Happy New Year!
How was your Christmas?
Ours was filled with family, friends and oodles of food! Grab a cup of tea and pull up a chair, there’s lots to share with you in the kitchen this month…
. . . . .
In my kitchen…
…is a surprise treat from Jane at The Shady Baker – crushed olives produced by a friend of hers, and a couple of her large, homegrown garlic corms…
In my kitchen…
…are Turkish Apple teas from T2, a gift from my darling friend Becca, the InTolerant Chef…
The powdered tea is similar to one I’ve tried before, but the chunky version is completely new to me, and makes a lovely, gentle brew…
In my kitchen…
…is a new lime-wood cutting board that I picked up at Chefs’ Warehouse. There are two sizes available – this is the smaller one – and at 39cm x 59cm (15½” x 23″), it’s enormous. I took this photo before it was used, because I knew the light coloured timber would never be as pristine again…
The board has a wooden lip that wedges against the bench to prevent it from sliding around when in use. The only downside is that it just barely fits into the sink, which means the kitchen floor gets a soaking every time I wash it. Just as well I bought the small one…
In my kitchen…
…is a giant tromboncino. We let one grow to see just how big they could get. Weighing in at two and a half kilos (five and a half pounds), it wasn’t as tasty as the smaller fruit, although it did make a lovely soup when combined with butternut pumpkin…
In my kitchen…
…are two loaves of black-salt encrusted sourdough, baked in a covered tin…
I love the way the salt embeds into the crust, like a mosaic…
In my kitchen…
…is a gift from Pete’s Aunt Liz – a tasting set of honeys…
I don’t think I’ve ever tried Murrumbidgee Bluebell honey before!
In my kitchen…
…is a jarrah cutting board, made for me by Uncle Steve.
After reading Glenda’s December IMK post, I went on a quest for a wooden serving board. My lovely brother-in-law heard me carrying on about it (to be honest, he could hardly not have heard me), and presented me with this one as a Christmas gift…
The long ends of the board are shaped, and it’s finished with olive oil.
Gregory, Ray and CC – my apologies, but Uncle Steve is now my all-time favourite brother-in-law…
In my kitchen…
…is a set of chicken pasta bowls, which I couldn’t pass up at the pre-Christmas sales…
In my kitchen…
…is a very cute gift from Jan and Peter, who came to visit last week…
It’s a chocolate notepad!
In my kitchen…
…is a gift from the lovely Lorraine. She knew how excited I’d be to have gold bricks of fabulous New Zealand butter to play with…
In my kitchen…
…is a lemon tea towel from my neighbour Nic, and an embroidered egg cozy from Debra of Bagni di Lucca…
Finally, in my kitchen…
…are two new cookbooks – the Simply Ming cookbook was a gift from Pete, and the François Payard one was a Christmas present from Maude…
. . . . .
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 do so. We’d love to see what’s happening in your kitchen this month! Please link back to this blog, and let us know when your post is up, and we’ll add it to our monthly listing.
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Is there any room left in your kitchen for you? ;)
Such generous friends – those foodie gifts look amazing! I’m really liking the look of that Simply Ming cookbook; please do let us know your thoughts on it.
Kate, the kitchen is really full at the moment! :) I received both the Simply Ming cookbook AND his latest DVD – the DVD is fabulous. Haven’t made anything out of the book yet…
Have *finally* got around to doing my own “In my kitchen” post!!
http://fullheartedlife.com/?p=67
That is a round up made in heaven! Gorgeous stuff, you have amazing friends, but I am not surprised, because you ARE an amazing friend, and what goes around, comes around
Happy New Year!!!!!!!
Happy New Year to you and Phil too, darling! Thank you so much for the lovely card! It’s such a joy to have you as my friend all the way on the other side of the world! xx
Love Ming…you’ll have to update about how you like the cookbook! Looks like a bunch of lovely presents. Happy New Year, Celia!!
Abby, I’m a Ming fan from way back, so it was lovely to get his latest book and DVD. Hope you and your lovely family are having a great 2013 so far!
Oooh, what a lot of lovely goodies. I particularly love those boards, and having a lip to stop it sliding is an excellent idea. My favourite absolutely has to be those pasta bowls though – fantastic.
Happy New Year to all your family Celia – I hope it’s fantastic and filled with many wonderful things for you all.
Hi Caroline! Happy New Year to you too – I hope 2013 is great for all of us! The pasta bowls were irresistible, and just $20 for the whole set! The large board is actually a pastry board, and apparently the lip is a very traditional design. I just love having all the space! :)
Such lovely gifts Celia. I think my absolute favourite is the turquoise lemon tea towel – I do so love vibrant colours. We’ve just eaten a tromboncino that came from a friend in Italy – his was curved though. Like you, we weren’t that impressed with the taste, but we made some quite tasty soup with a few other things thrown in. Happy New Year again :)
Hi Choc! Happy New Year! The tromboncinos are much nicer when picked smaller – like a tasty zucchini – but I find them a bit flavourless when they get really huge. I think if they grow with an obstruction in the way, they curl up! :)
All wonderfully practical, delicious an useful items. All the very best to you and your family.
