In my kitchen…
…are belated birthday gifts from Nic, including this gorgeous Donna Hay ceramic colander, which now occupies a coveted spot on the bench…
…and these incredibly cute Dunlin tasting spoons, made in six different timbers (rosewood, robles, mamales, coconut, mahogany and bayong)…
In my kitchen…
…is a basket of our neighbour Mark’s lemons. The wet weather played havoc with their skins, but the juice is fragrant and plentiful…
In my kitchen…
…is a pinch of Ian and Diana’s homegrown saffron! They only grew a tiny amount, and I was so touched they wanted to share it with us…
Pete used it that very night in a magnificent chicken and ocean trout paella…
In my kitchen…
…are more flavoured salts uncovered in Adelaide by our intrepid foodie friend, Moo. The rosemary has become a staple here, and the citron made a lovely addition to our tabbouleh salad recently…
In my kitchen…
…are treasures from the lovely Lorraine, including blood plum finishing vinegar, an incredibly flavoursome mint sauce and a tin of Nomu spice rub. After hearing about the Nomu rubs from my South African blogger friends, I was pretty excited to get my hands on some…
We rubbed a generous amount over chicken marylands and roasted them in the oven until golden brown. Absolutely delicious…
In my kitchen…
…are Ikea bag clips, our preferred method of resealing bags. They work brilliantly, even after an extended period in the freezer…
Finally, in my kitchen…
…is my new food processor. It has been sitting on the bench sit it arrived, so Pete finally capitulated and found it a permanent spot to live!
. . . . .
Tell me, what’s happening in your kitchen this month?
If you’d like to do an In My Kitchen post on your own blog, please feel free to use this format, and to leave a comment here linking back to your post. We’d love to see what’s happening in your kitchen this month!
. . . . .
Here are this month’s posts…
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
Shirley @ The Making of Paradise
Lizzy @ Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things
I love your kitchen dear Celia… and your blog too. These are all so nice and interesting… especially the food news… I loved your first one, white is amazing. Thank you dear Celia, always I want to join to this “In my kitchen this month”… Maybe this month I catch it… Have a nice and enjoyable days in your lovely kitchen and days… Love, nia
Nia, I would LOVE to see what’s in your kitchen!! :) Thank you for always stopping by, it always so nice to hear from you! x
So many great things, the tasty spoons are cute but you have reminded me that I meant to buy some saffron bulbs to plant. So thank you!!
Claire, my lovely friend Becca sent me some saffron bulbs, but they didn’t grow! I’m not sure Sydney is the best climate for them. Di and Ian are in a slightly colder part of NSW. The tasting spoons are a joy – I just like looking at them!
Celia, great post again… you know, in the lab we have the exact same kind of closures for bags – they cost an arm and a leg, come in all sorts of sizes. They do work extremely well…
(now you are tempting me to grab a few and take home…. :-)
Sally, the Ikea ones are really quite cheap, and they do work very well. I’m sure they’ll wear out eventually, but so far we haven’t had a single on break!
You have such beautiful things. My kitchen’s so …. well, drab!
Darling, surely your kitchen is festooned with your gorgeous artwork? I can’t believe it would be drab!
I love your tasting spoons, I do – can’t help but love different wood shown off that way.
We have a 5200 Magimix, we got it in 2008 and have loved loved loved it since. Right up until this month, when the spindle was shredded to oblivion when we put something too solid in. I say “too solid” but had really believed the Magimix would be fine with it, as it’s proved to have a strong motor that can make quick work of most things. But the cubes of frozen beer were too much for it. Luckily, Pete was able to get a replacement spindle for a tenner and when he replaced it, we were relieved that the driveshaft seemed fine and it’s operation again now. But somehow I’ve fallen a tiny bit out of love with the machine now. It’s just not going to be the same…
So, back to what is happening in my kitchen. As usual I have a huge pile of recipe books to review, and need to get on with doing so.
Am cooking up a comforting stew for dinner with friends on Friday…
Kavey, that was the one thing we were warned about on the Magimix – that the motor was so powerful that if we pushed it too hard or too long, it would burn out the plastic bits. Shame the bits weren’t still covered under warranty – apparently the new machines comes with a 30 year warranty on the motor (wish I could get a 30 year warranty on MY motor), but I think the parts are only covered for a few years…
Stew for dinner sounds grand!
Oh no wait, it wasn’t frozen beer, it was my lemon sorbet, that’s what broke the Magimix. I knew it was one of the things we made for my sorbet/spoom challenge!!!
