Welcome to what’s in my kitchen, a monthly series hosted by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. What I have isn’t much this month. I haven’t done much shopping and I think that’s the best way to get new things in your kitchen unless you get lots of gifts. No such luck.
So first we have my favourite sandwich in the whole world. It’s chicken breast (or turkey) that’s been well cooked but still juicy, a layer of stuffing and then a layer of cranberry sauce. Back in Maine at Big G’s Deli just up the road from where my mother lived, it’s called the Miles Standwich (of Miles Standish, Pilgrim Thanksgiving fame). John rolls his eyes but that doesn’t bother me.
He’ll say, “Who puts cranberry sauce and stuffing on a sandwich?”
I reply, “Who dreamed up Vegemite?”
BOOM! Then I quit while I’m ahead before he thinks about a fluffernutter.
I did get a lovely gift this month from Sara at Belly Rumbles when I won her Halloween giveaway. American candy, people! I tossed in a few of those pumpkin kisses in Joan’s Halloween basket and she fished them out one by one and ate them all. I should have said, “That’s American candy, Joan!” When John and I got together his mother was convinced Americans were all like you see on tv who talk loudly and chew gum. She learned to love me in spite of my American ways.
My second favourite sandwich is tuna salad with onions, mayo and celery then dusted with a bit of ordinary paprika. John doesn’t do mayonnaise so it’s all for me.
I went to Costco recently and all this was on Rob’s shopping list for his room at the nursing home. “Why so much?” I asked him.
When Joan comes to his room to visit she eats all his chocolate covered raisins and takes a jar of mints back to her room. We’re not sure whether she’s eating them or giving them away but either way, Rob’s out of mints and raisins. He gets a dry mouth from some of his medication and the mints help. The tin of cookies we brought for Joan and in spite of being no bigger than a minute, went through quite a few within minutes of opening them up.
I went to the Noosa Beach House restaurant created by Peter Kuruvita for the Sheraton Noosa Spa and Resort and came home with these two gems. (post coming soon) I wish I could invite you over for dinner when I crack these two bottles open.
Finally, my best four-legged friend is in dire need of a haircut. He wants it shorter but he doesn’t like to go through the trauma of getting it done so we wait til the last minute. He’ll look like a sheared lamb this time next week. The wonderful woman who helps me tidy the place up didn’t have her thinking cap on when she put two bags of treats (open!) on the bottom shelf of the pantry. I often leave the door open when I’m cooking and I left and went upstairs.
“Charlie, did you get in the treats???”
wag wag wag
movita beaucoup says
I don’t think Charlie got into the treats. He’s being framed.
Maureen says
That’s what HE said!! Then he went and pooped in the dining room under the table.
gloria says
Aw Maureen always I love this!!
Beautiful!
I like your raisin’s jar just beautiful!!
Have a nice Sunday:)
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
What a stinker – I love how Charlie is looking on to the scene of the crime. I’ll be looking forward to a photo of him and his new look next week, yes? 😉
I’ve never considered a sprinkle of paprika on tuna sandwiches – definitely going to try that. Tuna, just as you described it, is a go-to lunch in our house.
Thanks for the fun post. Happy Sunday!
Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says
I saw that sandwich at the beginning of the post and wanted right away and it’s not even breakfast time! I love tuna salad sandwiches as well – mmm think I will take one of lunch today – thanks for the inspiration Maureen.
Margo says
I love tuna sandwiches! Besides celery & & onions, we add some finely chopped dill pickle and some hard boiled egg and we serve it on toasted bread with some lettuce and thin slices of tomato.
The other way is making it with chopped pecans and chopped apple with a little mayo…poor Charlie, pooping under the dining room table is like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar…
Have a blessed day!
Maureen says
It’s funny, when my son was a baby he would go under the dining room table to do his business. I think it’s like being in a cabin. 🙂 I love the pecan and apple tuna salad, Margo, thanks!
Padaek says
Great looking sandwiches! 🙂 Those sauces look and sound lovely/delicious. Dear Charlie, probably just psyching himself up for the haircut. Lovely photos Maureen. Best wishes! 🙂
Lizzy (Good Things) says
How about those sandwiches…. would you please make my lunch today, Maureen!? Oh nice, we didn’t get to Peter Kuruvita’s in Noosa, what’s it like?
