Sunday, 1 March 2015

In My Kitchen - March 2015

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






Mexico: the Cookbook by Margarita Carrillo Arronte:


 
Husband bought me this book: The book to end all books on Mexican cuisine. I may never need another book on Mexican food... but don't hold me to that.
 
 
 
Chocolate: Lindt Raspberry Intense:
 


This is the newest flavour in this line of products by Lindt. Is there any better flavour combo than raspberry and chocolate? On Sunday afternoons, after a morning of watching your children play sport, there's nothing like putting your feet up and breaking off a corner and letting it slowly melt on your tongue... or scoffing three chunks without letting it touch the sides. Both scenarios work for me.



Beautiful Mezze Bowls:


My young sons bought me these bowls as a gift. I love them... the bowls and my children.  I can see them filled with marinated olives, nuts, hummus, baba ganoush, dukkah, pickles, tzatziki... the bowls and my children.



Sourdough:


I've been baking tons of sourdough everything lately... like this, this and this. Flour + Salt + Water = MAGIC.



Home Grown Tomatoes:

 
My life is currently being run by tomatoes. I have bottled them, made them into sauces, jams and relishes. I've eaten them in sandwiches, soups and stews. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Tomaotes4Lyfe - or Tomatoes4March, anyway.
 
 


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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40 comments:

  1. Those mezze bowls... so beautiful and vibrant! Your boys have very good taste!!!

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  2. Oh Jen. Each time you talk about a book, I have a sudden urge to buy it haha! :) I don't have any books of Mexican cuisine...damn! And Phaidon makes such nice books!! Love the bowls! We never have to many bowls, oh no. I'll really have to start a new sourdough. I did it once and another time, a friend of mine gave me a piece of hers and it was an amazing adventure. But since they're not in this world since a long time, I should make an another. Go me! & finally, the tomatoes. I'm so excited because the temperature is getting less cold everyday and soon it will be spring and after, summer! WOU OUH! Tomatoes and veggies and fruits all over the public markets and me getting to excited and buying all of them. Oh yes :) I love your ''In My Kitchen'' Jen :)

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    1. Haha. I'm a cookbookaholic Gabrielle. I can't stress what a great book it is. I want to make everything in it.

      I am in a real sourdough phase at the moment. I think once you get into a rhythm of feeding and baking, it becomes less complicated. I usually make a double batch of dough and bake a loaf after a day of proofing in the fridge, then bake the other after 3 days of fridge proofing.

      I'm overrun with tomatoes, peppers, chillies, spring onions, lettuces, basil etc. It's a very productive time of the year. You've got to love summer.

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  3. I LOVE Mexican food! And my birthday is coming up, so I guess that is going on the list :)
    I am a lucky girl because every time Chris goes to the shop I end up with a block of Lindt chocolate - might have to drop the raspberry hint next time!
    Those mezze bowls are beautiful. Your boys know their mama :)

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    1. This book will make a great birthday present (I should know!) Chris is a gem - I'd be putting him in charge of all the shopping :) My boys are very much aware of what I'm into. They know they are pretty safe if they choose anything food related.

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  4. I bought that chocolate to decorate a cake last week. I was pleased because it was a chocolate and raspberry cake. I love your bowls and the fact that both the bowls and the boys will be full of whatever they are holding soon. Happy March.....!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Tania. Your chocolate and raspberry cake sounds divine, especially if it was decorated with this addictive chocolate. It makes me happy to fill bowls and boys with delicious things.

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  5. Those mezze bowls wouldn't be from a little shop in Stratford would they? Beautiful! Lovely bread :)

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    1. Hi Maree. They are actually from a shop called Afez of the Heart which is owned by friends of ours in Bunbury WA. They deal in Middle Eastern and Eastern wares. But I shall keep a look-out for a little shop selling lovely bowls next time I'm in Stratford.

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    2. They are beautiful! Haven't closely checked out the Turkish shop in Stratty but looks OK from the footpath. They also do tours to Turkey I believe.

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    3. PS, Afez of the heart! What a cracker of a name! :)

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  6. beautiful photos - those bowls are such a lovely gift - and your bread looks lovely - chocolate is always a good thing and I hope you enjoy your tomatoes (all year round once the bottling finishes)

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    1. Thanks Johanna. Tomatoes - the gift that keeps on giving. Happy March.

