and after everything that occurred, it was a good and peaceful day; in fact everyone remarked that it was the best Xmas day in a long time. I had everything so organized, the turkey was in the oven and ready to carve and everything was "gung ho."

Then one of my dogs (Beryl) decided it was time to go and by the time I got her to the vet, it was too late. Her heart just gave out and she died in my arms, so I brought her back home bawling my head off. By then the family were here. They had taken over with the carving and the kitchen etc. and they helped me bury her, which I was glad for, as the last one I had to do on my own. My dogs are getting old now and that is not good as they are "my everything." It's becoming a burial ground here, so far three of my old dogs have died and one cat. Eight dogs and three cats still to go!

After that everyone was cheering me up; things went well, food was plentiful and good. My mother and sister spent the night and next day we went to my brother's Boxing Day garlic pork party. After that it was continuous round of dinners and lunches and breakfast.

Friday I had thirteen to lunch, all my girl cousins and their mothers, my sisters and Ma. On Sunday was lunch at my sister's for the family to vet (!) my nephew's new girlfriend. She passed muster, unlike the first one that he married and divorced seven months later! Then dinner the next night with a cousin, and I finished off with having eight for breakfast on New Year's morning. I figure I've done my entertaining for the year.

Anyway this is late, so I should stop rambling and get it to Margaret.
 

GARLIC PORK for garlic lovers only! This really can't be considered a cheap dish, as even though I get my pork from the market, which is a lot cheaper than the supermarket, so much is lost weight-wise in the preparation and cooking, that it makes it expensive. To end up with 2 lbs of cooked pork, I had to start with... 7 lbs. pork leg 4 pints white vinegar, approximately. The pork must be completely covered. 2 tsp. salt to 1 pint of vinegar 3/4 lb. or more of garlic peeled and chopped coarsely. I used nearly a pound. Hot pepper to taste, chopped 1 bunch thyme 4-6 cloves Remove bone and skin from pork, keeping some fat, if possible, as this helps with the frying. Cut pork into pieces about 1-1/2 inches square, not too small as it shrinks. Wash pork well in several solutions of vinegar and water to remove any blood left in the meat. This is important as the blood will cause it to go bad. I wash it till the water is clear and not pinky. Using two clean forks or tongs, layer pork into clean wide-necked jars with the garlic, pepper and thyme, cover COMPLETELY with the vinegar and salt and leave to soak for 3-4 days. Using, if possible, an electric frying pan, boil the pork in some of the vinegar liquid till tender. Strain off any liquid that's left (replacing the garlic in pan) and fry till brown, adding a little liquid back to the pan if it dries out too much. I also add a little oil if necessary or use ham fat if you have it, but it shouldn't be floating in fat or liquid. This takes a little time. Keep warm and when ready to eat, sprinkle the pork with Worcester sauce and squeeze some fresh orange juice over it. Serve with hot buns, sliced ham, pickled onions and salad material. Oh, don't forget the pink gins with an orange juice chaser! For those of you souls out there who don't know what a pink gin is, it's a shot of gin with a splash of Angostura bitters. Considering this is a breakfast party, I have never been brave enough to have one; can't say the same for others though! Apologies to the vegetarians out there.

Bon Appetit
Cath