Thursday, 1 January 2015

In My Kitchen - January 2015

Happy New Year and here's what's happening in my kitchen at the moment...




Champagne:

There's been Champagne, and lots of it in my kitchen. You've got to love this time of year. It's like a month of Friday nights.



Pandoro:

We only have it once a year, but Pandoro with chocolate is a must in my kitchen at Christmas time. It's a bit of a tradition for my kids to sit near the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, watching movies, munching on sweet wedges of this fluffy, chocolate filled/dotted bread in the days leading up to Christmas. I think they'll still want to take part in this ritual when they are 40 and 42.



Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens:

If you know me, then you'll know that my camera spends as much time in the kitchen as I do. I've had a crush on this lens for months. My husband surprised me with it on Christmas morning. Best Husband in the World.



Oregano:

I have a forest of oregano growing in the garden and it's just starting to flower. The Greeks are the experts on oregano and they prize the dried blossoms over the leaves. Hence, I've been making like a Greek Goddess and snipping armfuls of the stuff, tying it in fragrant bundles and hanging it upside down in the kitchen to dry. You can call me Demeter, but don't call me late for dinner.



Books:

I scored a stack of new cookbooks. If you're ever in any doubt as to what to buy me for Christmas, just go to the nearest bookstore and head to the cookbook section. Because we are BBFs , you'll know exactly what book to surprise me with... or you could buy me a new camera lens (see above), that works too...



Chocolate:
...Or you could buy me some fancy chocolate. Chocolate is good.


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 
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43 comments:

  1. Unknown1 January 2015 at 21:53

    Awesome lens - I look forward to seeing what magic you produce (although your photos are already great!) Love your Christmas tradition too.

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  2. Gabrielle2 January 2015 at 01:29

    What an awesome post with lots of good things! One day, when I'm going to be rich (yeah, yeah...) I'll have a better camera then now. Your pictures are amazing, I can't wait to see how they're going to be with your new lens :) Happy New Year Jen!

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 11:56

      Happy New Year Gabrielle. I love my lens. It's fun just to play with... and look at. :)

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  3. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com2 January 2015 at 07:39

    Great photos! Isn't Veuve Clicquot photogenic?! Posted my first IMK today, so came over from Celia's blog. Can't wait to come back and read more.

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 11:58

      Thanks Jean and Happy New Year. IMK is such a fun thing to get involved with. I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog too.

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  4. Anonymous2 January 2015 at 09:04

    Happy New Year! I think you and i could be twins separated at birth, we always have pannetone in our house at Christmas, and loads of champs too! I have the nikon equiv lens, it's just perfect in the kitchen!

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 11:58

      Yes, definitely separated at birth. We were obviously born with great taste haha!

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  5. Anonymous2 January 2015 at 09:20

    Dear Demeter, that lens and camera look really good and it reminds me that I need to start taking some serious camera lessons. Your photos are sensational too.

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 12:00

      Thank you and Happy New Year. I think I enjoy capturing the images as much as the food... well, almost.

      Love, Demeter

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  6. Tania@ MyKitchen Stories2 January 2015 at 10:35

    Oh lucky you. That lens is the bomb. I love Pandoro and I can see why your kids would love that tradition. happy New Year

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 12:04

      Thanks Tania. Happy New Year to you. A big slice of Pandoro and a chocolate milkshake are a daily ritual from the first day of school holidays to Christmas Eve. I tell myself I'm making memories for them.

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  7. Unknown2 January 2015 at 11:46

    This was going to be the year I made homemade panettone, didn't happen though. Newhart a fun tradition for your family. Happy New Year!

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    1. Milk and Honey2 January 2015 at 12:05

      Happy New Year Gretchen. I also promised myself I would bake panettone this year, but I got too busy (plus I need to buy and panettone pan and that didn't happen either). May be next year.

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  8. Lizzy (Good Things)2 January 2015 at 14:12

    Lovely haul, Jennifer.... and loved the Pandoro... I ate so much panettone this year... I wanted to bake some but fell ill just before xmas. Happy cooking and thanks for the peek into your kitchen.

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 12:19

      Sorry to hear you weren't well at Christmas time. Thank goodness there's plenty of irresistible Italian baked goods to step in when life gets too busy to bake.

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  9. celia2 January 2015 at 14:14

    Seriously, best husband in the world, that is one whopper of a lens! Have a wonderful time playing with it! Happy New Year to you all - glad to know we're not the only ones who do Champagne Friday.. :)

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 12:20

      Some weeks I live for Champagne Friday. Cheers Celia.

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  10. Anonymous2 January 2015 at 17:44

    Love it when you get new glass for the camera! Boy there is load of chocolate in IMK this month. Cheers :)

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 12:21

      Haha. I did notice that most of us have featured a mega-load of chocolate this month.

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  11. The Mother Hubbard's Cupboard2 January 2015 at 20:43

    I love your choice of champagne!!! It's the only champagne I drink... I over indulged for the first time on Chrtimas day and lunch was late!!! LOL! Thanks for sharing! Liz xx

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 12:23

      That's so funny Liz. I try not to open bottles too early on Christmas day for that very reason. Goodness knows how lunch would ever get on the table if I started with the Veuve mid-morning. LOL!

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  12. Anonymous3 January 2015 at 00:59

    Great stash of books. You certainly did well with them and the new lens.

