In My Kitchen, December 2011

December 11, 2011 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

In my kitchen…

…is a bouquet of scented gardenias from Lisa’s garden…

We haven’t grown gardenias for years, and I’d forgotten how beautiful they were…

In my kitchen…

…is a jar of Ottolenghi strawberry jam. Lisa bought it for me as a souvenir when she was in London and packed it in her husband’s shoe to bring it home. Ernie wasn’t happy…

In my kitchen…

…are six new glasses, picked up for $1 each at the Turkish supermarket in Auburn. The design is moulded into the glass, rather than printed on…

In my kitchen…

…is a very special Christmas present from our friend Moo. He flew in from Adelaide last week with this enormous box in his hand luggage…

Small Man opened it to find more than five kilos of huge, freshly picked South Australian cherries. He was nearly speechless with excitement…

In my kitchen…

…are two new UK cookbooks – Dan Lepard’s Short & Sweet, and River Cottage Veg Everyday.

If you’re in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or India and haven’t heard about the free shipping deal at Amazon UK, do have a look! It’s currently running until mid-January 2012 and applies to orders over £25. Make sure you select the free shipping option when you’re checking out…

In my kitchen…

…are Thumb Sumos, a gift from my little sister. Maude’s three year old has figured out that she can pop them onto either her fingers or her toes…

…OR stick one sumo’s head inside the other one’s thumb hole! (Doesn’t he look smug?)

. . . . .

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!

. . . . .

In My Kitchen posts, December 2011

Christine @ Invisible Spice

C @ Cakes, Crumbs and Cooking

Shelley @ All Litten Up

Sally @ Bewitching Kitchen

Sally@ My Custard Pie

Karen @ Soul Kitchen Blog

Claire @ Claire K Creations

Heidi @ Steps on the Journey

Cecilia @ The Kitchen’s Garden

Sue @ Sous Chef

Lizzy @ Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things

Cindy @ The Only Cin

Tandy @ Lavender and Lime

Mandy @ The Complete Cookbook

Posted in In My Kitchen | Tagged Dan Lepard Short and Sweet, gardenias, ottolenghi jam, River Cottage Veg Everyday, South Australia cherries, thumb sumo | 71 Comments

71 Responses

on December 11, 2011 at 12:15 am heidi

Celia-
I Love the GArdenias! They are so pristine in the white beauty and they smell like an overpowering Heaven!
I’ve never seen the thumbsums- but they look like a lot of fun for little hands!
And the cherries- you have such generous friends!!!
I did an IMK post this month as well!
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Heidi! There’s treasure in your kitchen this month! :)
on December 11, 2011 at 12:17 am ceciliag

I love gardenias too, their scent is so heady so rich that it always catches me by surprise. And those cherries, wow, I look forward to seeing what you all do with those. i love eating them fresh!.. c
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Celi, we won’t be doing anything with the cherries, they’ve almost all been eaten! Small Man has been eating a giant bowl twice a day.. :)
on December 11, 2011 at 12:48 am thecompletecookbook

Celia, it is always such a treat seeing what is in your kitchen and this month is no exception! Your gardenias are magnificent and I love your new glasses!
I can only imagine the deliciousness that you are going to create with those perfect cherries.
:-) Mandy
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Mandy! The glasses are very pretty – I’m quite chuffed with them!
on December 11, 2011 at 2:45 am emily @ wellcookedlife.com

Gardenias AND cherries!? Lovely.
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I know, Em. I feel rich! :)
on December 11, 2011 at 3:54 am Joanna

I don’t think I know what gardenias smell of, but I associate the name with glamour. Moo is a true friend, 5 kilos of cherries, wowsa :)
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jo, he really is a true friend. His company had booked him onto the flight without any baggage allowance, so he had to carry the cherries in his hand luggage!
on December 11, 2011 at 5:01 am Just A Smidgen