Jennifer from Milk and Honey says
Charlie looks as surprised as you!!!
I’d love to come and eat sandwiches with you Maureen. I think you’re my sandwich twin.
A_Boleyn says
So many yummy goodies in your kitchen this month, especially the candy and biscuits. I didn’t get ANY Halloween candy this year as I gave away the little package I got Friday, at work to a challenging student who got a lot of work done in spite of it … to share with his friends. Since I was so good, I baked today. 🙂
Charlie can’t be blamed. As the wag said, “I can resist everything except temptation”.
Roberta says
John and I have some thing in common. No mayo. Loved your kitchen this month. 🙂
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Now I’m craving a tuna salad sandwich. And surely there’s a cat around blame that “treat incident” on. Happy November.
velva says
I can dig the cranberry sauce…I might even make the leap with stuffing too. A good tuna sandwich is always good too. Your kitchen is rocking this month.
Velva
Shirley (Bite Me) says
I’d love to know how you thought Costco compared to the USA stores? (Sebastian the Labrador can see know problem in Charlie’s behaviour. It’s called helping yourself).
Maureen says
It didn’t bother Charlie at all that he got caught. You leave ’em at my height and they’re mine.
The stores aren’t any different at all but the prices are. 🙂 Things are much cheaper in the US but then wages in the US are much lower.
SallyBR says
Loved this month’s peek into your home! Charlie seems innocent and free of all wrongdoing – are you sure you don’t have a big rodent that got to the bags and then ran away?
🙂
(got your lovely email, this weekend has been one busy weekend…. will write back 😉
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe a lovely look into your kitchen today! I’m so glad that you said that you like stuffing in a sandwich-we do too! Sometimes Mr NQN goes to work with just stuffing and some mayo in his sandwich. Sounds strange and perhaps awful but it’s really good and he loves it! 😀
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
Maureen – I love your reply to that cranberry/stuffing sandwich quandary! And aren’t Costco raisins the best – I completely understand Joan eating her way through them! And sounds like your Charlie needs to take a lesson from my Tawny – when ever she eats something she shouldn’t – she clears the scene of the crime – doesn’t even come near it when she is called to!! 🙂
Maureen says
but I have to change the subject quickly because Americans eat some weird stuff. 🙂
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
Maureen – I love your reply to that cranberry/stuffing sandwich quandary! And aren’t Costco raisins the best – I completely understand Joan eating her way through them! And sounds like your Charlie needs to take a lesson from my Tawny – when ever she eats something she shouldn’t – she clears the scene of the crime – doesn’t even come near it when she is called to! 🙂 :!
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day! LOVED you post today Maureen as it truly brightened my day!
LOVE cranberry sauce on sandwiches and tuna…thanks for taking me down Memory Lane!
Great kitchen view and think Charlie was being framed in a fun sort of way too!
Cheers! Joanne
Terry says
I put stuffing and cranberry sauce on turkey sandwiches also – have done for years. Wonderful combination 🙂
Choc Chip Uru says
I absolutely REFUSE to believe Charlie did anything. If anything, I think a racoon must have gotten in and framed them. Or a squirrel. Or even a bird! 😛
Love the peek into your kitchen Maureen, now I need some raisins! 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru says
I absolutely refused to believe Charlie got into the treats, someone so cute must be innocent 😛
Thanks for the peek into your kitchen, I have a massive craving for raisins!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hotly Spiced says
Charlie is gorgeous and so enterprising. He must have thought it was Christmas Day! I can’t believe how much Joan and Rob eat and yet they’re so very thin. Where does all that food go? I do love the look of your chicken sandwich and tell John I love a chicken or turkey sandwich with lots of cranberry and stuffing – it’s a Boxing Day treat that I look forward to year after year and there’s hell to pay if all the turkey, stuffing and cranberry are eaten on Christmas Day with nothing left for a sandwich the next day xx
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
Charlie looks so sweet. I love the look of your chicken sandwiches and yes love it with cranberry and stuffing too. I’m heading to Noosa next week for a long awaited for girls trip so will be sure to get my hands on some of those sauces, they look delicious! Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Haha if you replace Charlie for Ollie that is my pantry too. I have a door like that as well! I need to go back to Costco!
