Thursday 1 May 2014

In My Kitchen- May 2014

Have you read the blog Fig Jam and Lime Cordial?
Celia lives in Sydney and writes about all things foodie and other things in life she enjoys. She has a monthly post called In My Kitchen where she shares whats new in her kitchen for that month.
She also encourages other bloggers to join in, so here is my post for this month's In My Kitchen.

Quinces and Rhubarb- found at our local green grocer (which I absolutely love!!!!). With the cooler weather we have been spending more time inside and in the kitchen. I attempted to make a flourless rhubarb cake but it failed miserably so will stick to my trusty rhubarb crumble cake which is always a winner.


These quinces were poached. So simple and yet so deliciously rewarding. Slice, core and peel skin off four quinces. In a pot, bring to boil 4 cups of water, 1 cup of caster sugar, a strip of lemon rind and juice of half a lemon. For extra favouring, add half a vanilla bean, or some cloves or cinnamon stick. I added vanilla bean. Once boiling, add quinces and turn down heat so that they gently simmer for about 2 hours. Check after first 45 minutes that there is enough syrup- add extra water if you need too. Be careful when stirring as the quinces will break up. Once cooked, pour into steralised jars and store. So yummy as a dessert or for breakfast.


Home made Granola which go perfectly with poached quinces. I fill a small jar and keep in my bag when out and about- makes for an easy energy snack.


I have a cupboard of cookbooks and I keep promising myself I wont buy anymore but the odd temptation often pulls rank. These below are my current top five GO TO books for inspiration and good reliable recipes. Do you have any favourites to share???


Our Nespresso machine is probably the most used gadget in our kitchen. I would seriously not function without it! The best bit is how wonderful the service is for country people. I can order my capsules online and receive them in the post the next day. We also had an issue with one of the parts and after a phone call, we were advised to send the part back to them and it was replaced within a few days. I can not praise Nespresso enough for such wonderful customer service- especially when you live in a rural area. Oh, and the coffee is good every time!!!!


We recently had a garage sale which mean't going through old boxes in the shed. I came across my old teapot I bought from a friend's shop in Edinburgh about 20 years ago. Rachel made all sorts of kitchen pottery pieces and then painted them bright colours and patterns. I always loved the orange slices against the blue. So, as a celebration in finding this old friend, we made scones and drank tea.


Fresh eggs straight from the Little Forest Produce in Barham. These chooks live in caravans and graze in the paddocks- you cant get more free range then that! Nothing beats fresh farm eggs! I like to buy a tray every fortnite at the Echuca Farmer's Markets.


I also popped in to visit Lauren at Bundarra Berkshires , just down the road from Little Forest Produce, and bought this beautiful shoulder of pork and some bacon straight from her farm shop. I have the Gourmet Girlfriend's Pulled Pork recipe in mind for this, which I have tried a few times before and is always worth the wait!



 Time to clean my old silver cutlery collection.


How good is freshly made garlic bread? Although the trick is adding just the right amount of garlic.
I like to make a big batch and freeze as many little baguettes as possible…..always handy for the impromptu lazy pizza nights when I can't be bothered cooking anything else.


Home made crumpets. Ive been experimenting with various recipes and think I have finally found one that I like- or rather- works best for me. It has taken a few tries  to learn what the mixture is supposed to be like. They do require lots of love and time but they are seriously worth it. The recipe I used for this batch was from Elizabeth David shared on Hugo & Elsa's beautiful blog.


Some roses from our garden….just adds a pretty feminine touch to the kaos of our kitchen bench.


What is going on in your kitchen this month? 


Joining in with Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for In My Kitchen.
Be sure to pop over and visit Celia's blog and others too for some kitchen inspiration!
  

44 comments:

  1. Hi Kylie, I was going through your post thinking wow, that is good and wow that is good and then I saw your cutlery collection, wow that is fantastic!! Get the cleaner out and make them shine!!