I love this blog post.. Celia, you are one lucky woman to have those flowers and those cherries. The sumo’s are hilarious as well. Let me know how those cookbooks work out as well? I might need an extra pantry for all of my cookbooks, but why stop now?
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Smidge, the books are great – I’ve made a few things from the River Cottage one already, and I’ve made heaps of Dan’s Guardian recipes in the past, some of which are in this new book!
on December 11, 2011 at 6:15 am Lizzy (Good Things)

Ah, gardenias, aren’t they just stunning. And such a beautiful parcel of cherries, which reminds me, I must take my two boxes out of the fridge… baking today! Love the sumo wrestlers, how cute is that!? The glasses are very pretty too. Let me know please what the books are like! Always a delight to pop in and see what’s happening in your kitchen Celia. It’s delicious.
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Lizzy! The gardenias were amazing, it’s been so long that I’d forgotten how perfumed they were, and the whole dining room was filled with this scent!
on December 11, 2011 at 6:37 am Debra Kolkka

I like the look of that jam – and those cherries. You have true friends.
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Indeed I do, Deb! I’m blessed.. :)
on December 11, 2011 at 7:31 am Sally

Those two books are at the very top of my cookery book wish list. Wish amazon would ship free to the UAE! Lovely to look inside your kitchen Celia.
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sally, both books are great, particularly the RCV one!
on December 11, 2011 at 7:36 am lindawoodrow

Ooo the books. Know what hint I’m dropping for Christmas.
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You’ll love them, Linda! :)
on December 11, 2011 at 7:46 am tania@mykitchenstories

Yes my favourite time of year , Gardenia time……. so many presents!!!!!!
- on December 12, 2011 at 4:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Tania, there really was so many presents this month! All of them wonderful too!
on December 11, 2011 at 8:22 am C

I love those swirly glasses – very pretty, and your gardenias are gorgeous too. Those cherries look amazing, I’m very much looking forward to seeing what you do with some of them – if there are any left from just eating them as they are. I’m also looking forward to seeing what you make from H F-W’s Veg. I’ve recently bought it and although I haven’t made anything yet, there are lots of inspiring ideas in there.
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:37 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  C, the cherries are almost all gone! :) I’ve made the Cambodian wedding dip and the baked ratatouille from the RCV book – it’s got some wonderful and very simple recipes in it!
on December 11, 2011 at 8:53 am Amanda

Love your gardenia’s Celia. We have some in pots in the back and their scent is very evocative for me. They are a strong reminder of someone I loved very much and lost tragically and way too early.
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:38 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Amanda, it’s lovely that you have a reminder of your friend in the backyard. I was watching a Heston special last night, and he commented that scent is really the most powerful memory trigger…
on December 11, 2011 at 9:10 am Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Wow, you always make this such a fun feature!
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:38 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Greg! :)
on December 11, 2011 at 9:26 am Amanda Scott

I often order books form the uk amazon site its a g8 price and really fast. Im so jealous the box of cherries look just lovely!! I eat so many last year around xmas I had a sore tummy, once you start you just cant stop. I have spent the last few days making strawberry and vanilla jam so my house smells amazing and the bright pink jam is just staring at me to open and pour all over my vanilla ice cream. It always seems like you have made to much but by march we run out !!! Have you made any Xmas treats ? do you make the same every year or try new things Amanda Jaynex Auckland NZ
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Amanda, thanks for stopping by! We’ve been busy this year, so our Christmas cooking is running a little late, but we did make a start over the weekend. We tend to do both – make favourites and also experiment with a couple of new things each year!
on December 11, 2011 at 9:37 am Ann Hall

I got those two books from Amazon UK a few weeks ago – they are fantastic.
You are going to love them!
I am full of envy for those cherries – they are so expensive here in Perth. (Not Scotland, Australia!)
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Ann, it’s been a funny old December, hasn’t it? Over here on the east coast we’ve had rain, rain and more rain – it’s bucketing down now as I type. I think it’s made a dent on the stonefruit, which is a shame, as it was promising to be a great year!
on December 11, 2011 at 9:40 am InTolerant Chef

In my kitchen are…. meals delivered by some lovely friends to get me through the first hard days after surgery… lots of morphine :-) …. and stacks of blog posts and emails that need replying…
Due to using only one finger of my left hand to type, I’m only replying to the most important yours is on the list of course :-)
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, you poor thing, get better soon! I’ve been thinking of you – I hope the kids and BigJ are making a big fuss over you!
on December 11, 2011 at 12:26 pm Ros

Hi. First visit to your blog. Great find, this!! I was googling to get some guidance on how long to cook fruit and nut Christmas cakes in small loaf tins. My recipe (from at least 25 years ago, probably Vogue entertaining or Gourmet magazine) doesn’t give times for smaller tins and I’m using a fan-forced oven for the first time.