What a lovely colander and I love the way the lemons look. My post is scheduled for tomorrow xox
Tandy, loved your post, thank you for playing!
I love when you do this series.. you’ve always got such a unique array of foods and “stuff” in your kitchen.. it’s such a happy place to be!!
Smidge, I keep thinking I’m going to run out of things to show you all, but every month there’s something new!
I love that about you and your kitchen!
Your kitchen is so full of beautiful gadgetry and equipment – that colander has stolen my heart :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you! The colander is really beautiful, I’m quite in love with it!
Hi Celia, such an assortment of good things in your kitchen this month! Great minds on the paella, in my kitchen is a yet to be christened paella pan, Spanish rice and saffron mix from Herbie’s. Waiting for the opportunity for Peter to be home (he is away with work) and for my daughter and her beau to come over, so we can enjoy it together.
Glad to hear the food processor now has a home on the bench. Love the saffron and the little spoons!
Is is really May, already?!!!
Lizzy, I’ve never tried the Herbie’s saffron mix – must pick some up next time I’m in the shop. It’s one of my favourite shops, by the way! Look forward to seeing what you christen your new pan with!
I’m still waiting for the opportunity! It’s a big pan (too big for just the two of us) and I want to make the paella when my daughter and her beau come over for dinner. Soon…… ; )
I just love that colander! That should be on display too just like the food processor. I have my Kitchen Aid on my bench permanently. It’s just so much easier than having to bend down and drag it and its weight out of a cupboard. How kind of your friends to share their little harvest. I didn’t know you could grow saffron in Sydney xx
Charlie, the colander has pride of place on the bench – which is just as well, because it’s ceramic and it would probably be a bugger to store. Our friends have a farm up in the mountains, which is a bit cooler and drier than Sydney. Seems to be as good for saffron as it is for their garlic crops!
That colander looks like it might walk away. It reminds me on an animated teapot or something caught in mid stride.
Greg, it was actually tricky to photograph, as it has three legs, so the handles always look a bit skewiff in the photos. It does have a lot of personality – like something from the Beauty and the Beast Disney movie!
I had no idea one could grow saffron in the home garden, but then why not? I should Google and learn more. Love that colander. Are the tasting spoons made from Australian timbers?
Norma, not Australian timbers, I don’t think. Here’s the link:
http://www.dunlinhome.com/products/set-of-six-tasting-spoons
These are the timbers: rosewood, robles, mamales, coconut, mahogany and bayong.
I’ll update it to the post as well, thank you!
The coconut timber surprised me, somehow I did not think one could build anything out of coconut tree. Learnt something new, thanks.
So many good things Celia! Home grown saffron is very special indeed, what an amazing gift. The Falk Salt has me intrigued…I might have to find some of this myself. Thanks again for providing this fun foodie tour. My post is linked.
Jane, thanks for playing! I’ve been having great fun with the Falk Salts – Moo seems to have tracked down a couple of great sources for them in Adelaide. They’re about $8/tub.
Hi Celia
I, too, never knew you could grow saffron here. I would love to know what the plant is and what type of conditions it needs. Your kitchen is as wonderful as ever. My favourites this month (I have already oohed and aahed over your Magimix) are those absolutely gorgeous tasting spoons.
I have posted my “In My Kitchen” just now at passionfruitgarden.com
Glenda, I’m always in awe of the stuff in your kitchen! I think you can buy saffron crocuses to plant, although I’m not sure from where. Perhaps Diggers might have them?
I’ve got the black Falksalt and it is really tasty. Your kitchen is always so interesting, I steal that colander with my eyes!
Sue, the colander is from Donna Hay’s range, and it really is incredibly elegant!
I had a lovely time visiting your kitchen. :-)
It’s very kind of you to visit, thanks Sponge!
Those tasting spoons are SO lovely! Where are they from? My kitchen is currently still all packed in boxes that are being shipped from the US to AU at this very moment. I miss my KitchenAid a whole lot!
SK, the spoons are from Dunlin – here’s the link:
http://www.dunlinhome.com/products/set-of-six-tasting-spoons
They’re very elegant (and expensive), so it was a treat to get them as a gift, as it’s not something I’d have indulged myself with otherwise!
What lovely lovely treasures this month Celia! I don’t know what I love the most :)
My Saffron has just started flowering this week, and I’ve planned a celebratory paella too!
Love these posts sweetie!
Darling, I’m so sorry, but the crocus bulbs you sent me never came up! We’ve had so much wet weather that I suspect they might have rotted in the ground. I’m so glad to hear yours are flowering!!