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 12:24

      Thanks so much. I can only assume that I was very good all year. Cheers and Happy New Year.

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  13. Kari3 January 2015 at 05:17

    It looks like a good place to be, your kitchen :-) That is an amazing new lens and your books look great too. And as you can probably guess, I approve of the chocolate!

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    1. Milk and Honey3 January 2015 at 16:51

      Haha yes. I think we all have chocolate and IMK in common.

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  14. Kirsty3 January 2015 at 15:29

    Awesome lens. I have lens envy. I have 7 in total now (!) but that 24-70 looks like a real sweetie. I hope you have loads of fun with it!
    Is a pandoro the same as panetone? I got a choc chip panetone from Aldi this year and virtually inhaled it. So soft and chocolately with a hint of orange, which made the inhaling experience just that more delicious! Happy January Jen, Kirsty xx

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    1. Milk and Honey5 January 2015 at 13:44

      Thanks and Happy New Year Kirsty. Pandoro is like the pretty little sister of panettone. My kids aren't crazy about the dried fruit in panettone, but the they are all for the elegant, chocolated studded sibling.

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  15. Marian@Apricot Tart3 January 2015 at 16:20

    Chocolates, champagne, homegrown oregano, fabulous books and that camera lens - what more could a girl wish for in her kitchen! A lovely post, Jennifer! Happy New Year!

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  16. sherry from sherryspickings3 January 2015 at 16:41

    yum yum i like the look of your kitchen! :) Veuve is my fave champers, and I love Willie's chocs. very nice of your hubby to get the lens. i always have to nudge mine towards what i want as gifts. he and I prefer that he has a list of what i want. I got a few books too- i have so many and it just keeps growing. happy new year.

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  17. Tiffin Fiona3 January 2015 at 19:48

    Yes, one can nevre have too much Champagne and certainly not enough Veuve, which is a favourite. I actually like the woven bag it's tucked in, in the top shot. Thanks for the festive tour. Cheers Fiona

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    1. Milk and Honey5 January 2015 at 13:49

      Thanks Fiona. That's my French market basket. I have two and they go everywhere I go (as I'm always food shopping!) Actually, they are pretty handy for the beach and on a picnic too. And I'm in total agreement with you regarding the champers and chocolate. All the best for the New Year.

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  18. Miss Food Fairy3 January 2015 at 22:16

    Happy New Year Jennifer, you got spoilt this year with your new camera lens & cookbooks! Looking forward to seeing some new inspiration from you this year with all those wonderful goodies ;) Oregano dried is the best, especially when it's from your garden! Love your IMK this month x

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    1. Milk and Honey5 January 2015 at 13:51

      Thanks Nicole and Happy New Year to you and yours. My kitchen is dripping with garlands of dried oregano as I type. Smells divine and looks like an unside down meadow. x

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  19. Liz4 January 2015 at 13:28

    I love Veuve Clicquot, definitely my favorite. And the Pandoro looks delicious, I've not seen it here and will have to keep my eyes out. I love Panetone toasted with butter and jam.

    Very nice camera, I think I am going to have to move up from my Iphone or Ipad.

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    1. Milk and Honey5 January 2015 at 13:57

      Thanks Liz. You can't go wrong Veuve Clicquot. I don't know anyone who doesn't love it (and I'm not sure I could be friends with someone who didn't love it either!! haha). I love toasted Panettone too - probably more than untoasted to be honest - dripping with French butter for breakfast.

      I'm in love with my camera and lenses, but I've see some amazing photos taken by iPhone and IPads.

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  20. Lisa5 January 2015 at 12:43

    Happy New Year! Champagne and Chocolate, two things that BELONG in kitchens during the festive season! (and other times too)! Pity I still have an unpredictable nursling this year, so it was strictly sparkling apple juice for me - not nearly as delicious :)

    I love Willies chocolate with the salt...now that is something I can indulge in (uh... because the babe wants it and needs the extra calories, naturally!)!

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    1. Milk and Honey5 January 2015 at 14:01

      That first glass of Champagne after months/years of forced abstinence due to child carrying and nursing is soooo gooood. At least it's not all deprivation with chocolate still on the menu - for the bebe, of course. Happy New Year Lisa and cheers to your first sip of champers in the not-too-far-way future.

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  21. Amy5 January 2015 at 14:55

    January is off to a wonderful start in the Milk and Honey kitchen :) Champagne is always welcome, camera lenses are a perfect surprise, and cookbooks and chocolate are icing on the cake. Now heading to Amazon to check out some of those new cookbooks. Might have to leave the list strategically 'lying around' on Chris's desk ;)

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  22. Anonymous6 January 2015 at 19:29

    Chocolates, cookbooks and a lovely new lens, what a great start to the new year. Happy new year :)

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  23. Amanda @lambsearsandhoney7 January 2015 at 12:36

    Looks like a lovely haul you have there. I'll be your BFF if you share that chocolate. ;-)

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  24. Annie Cholewa9 January 2015 at 00:18

    That lens, that's the kind of thing I'd like to see in my kitchen!

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  25. sherry from sherryspickings9 January 2015 at 16:25

    well everything looks fabulous in your kitchen. Veuve is my fave drink of choice tho we did get some Mumm as a xmas gift. i don't sniff at any version of Champers. love your books and the oregano. and of course the chocolate.
    have a great 2015!

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