Wednesday 3 December 2014

In My Kitchen - December 2014

Here's what's happening in my kitchen at the moment...





Man Food by Billy Law:


As I am the only female in my house, I believe this book is a gift to my family. At least that's what I told my husband when he found it on the dining table... It's better than my usual response to "I haven't seen this one before!", which is "Oh that old thing? I've had it for ages."



Apricots:


Sooooo many apricots from our tree. I see apricot jam in my near future.



"Super" Cacao Organic Powder: 


I have a new obsession to add to my list of obsessions and it comes in a rather unattractive sachet from the supermarket and is called "Super" Cacao Organic Powder.  It has been replacing cocoa powder in most of my recipes. I figure if I can say that a chocolate brownie is a "super food" giving me a mega-hit of magnesium, iron and antioxidants, it's got to be good for me, right? Work with me here.



Japanese bowls:



And while we're on the subject of obsessions, my Japanese obsession continues with these lovely little bowls. They are for condiments, sauces and pickles, but have been known to have the occasional scoop of Matcha Ice Cream dolloped in them.



Korean Pantry:


Hot on the heels of my Japanese obsession, is my Korean obsession and my pantry is bulging accordingly.



Sourdough:


I went on a mission to find my sourdough starter in the deepest corners of my fridge and was successful. Once brought to the surface, I fed it and IT'S ALIVE.  Sourdough everything from now until Christmas.




Anyway, that's my kitchen for now.

Pop on over and check out the links to bloggers’ kitchens around the world at In My Kitchen on 






34 comments:

  1. Firstly, Man Food is on my list. I grew up in a house of girls, and one man with a delicate constitution - now I have very manly tastes to cater to and Billy is going to save me :)
    Bring on the Korean obsession - I can't wait to see what that yields.
    Super cocoa! Well, I mean my doctor has been telling me to be even more vigilant about my iron after my infusion so chocolate is medicine now :)

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    1. It's a happy day when chocolate is prescribed, oh yes it is. The way to Chris's heart is through Man Food (Not that you're not there already - my boys love me too. They just love me a little bit more when I smell of bacon.)

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  2. I need to let you know that I just love your photographs! And those apricots. And the Japanese bowls. I'm a little obsessed with raw organic cacao powder too at the moment and I'm totally working with you on the chocolate brownie front :)

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    1. Thanks so much Nancy. I enjoy taking the photos almost as much as I love the food... almost. I'm so glad you're with me re: the brownies. We should get together. :)

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  3. So many goodies in your kitchen, as always... I LOVE cacao... (PS my first comment disappeared).

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    1. Booo disappearing comments. I don't know why that some times happens. Thanks for persevering. I love cacao too.

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  4. i love all your little japanese bowls. Yes i tell myself if i use raw cacao powder in baking it is very healthy! that sourdough starter looks like a real goer. have fun making stuff! and merry xmas.

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    1. Thanks Sherry. Those little bowls are really handy (and cute). Now that I have found cacao, I eat brownies feeling positively virtuous. Merry Christmas to you and yours too.

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  5. I want Man Food too. It's on my list and those darling bowls!

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  6. I'm loving your Japanese bowls, gorgeous. I've been trying out some Korean too but in restaurants, it's so good! We are big cacao fans, I make a cacao brownie with pomegranates through them too - you might like that???? You could feel extra virtuous!

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    1. Are your kidding? I would love them!!! Virtue here I come.

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  7. I know it would be weird but I would sit in your kitchen for a day and just look at what's happening in there. It seems really interesting :P

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    1. I would love to wake up and find you sitting in my kitchen. What fun we would have.

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  8. Love your little Japanese bowl collection. I have my own tiny bowl collection that I try to keep under control. They are just so handy! Am truly envious of your apricots. The ones in the grocery here in Alice are just never that good, though they are a tiny bit better this year than in previous years. I will be trying the super cacao, too, thanks for the idea, and for the look inside your kitchen.

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    1. Thanks so much Ardys. Home grown food is so much better than the best stuff you can get at market. An apricot picked straight from the tree and eaten with the suns warmth in it is a real experience.

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  9. I love the Japanese bowls, they are gorgeous. The cookbook would be useful here too as I am the only female in a house of,five people. I am jealous of the apricots, especially the homemade jam. Thanks for the look in your kitchen.

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    1. Hey Gretchen. You're out-numbered too? Man Food is going to be a hit in your house also.

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  10. G'day I love the Japanese bowls and always enjoy seeing a variety of ingredients!
    Thanks for this month's kitchen view that I enjoyed seeing today and love apricots too!
    Cheers! Joanne

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  11. Great kitchen this month! my sourdough has just arrived from Celia and I am feeding it like crazy ready for my first loaf :) Those apricots look divine... I bough some organic ones (for a small fortune) the other day and they taste so good... finally an apricot that taste like an apricot! Oh and just a tip... if you add some Rum to your apricot Jam it brings out the flavour and makes it taste even better... i will be putting yup my recipe this month sometimes, (but it uses dried apricots) Thanks for sharing! Liz x

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    1. Hi Liz. How exciting to be making some sourdough. Celias starter is a perky little thing by the looks. Oh, and hanks so much for the tip. Rum in my apricot jam sounds divine. I'll check out your recipe when you post it.

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  12. Hi Jennifer, I wish I had apricots on my tree. The birds get every single one :( Love your little bowls.

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    1. Thank you. It's a full time job to keep the birds off. We have lots of fruit trees and veg beds. It's an avian smorgasbord. LOL

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  13. Hi Jennifer, I wish I had apricots on my tree. The birds get every single one :( Love your little bowls. Glenda

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  14. What a stunning post! My next experiment is going to be sourdough - I hope mine will look as amazing as yours! I love your little bowls. And those stunning apricots - I can taste them!

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    1. Good luck with the sourdough. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Sourdough is addictive. So satisfyingly to make... and eat. I hope to see some of your handy work on your blog soon.

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  15. The Japanese bowls are leaving me with lashings of envy. They are so beautiful. I do have a bowl thing too.

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  16. I came over from Hein Stirred's post on his Christmas Milkshake that was inspired by you and then noticed that you take part in IMK - small blogging world!! Brownies made with that Super Cacao are definitely a health food - no arguments from me on that one!! Love the Japanese bowls - they have such a lovely texture and depth from the glaze…my sourdough starter from Celia has just arrived and I am very excited to get working with it. Sourdough everything for ever! Have a wonderful December!

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    1. Small blogging world indeed. Thanks for your support with whole brownie situation. It's a relief to know that my fellow IMK-ers have got my back on these matters. Hooray for sourdough and Celia.

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  17. Those little bowls are delightful and I particularly like the photo at the top where you ahve laid them out with the IMK logo. I'm terrible, I have a tub of Korean fermented red pepper paste in my fridge which I haven't even cracked open yet. I MUST rectify this and make some delicious grilled beef over the Summer. Thanks for the tour. cheers Fiona xx

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    1. Hi Fiona. You need to get into that fermented red pepper paste quick-smart. I dollop it in soups and stews and smear on all manner of things. I'm making Korean meatballs tonight for dinner - the pepper paste will be out in force.

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  18. Some beautiful thing you have shared, thanks and Merry Christmas!

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  19. Hooray for sourdough! Your starter looks very healthy indeed! And as always, I have trouble getting past your gorgeous Japanese bowls - this lot are so lovely! Hope the men enjoy "their" new cookbook! :)

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