Condiments are King

    There is an Australian movie that rests near the heart of most Australians.  It's called "Castle" starring some well known (here) Australian actors like Michael Caton highlighting contemporary issues of its day in the 80s and even today.  It's very Aussie in many ways.  
    A movie critic [or was it a social commentator] hailed its Aussieness by pointing out that in this family's dining room was the stereotypically huge collection of sauces and condiments used in every Aussie home worth the name.  Right now, even as you and he reads this, Kev is spouting about what nonsense this is.  But I have to say I think Kev is in denial.  A quick look in our kitchen is my proof.

Condiment shelf in fridge

 The second shelf in our fridge is quick proof that no Australian home is complete without  a half dozen different mustards, hot sauces , jams, tomato-based sauces, Asian cooking sludges, curry pastes,  relishes, soy-based and chili-based food additives. I would say the whole shelf but I do manage to squeeze in an egg carton and a tub of yoghurt occasionally. The door holds a few more bottles of culinary...magic.  There are only three shelves in the fridge.  I'd say we have the full complement of condiments here.  We have a triangular pantry wedged in the opposing corner to the fridge and it also holds its share of steak sauces, red and green pepper sauces and the like.  Yes, Kev, I do have a few varieties of vinegars and sugars, but I need those for my award winning recipes and Show entries.  Plus, one can never have too many Jell-O packets in the pantry.

Bland food antidotes

    Let's move on to the spice shelf. We have only two shelves and yes, you guessed it, one of them is full of spices. This fact alone should thrill the producers of Master Chef.
They are not from a single source. The Asian shop Kev favors, Kakulas I favor, Penzeys from back home and the local grocery store all have contributed to the Cuisine du Callaghan served up in this very Australian kitchen.  It is what I came to, not created. So I tend to agree with the aforementioned TV/social commentator about the Australian kitchen and dining table.
     These last few blog entries have given you the full tour of the house.  We're back in the real world next time.