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    1. Thanks Glenda- Ive enjoyed looking through everyone else's kitchen too! Feeling like a bit of a sticky beak, but such a good way to see and learn about some new foodie things xx

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  2. Wonderful post, love the teapot and going to make those crumpets!!!

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    1. Thanks so much Penny! Yes- definitely make the crumpets- a labour of love, but worth it! xx

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  3. Great post! I'd be happy with rhubarb crumble cake! I've been cooking quinces too to serve with home made muesli for breaky too. i'd use that gorgeous teapot at breakfast time every day, then i'd begin with a smile on my face. thanks for the tour of your kitchen

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    1. I did notice your red ruby quinces- must try that recipe…..The syrup is lovely too and thinking of what else I can do with it outside jelly and mixing drinks! Thanks for popping by x

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  4. What a fabulous IMK post. My hubby wouldn't be without his Nespresso machine either. I have managed to find other brands of pods which work out much cheaper than Nespresso and are equally as nice.
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

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    1. Hi Mandy- thanks for dropping by. Keen to know what other capsules you have tried. I love nespresso but good to know if we did run out what a back up could be. I did try a supermarket equivalent but they were horrible. Thanks again!

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  5. G'day! Kylie! What a great first IMK post! Love your photos that brightened my day!
    Thanks also for this month's kitchen view too!
    Cheers! Joanne

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    1. Thanks so much joanne…really appreciate you dropping by x

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  6. I'm the exact same with books! I have so many I haven't even read but can't help myself when I find another one that I "just have to have". And I adore your teapot!
    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Lauren- Occassionally I challenge myself to choose one of my many books and cook with for the week. A good excuse to actually cook rather then flick through. Doesnt happen as often as I would like but its a fun challenge! Thanks for dropping by x

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  7. Scones and crumpets, roses and that beautiful teapot! Lovely post!
    And your silver spoons are so cool! I love the mint spoon!

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    1. Hi HeidiAnne….Thanks for your lovely compliments. I love the herb spoons too…I had planned to have them framed to put in the kitchen- one of those projects still on the To Do List!!! Thanks for dropping by!xx

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  8. Hi there and welcome to Celia's IMK gang! Lots of good things in your kitchen.... polishing silver is a drag, but surely must be easier when the silverware is so beautiful! Happy cooking, will await the crumpet recipe!

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  9. Thanks Liz…..I always think the idea of polishing silver is such a chore, but once Im set up its quite therapeutic, and the end results a wonderful reward. Thanks for visiting my blog and will be sure to share the crumpet recipe xxx

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  10. hi Kylie, your silverware is beautiful! I have a big stash that needs polishing - should I send it down? I have a couple of those cookbooks, including In the Kitchen. Which I haven't used... Making and freezing garlic bread - or even just garlic butter - is a fabulous idea!

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    1. Thanks Mel- In The Kitchen has been one of my essential go to books for any recipe Im hunting down. I have a number of family favs that have originated from this book and twigged here and there over the years. Thanks for visiting x

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  11. Hi Kylie! I love granola and I'm secretly more than a little jealous of your blue and orange tea pot! How gorgeous! I'm also a fan of homemade garlic bread, and your picture has inspired me to add it to our menu plan for next week. Thank you!

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  12. You have so much going on this month. I love how you poached the quinces and what a lovely start to the day if you enjoy them with your homemade granola. The eggs and pork are beautiful, good-quality produce - I wish I could shop where you shop. I love your silver collection and your flowers are gorgeous xx

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    1. Hi Charlie- Im very lucky living in a rural area with great farmers markets and great quality local produce. So good to visit a farm shop and collect some fresh meat or eggs! Thanks for visiting and your kind comments xxxx

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  13. So many good things in your kitchen. My stash of poached quince has run out and I have to wait few months before ours fruit, so very envious of yours. I've been looking for a good crumpet recipe so will have to try this one - I usually find another blogger's recommendation the best way to find good recipes that work. Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.