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  7. The bowls are simply gorgeous! Your young men have wonderful insight as to what will please you for gifts. I can't wait to be inundated with garden tomatoes as you are right now! Have a terrific day Jen.

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    1. Thanks so much Patty. You'll be eating your own tomatoes soon I bet - and making delicious dishes with them too.

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  8. Hi Jennifer. I love the bowls too. I have a couple in navy blue. I see you got them from Bunbury. I will have to check out the shop one day soon. It is certainly tomato time for everyone.

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    1. Tomatoes, tomatoes everywhere. Love them to bits. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Oh, such gorgeous plates and bowls! I love them!

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  10. G'day Love your bowls and can almost smell your bread from here!
    Thanks for your IMK kitchen view this month also!
    Cheers! Joanne

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    1. Thanks Joanne. It's been a sourdough IMK this time around. Everybody's doing it. :)

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  11. Ha! I love that your 'life is currently being run by tomatoes'! Same here! just when you think they have peaked, POP, more flowers, more green globes appear. I totally agree.. chocolate and raspberry is a super match. Cheers, Kirsty xx

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    1. Thanks Kirsty. My life is powered by tomatoes at the moment. I'm making tomato kasundi today.

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  12. Those mezzo bowls are utterly beautiful, I love the colour, it makes a vibrant change from the blue ones we see often. I very been using my library a lot recently with library books, so will have to see if this Mexican book is on their shelves, I like Mexican food, but in the Uk not many authentic places, so best to recreate at home. Thanks for giving a peek into your kitchen this month.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Shaheen. Mexican food is one of our favourites. We have access to great Mexican food, but there's something about being able to make your own authentic dishes whenever you want them.

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  13. I think my favourite bowl is that last one in which your tomatoes are sitting, it's a stunner!

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  14. I have only two packs of tomatoes left in the freezer from last summer's harvest and savour every pack I take out so am very envious of your fresh tomatoes. Your bread equation is spot on.

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    1. Thanks for dropping in to my kitchen Anne. It's sad when you use the last of your stored summer tomatoes. I remember last year when I opened the last of my bottled homemade passata, we nearly held a service. :)

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  15. Oh, that cookbook! Now I shall have to look for it ...
    Sourdough is the current theme and it may be time for me to climb back on that horse. Nothing like a beautiful loaf of bread sitting on the counter. You have much to savor in your kitchen. :)

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  16. I like a bit of Lindt but usually just go for the sea salt (or these days, the knock off version from Aldi). I'll have to look out for the Raspberry Intense. I fear if i go into the aisle though, I may never come out. Cute bowls, great kids!

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  17. Beautiful things in your kitchen...you are on the money with the slow and the scoff of chocolate - there is no wrong way is there?? hehehe and your sour dough looks ah-mazing!
    Warm regards, Jan x

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  18. Such wonderful bowls, I will have to train my boys to buy me such lovely gifts too! The tomatoes look so delicious. Last year I actually got ill from eating too many tomatoes, who knew it was possible?! Of course as my seedlings are starting to grow now I can't wait for summer again. As for the chocolate, oh yes chocolate and raspberry is so divine.

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  19. Hi Jennifer! Those bowls are beautiful, thanks for sharing! :)

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  20. Those bowls are just beautiful... and how lovely of your sons! A treasure.

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  21. Gorgeous bowls and gorgeous photo's. My all time favourite Lindt chocolate is the roasted almond one but might have to give the raspberry one a try now! I'm still building up to making sourdough but yours looks great.

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  22. I absolutely love your Mezze Bowls - they are gorgeous!
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

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  23. Those mezze bowls your boys bought you are just stunning Jennifer! I love them, they're so bright and colourful - they'll be perfect with a lot of great dishes! Where did your boys get them (if you don't mind me asking)? I love bright accessories in the kitchen. I'm also loving your dish that you placed your tomatoes in! What did you end up making with your tomatoes? Thanks for sharing x

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  24. What a beautiful present, those bowl look wonderful, I can wait to see what you fill them with! I don't have a Mexican cook book... how did that happen? ah well I will just have to add it too the list :) I too have an abundance of tomatoes and have just planted some more so it should be 2 bumper crops this year! Thanks for sharing! Liz xx

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