I follow 101cookbooks but am delighted to find a ‘local’ blog, even if not Melbourne. Great photos. Wish my chooks would stand still so I could match your closeup shot. I’ll look forward to browsing more of your recipes when I get a chance.
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks for stopping by, Ros! We were recently in Melbourne – wonderful city for eating! :)
on December 11, 2011 at 12:53 pm Little Sister

You LIKE THUMB SUMOS…. Hooray!. They don’t have much to do with your kitchen or your garden though……
Love, lots lots, to you and your three boys xxxx
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Everything in our house ends up in the kitchen eventually.. ;-)
  
  Thank you for the sumos darling – did you know that if you stack them like in the bottom photo, you can then squeeze the top one and shoot the bottom one across the room? ;-)
on December 11, 2011 at 3:36 pm Manuela

The flowers sure are pretty. You have cherries? I imagine you’ll make some tasty treats, if they’re not eaten first! Have you ever made cherry jam? Interesting post, as always.
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Manuela! We’ve made cherry jam in the past, but when the cherries are really perfect like Moo’s were, they just get eaten! I shall go see if Small Man has left me any to bake with.. ;-)
on December 11, 2011 at 4:05 pm Marilyn

I am so jealous! I want “Veg Everyday” You must try every recipe in the book and send me a full report. :-)

The Jam look so elegant. Love the whole packaging.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Maz.
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maz, as a vegetarian, you would LOVE RCV! Have you watched the series? It’s not out here yet (it might be on Fox, but we don’t have cable tv), but I recently found the whole series on youtube here:
  - on December 16, 2011 at 5:15 pm Marilyn
    
    Sweet! I’ll watch it as soon as I get back from my walkabout.
    
    Maz.
on December 11, 2011 at 4:42 pm theonlycin

Love love LOVE the glasses. LMAO at the Sumos :)
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Cindy! I fell in love with the glasses straight away too. They’re only small – about 200ml – but so sweet. And I love that the design won’t wash off!
on December 11, 2011 at 6:00 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

Celia those cherries! 5 kilo’s!!!! we were just talking today about cherries and the fact that they are indeed a fine thing. A good one is to die for. I have grand plans of eating only cherries at christmas.
- on December 11, 2011 at 6:02 pm cityhippyfarmgirl
  
  oh and you are NOT helping my effort of trying not to get that Dan Lepard book!
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Brydie, you and Small Man would get along well. A cherry only Christmas would be his idea of heaven!
  
  And if you’re going to get Dan’s book, do it soon, before the amazon free shipping expires! :)
on December 12, 2011 at 7:08 am teawithhazel

i love the gardenias most celia..they have poignant memories for me..when i lived in athens single refrigerated gardenias were available from a local florist and because i loved them so much my husband would buy me one every now and again to wear..

buying a box of the best cherries is a christmas tradition in our family..they are so pretty and festive..and..well..i just love them to bits..even looking at them is enough for me..
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, the cherries are so beautiful, I know exactly what you mean. Aren’t we lucky to live in a country where prawns and cherries = Christmas? :)
  
  Lovely story about the gardenias.. :)
on December 12, 2011 at 11:00 am Sue

Whenever I smell gardenias I am instantly transported back to the night my husband -to- be proposed – they were growing along the deck of the restaurant we went to so are a very special memory. He even now will present me with one and a kiss just to say ‘I love you’!
Must do myself an in the kitchen too though I dont think I am going to find cherries in their sadly :-)
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:29 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sue, you and Jane (above) both have such romantic tales about gardenias! I hope you’re both growing them in your gardens.. :)
  