Lorelle says
Years ago my favorite sandwich bar did turkey, stuffing, cranberry, cream cheese and lettuce. It was my all time favorite sandwich and I still make it when I have all the planets lining up with my ingredients. It has the juicy turkey, sweet cranberry, crunchy lettuce, velvety cream cheese and of course who says no to stuffing??
Eva Taylor says
Naughty Charlie! But it couldn’t be helped, it’s like you put them there as an invitation to dig in. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I do love this series, I’m hoping to participate again soon.
Glenda says
I bet Charlie had a tummy ache after that lot.
Catalina @ Shades of Pink says
The ginger shallot sauce need to appear in my kitchen too!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Looks like Charlie definitely is liking your kitchen this month! Those bottles of sauce/dressing look really interesting — fun flavor. And fun is what your post is, too! 🙂 Thanks.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Don’t you love how Charlies is paying such close attention! Smart puppy 🙂 Love that chicken sandwich – it is gorgeous!
Lizzy (Good Things) says
PS bless Charlie’s little cotton socks for teaching himself how to have some fun in the larder xox
Amanda (@lambsearshoney) says
Are you SURE Charlie stole those treats? He just doesn’t seem like that kind of dog. 😉
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
I love a good tuna and mayo sandwich. So glad you enjoyed the Halloween treats 🙂
cheri says
HI Maureen, that Charlie is just plain adorable, looks like he is enjoying the kitchen too!
Liz says
Aw, I don’t blame you for raiding the pantry, Charlie! What a sweet boy. I’d much rather have your sandwich than vegemite…sounds darn tasty!
InTolerant Chef says
I put stuffing on bbq chicken sandwiches for littlej, but she likes it with mayonnaise, cheese and lettuce. Once I was making turkey, cream cheese and cranberry sauce rolls but we ran out of cranberry sauce. I substituted a smear of raspberry jam instead and received so many compliments! Just shows you never know what’s going on in a restaurant kitchen behind the scenes 🙂 I’m glad you got a fix of your seasonal candy, you must miss it indeed!
Gourmet Getaways says
That’s tons of goodies in your kitchen! It’s like treat-or-treating and getting a whole basket! Congrats on the winnings, too 🙂 xx
Gourmet Getaways
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
those Peter Kuruvita products look amazing! Love the puppy and the peek into your kitchen this month 🙂
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
Charlie is just too cute 😀 My dogs when growing up often tried to plead innocence while standing in the crime scene. Never could get too mad at them though 😀
Celia says
You know, I usually agree with John, but this time I’m on your side – stuffing in a sandwich is the BOMB. I love it and won’t let the charcoal chicken folks cut up my chicken for me, because I end up with less stuffing that way. I think your turkey standwich looks wonderful! I had to laugh at Rob buying extra mints because Joan keeps nicking his! And American candy! What I want to know is – did you carve the pumpkin for Halloween? 🙂
mjskit says
I thought Bobby was the only one that made that sandwich! I think it why he likes Thanksgiving. 🙂 Why did you buy so much?…It’s Costco…you have to buy a lot! Isn’t it great? Ha Ha
Claire @ Simply Sweet Justice says
I think Charlie needs a blog. 🙂
Kim | a little lunch says
Maureen, thank you for this sandwich spectacular issue of IMK. I’ll help you eat your tuna salad sammiches any day! (Or the “Miles.”) I’m also a sucker for “candy corn” this time of year… one of my few self-imposed sugar rushes. Charlie has that same “guilty pleasure” posture after his pantry raid. 🙂 Ahhhhh… pure bliss!
Elizabeth says
Seriously who wouldn’t put stuffing and cranberry sauce on a sandwich? My faviuorate is warm leftover lamb and mint jelly 🙂 everything looks lovely as always 🙂 thanks for sharing! Liz xx
Sandy says
hahahaaa that is too cute about Charlie – he’s just too clever!!!!!!
Erick says
It would appear that Charlie unquestionably is loving your kitchen this month! Those containers of sauce/dressing look truly intriguing — fun flavor. What’s, better time is the thing that your post is, as well!