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    1. Hi Anne- Thanks so very much for calling in. I am enjoying reading your blog as it reminds me of my time working on a farm in Norfolk about 15 years ago…Im envious you have a quince tree- something good to look forward to in the next few months, then the poaching fun can begin! xx

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  14. I love cookbooks too! I am always tempted to buy more but I try to refrain because I know with the www at my fingertips I don't REALLY need them, I just want them. And I love those old silver spoons, did you stamp them yourself?

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    1. Hi Malinda- I wish I did stamp those old spoons but I didn't! So true with googling recipes online now- that has definitely slowed down my need to buy. Nothing beats a beautiful cookbook though x Thanks for dropping by x

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  15. Thanks for joining in, Kylie! What great produce you have access too - and you're so right, nothing beats fresh eggs. It took me ages to find a crumpet recipe I was happy with as well - ours is on the bread page on our blog if you're interested - there's nothing quite like them, is there? :)

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    1. Thanks for having me Celia! Such a great idea and I really have enjoyed having a sticky beak into other bloggers kitchens around the world- very interesting! I am heading over to check out your crumpet recipe…thanks for the heads up! And for visiting too xx

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  16. Hi Kylie,
    welcome to the IMK gang!
    A beautiful selection, the crumpets look delicious.
    You can never have enough cookbooks, just too few cupboards I say!
    cheers
    Jason

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    1. How funny…and yet so true Jason! Perhaps in another few IMK's you might see some new shelves appear! Thanks for visiting!

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  17. OH! I ' m going to try the recipe of quinces. I usually make jam; but yours sounds yummy!

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    1. Thanks Ale- hope you enjoy them poached. My next batch will be paste I think….they are such simple pleasures! Thanks for dropping in x

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  18. Welcome Kylie! Lots of delicious looking things coming from your kitchen-- I just love the colour of quinces when they are cooked. Lovely post, thanks for joining in.

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    1. I agree…such a pretty colour and so autumn! Thanks for dropping by and for your lovely comments x

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  19. Well so far I've clicked on two of the recipe links you included and then I was off down the rabbit hole. I'm keen on both that pork and the crumpets. As for the teapot - what a lucky find and fond memory for you. Welcome to IMK and thanks for the tour. Hope to see you soon. Fiona xx

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    1. Hi Fiona- Thanks for your lovely comments and hope you enjoy those recipes. I love reading other foodie blogs and many recipes are often found or inspired from other bloggers. Thanks for dropping by!

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  20. Think I will enjoy reading this blog! Looks great and already got some good ideas! Thanks.

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    1. Hi- Thanks for dropping by and lovely to he in the company of a fellow country victorian! I also love the story behind your blog. My in laws have an old mulberry tree which is very dear to them. Watching their children grow up around this tree and now the next generation. I have just put together a cookbook named "Under the Mulberry Tree" for my Mother in Law which was all her family recipes- will post more about it this week. Will pop over and explore your blog some more x

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  21. I am coveting everything in your kitchen. Love the quinces ( I currently have some on the stove myself). I love to make my own toasted muesli but never thought to take it with me as a snack. Fantastic idea. Thank you. I'm a huge fan of homemade crumpets. Much better than the preservative laden shop bought ones. Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.

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    1. Hi Tania- Thanks so much for dropping by….hope you are enjoying your quinces- have you a secret ingredient that you add? Appreciate your lovely compliments xx

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  22. Beautiful things in your kitchen but please, just hand over that old silver cutlery.

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    1. Thanks Francesca x There is something quite special about this old silver xxx

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  23. What a beautiful post, I am keen to try your quince recipe too. Unfortunately the birds ate my small crop but we enjoyed the sight of one Rosella per quince sitting in the tree!

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  24. They are some great books you have there I love cloudberries a lot. Such beautiful unusual silver

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