Oh what a spanking shame Celia! I agree that they don’t like to get soggy, mine are in a wine barrel so nicely off the ground. I’m so sorry :(
Oh darling, I should be apologising to you!! I’m sure we didn’t take care of them properly.. xx
You’re very welcome, it’s the least I could do after the amazing things that you’ve given me! And you’ll have to let me know what you think of them. The La Barre vinegar is divine (in my humble opinion).
Thanks again, love! So far we’ve tried the mint sauce and the rub, and both have been excellent!
Look at all of that! Didn’t know you could home-grow saffron. I’m also a big fan of the Ikea kitchen clips – copies are just not as good. Very jealous of your new magimix too. In our kitchen is truffle salt which smells so strong that it is now stored in two plastic bags. Also my first ever batch of marmalade with oranges from Nice!
Oooh marmalade, how did it go, Anna? The Ikea clips are really good – I must get another bag next time we’re there…
I so agree about those Ikea bag clips; they’re brilliant. I have several bags of them, all different sizes. My favourite thing in your kitchen this month has to be those spoons. They are gorgeous!
Misk, over here the clips come in two sizes in the one bag, and we use them for just about everything!
I always wondered what those Ikea bag clips were like to use! Will have to get me some next time I’m down that way (or bribe someone who’s going sooner!). Your spoons are beautiful – will you use them? I have a tendency to not use my nice things like that…though that defeats the purpose though doesn’t it?
I love your kitchen!
(ps, I’m actually early with my IMK post this month – wonders will never cease!!)
Shelley, I’m really tempted to keep the spoons as treasure – not because I don’t like to use things, because I really do, but these are so visually and texturally appealing that I kind of want to keep them for looking at, if that makes sense?
I love the home grown saffron
and the bowl it’s in!
Thank you! The bowl came from here:
[…] you are interested in seeing what is in other bloggers kitchens, go to Celia’s blog, and have a […]
I LOVE those tasting spoons!!!
And the clips from IKEA- I usually use a clothes pin- but these are really special! No IKEA nearby- I’ll have to see if I can get my son to buy me some!
I think the colander is a star in it’s own right and definitely steals the show- but really, Celia, You are the star in your kitchen and on your blog.
I put up a post today, as well- thanks again for sharing your spotlight!
Heidi, there is no greater love that a son can show for his mother than braving Ikea! I love seeing what’s in your kitchen, Heidi, especially when it’s incredibly cute small people!! xx
I agree with Heidiannie, That colander is adorable. I’d find myself talking to it. :-)
Maz
Maz, it really is the sort of thing you’d like, I’m sure. ;-)
Home grown saffron is rather impressive. Tiny strips of red gold!
Brydie, it was tasty too! That little bit was enough for the whole paella!
I am completely in love with those little wooden spoons though i was taught not to taste from a wooden spoon as wood absorbs flavours, however i would be happy to have a wee sip from those gorgeous spoons.. c
Celi, see, I’m torn about that too. I don’t want them to end up smelling like fish, or garlic. My latest thing is try to arrange them in different ways to see what pretty colour combinations I can come up with! :)
Hi, lovey things again! The bag clips also come from Lakeland in UK, and Nomu is great – veggie one and Moroccan are the best, good for roast veg of all sorts! Couldn’t do without it!
Allison
Allison, how nice to put a name to a face, thank you! The Nomu rub was delicious – last night I used it to flavour a bit pot of pasta soup!
Love those tasting spoons!
Christie, they’re just too cute, aren’t they?
That white collander is a beautiful one & those salts look cool too. I have the same reusuable clips from ikea. I agree, they are very good! :)
I really love those Ikea clips. They’re used on almost everything now! :)
Hello there – The original post for the homemade apple pectin mentions that it is now closed for comments, so I decided to leave it here. Sorry if this is out of place. Recently, I’ve been cooking jams and marmalades at home by using your homemade apple pectin recipe. From what I’ve read so far, people are saying it is a great way to reduce the sugar ratio in recipes. I’ve successfully reduced the sugar by %60 and the results are fantastic, but I’m not sure if the ratio of sugar in the final product is actually reduced. Here’s what made me think this way: I still boil the jams until 220 F, which is considered the right temperature for the jam to set. Harold McGee states in “On Food and Cooking” that a jam at 220 F indicates that the sugar concentration has reached 65%. So no matter how much sugar we use, a jam at 220 F indicates that it is 65% sugar. If I had used more sugar, maybe the jam would have reached the same temperature earlier. Am I missing something? Does the temperature at which the jam would set change when you use homemade apple pectin? I’d really appreciate if you can share your thoughts on this.