  Do you have a blog? I’d love to read it – please let me know if you do an IMK and I’ll add you to the list!
on December 12, 2011 at 12:40 pm spiceandmore

I love a bowl of cold cherries….fat and juicy and totally delicious! I bought some fantastic cherries at the Prymont markets a week or so ago – the growers from Young. Makes me want to go to Young, with a big, big bag to fill with cherries!
- on December 12, 2011 at 5:30 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  SG, I haven’t heard about Young’s season, but I’m seeing Pete’s aunt soon, and they live there, so I’m sure we’ll get an update. Hopefully the rain hasn’t caused too much harm!
on December 12, 2011 at 3:47 pm Bruisemouse

I bought myself the new Hugh book and absolutely love it. I have made about 8 dishes out of it already and these have been wonderful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
- on December 12, 2011 at 7:49 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! I’ve only had it a little while, but I love it already! :)
  - on December 13, 2011 at 5:03 am Bruisemouse
    
    I just watched the whole series on YouTube.
    - on December 13, 2011 at 6:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
      
      Mouse, we did too! Wasn’t it great? :)
on December 12, 2011 at 5:52 pm Tandy

I NEED those thumb sumo’s as Dave and I still play thumb wars :) Lovely cherries you got!
- on December 12, 2011 at 7:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Tandy, I hope you can find them, they’re great fun. Would you be red or blue? ;-)
  - on December 13, 2011 at 8:29 pm Tandy
    
    Blue for me!
    - on December 14, 2011 at 11:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
      
      Me too! :)
on December 12, 2011 at 11:28 pm Chopinand @ ChopinandMysaucepan

Dear Celia,

I think I would have enjoyed the look on Small Man’s face when he saw those cherries. I nearly didn’t recognise HFW on his cookbook with that haircut!
- on December 13, 2011 at 6:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Chopinand, doesn’t Hugh look different! I think it suits him too. He’s much thinner in the veg series as well – there’s a YouTube link in one of the comments above if you haven’t watched it (it hasn’t free to air tv here yet).
  
  Small Man was soooo happy. The cherries are now all gone – mostly into Small Man!
on December 13, 2011 at 6:16 am Choclette

Ooh, ooh, ooh, it’s all so exciting. I was almost squealing with delight at those beautiful flowers – something especially appealing in that bright green that we just don’t get at this time of year. And then I saw the cherries, what a super present. So glad you finally got your copy of Short and Sweet, you too can now join in the rave reviews ;-)

Apologies for not being so attentive to your wonderful blog these days, just finding it very hard to keep up with everything.
- on December 13, 2011 at 6:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Choc, it’s such a busy time of year, thanks for stopping by! I was checking in on your blog at almost exactly the same time! :) The gardenias were beautiful – and just as exciting for us, as we don’t grow them anymore (not that they ever did well in our yard, for some reason). And yes, Short and Sweet finally came, and I didn’t have to fly to the UK to pick it up! :)
on December 14, 2011 at 6:14 am sallybr

Love the flowers, love the glasses, the books, the everything…

Celia, I promise I’ll be making a post about my kitchen this month…. I promise! There, I made the public commitment…. now I MUST do it ;-)
- on December 14, 2011 at 6:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Looking forward to it, Sally! :)
on December 15, 2011 at 8:28 pm In My Kitchen – December 2011 | Soul Kitchen Blog

[…] to my travels to Sri Lanka I haven’t done one of these postings (inspired by Fig and Lime Cordial) for a few months. Its been a busy few weeks since we got back. I also visited the Farmers Markets […]
on December 17, 2011 at 5:40 pm In my kitchen in December… « My Custard Pie

[…] always Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial has some lovely things in her kitchen. What’s in yours this December? Share […]
on December 17, 2011 at 5:44 pm Sally

Finally….here’s mine Celia! http://mycustardpie.com/2011/12/17/in-my-kitchen-in-december/