Jill, thanks for stopping by. Here’s what Pete says:
For a fixed amount of fruit, you can either end up with a larger quantity of jam by adding lots of sugar, or a smaller quantity of jam relying more on the sugar that already exists in the fruit. Either way, as you say, the final proportion of sugar is probably going to still be the same, but the taste will be different with less added sugar, because there’s more fruit in each spoonful of jam. If you add a whole lot of sugar, you end up with very sweet sticky jam which is not necessarily fruity. In addition the proportion of sucrose (white sugar) to fruit sugars (fructose) will be different, and these affect the final taste of the jam as well.
Pete starts with a minimum amount of sugar when he makes a jam, and then adds more if necessary for taste. The advantage of using apple pectin (in our opinion) is that it can be boiled for a long time (unlike commercial pectin) and this allows for more finessing of the final jam.
We find that because the fruit is much more concentrated in our jams, they taste less sugary (they’re still sweet, but they don’t just taste like sugar as some commercial jams do).
I hope that all makes sense.. :)
Celia this makes perfect sense. Thanks a lot for taking the time to respond in such great detail. And thanks to Pete!
Most welcome! Have fun! :)
Mrs N left the tuna out of the tuna loaf tonight. But I never told you that!
Never heard a word about it, Cosmo.. ;-)
Celia you always have the BEST IMK posts! I absolutely love your tasting spoons – just too gorgeous for words.
:-) Mandy
Mandy, thank you! They’re almost to gorgeous to use! :)
Home grown saffrons sounds and looks wonderful. I live near Saffron Walden so maybe I should try to produce my own as obviously we’re in the right area. Inspired by Jane at The Shady Baker and then your blog, I’ve joined in too and put up a post today.
Wonderful!! Thank you for playing, Anne! :)
My IMK for May is up :) brace yourself!
Lovely! And naughty too! :)
Love those tasting spoons, they’re beautiful Celia. Those salts look really interesting too, I don’t think I’ve ever had flavoured salt but I may have to rectify that! I couldn’t live without my Klippits (well I could but you know what I mean) I have a little pot of them in my kitchen to ensure I’m never without one – so useful!
[…] If you would like to peer into some kitchens from around the world visit Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial […]
[…] look forward to the start of each month because that’s when Celia’s Fig Jam and Lime Cordial features “In My Kitchen”. I suspect that I’m a closet snoopy-boots; I love seeing what […]
Lovely blog! I found you through Misky. Your photographs are beautiful!
Thank you so much for stopping by! :)
Talk about the gift of giving – so lovely to read everyone’s comments on my gifts….I hope you do find a use for those spoons – I was imagining you and Pete tasting jams ? Or in a tall chutney bottle as a serving spoon for the table? A bit like wooden salad bowl servers I think they wood (I mean would -how funny!) keep on keeping on with a bit of oil here and there. nicxx
Nic, the colander has pride of place on the bench and we use it everyday! And the spoons are very gorgeous indeed, I’m sure I’ll figure out what to do with them once I stop adoring them so much! Thanks again, darling. :) xx
Gorgeous tasting spoons and how wonderful to get some home grown saffron. I’ve loved the clips we got from Lakeland a few years ago and never seem to have enough of them – I don’t have any turquoise ones though. Trying to find space for new things in the kitchen is a real trial, so well done for finding a home for your food processor.
Choc, it really is great to have the FP on the bench all the time. It’s quite heavy! :) The homegrown saffron was a real treat…
Lovely post Celia. Must get my hands on some of those Ikea bag clips next time I’m in Sydney.
Thanks Christine! :)
[…] you enjoyed the peep into my kitchen this month. As aways this foodie voyeurism is inspired by Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Oiling the work surface for Dan Lepard’s method of gentle kneading of this walnut studded […]
[…] well. This is me, joining in the fun with Celia, of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial who does a monthly feature called ‘In My Kitchen’. Thanks for the inspiration […]
[…] https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2012/05/01/in-my-kitchen-may-2012/ […]
I love those spoons and want your pot of smoked salt. Hope you are enjoying your new food processor.
I have put up an In My Kitchen post on my blog at http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/in-my-kitchen-may-2012.html. It is my first time doing IMK – though I have often admired IMK posts and thought of doing one so am glad I have done so finally!
[…] wonderful idea of sharing some items in her kitchen each month. From what I understand, Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial started this idea so head over to their blogs as see what they are sharing this month […]
[…] I have met some amazing people like Barbara in Sweden who writes My Italian Smorgasbord and Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. […]