Thanks Norma, and to you and your family as well! I hope you get a chance to grow the trombies, they’re so much fun!
[…] your kitchen and cooking adventures. To join in with the “In My Kitchen” fun, just pop over to Celia’s Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for […]
It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!!! Such lovely gifts.
Thanks Anna! Indeed, I’m feeling very blessed with so much treasure in the kitchen!
Here is my version of “In My Kitchen” – http://annashortcakes.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/in-my-kitchen-january-2013/
Thanks for the inspiration!
Anna, that’s fantastic! Thanks for joining in! :)
I love the chicken things and the cutting board! Such wonderful treasures. I’ve posted my favourite kitchen items for January on Misk Cook just now. http://miskcooks.com/2012/12/31/in-my-kitchen-january-2013/
Thanks Misky! Happy New Year! I am slowly becoming a collector of mad chicken kitchenware! :)
It’s cluckingly lovely, Celia!
Thank goodness looks like we’re in for a great year of your inspirational recipes and garden ideas, all the best to you and your family for 2013.
Thanks Marilyn, and Happy New Year to you too! It’s a busy time of year at the moment, so I haven’t been online as much as I normally am.. :)
I love those pasta bowls…and the beautiful wooden boards. It seems a shame to actually use them….and don’t we all need a few new cook books?
Happy New Year. The first day of 2013 is looking might fine here.
Happy New Year Deb!! The large chopping board is already looking well and truly used.. :)
Happy new year love! Those chicken plates are soooooooo gorgeous. And those T2 blends are good too, if only I could make them taste as wonderful as they did in the store! Have a wonderful 2013 and may it bring only good things your way… and happy new year to all your blog visitors too ; D
Lizzy, Happy New Year! Maybe you can find the chicken plates – they’re a Maxwell and Williams design, and the set was on special for just $20!
Here’s the link: M&W Ancona Set
Another lovely roundup from you, my friend. I’m impressed with how organised you are. I do love that sweet egg cover, too …..
Amanda, isn’t it great? Deb has such a good eye for things! I’m not that organised, I haven’t found a home for everything yet! :)
Yes, there’s so much going on in your kitchen and I do wonder where you find the space for all your new things. Perhaps you’re like me and the contents of the cupboards constantly have to be re-juggled. I love the look of the honey and I know that butter and it’s very good and I’m now realising I need new chopping boards too and those gorgeous chicken plates are a definite must-have. Happy New Year, Celia xx
Shhhh Charlie, don’t mention storage too loudly in front of Pete! New chopping boards – ours were getting very grotty indeed, so it was time for new ones! :)
Uncle Steve’s board is total wow!
Rose, isn’t he just the best? I was so excited to receive it! Hope you’re having a great New Year!
Just how big is your kitchen, Celia? You sure did receive some lovely gifts, that carving board is a real beauty. I’m amazed that tromboncino grew so large. I would have expected it to begin to rot on the vine before then. I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year, Celia.
John, it’s not really that big a kitchen, but it does have fairly creative storage. Having said that, I still can’t find a place for the chicken set yet! The trombie grew to that size in a matter of weeks – they grow like weeds! :)
What a yummy and colourful roundup of goodies in your kitchen. Such a cute array of chickens! Murrumbidgee blue bell aka salvation jane or paterson’s curse, doesn’t sound as much like a weed does it? It is a lovely light honey. I think I need to make another visit to Chef’s Warehouse–just need to get up the ‘nerve’ to go to Sydney!
Ha! I’ve definitely had paterson’s curse honey before – and you’re right, Murrumbidgee blue bell made me think I was trying something new! :) Liz, you’d love the big board – it’s actually a pastry board – and it’s great for kneading on!
Any guard dogs about your kitchen Celia? Hmmm, would not mind coming for a recce: mainly for that ‘Simply Ming’ book – haven’t cooked from my very, very, very old ones for ages!! Oh, love those cutting boards too!
Eha, haven’t cooked anything from the Ming book yet, but the boards are getting a good workout already! :)
I have a board just like your first one- it was made as a pastry board and I use it for rolling out pie crusts and breads. I used to teach baking classes and used the board on top of tables or counters that were not made for cooking on top of! Such a nice group of gifts, Celia, you must have been a Very Good girl this year! :)
I put up a post 2 1/2 hours early!
Heidi, I’m using the big board as a pastry board as well – that’s definitely what it was supposed to be used as! It’s absolutely fabulous! Hope you’re having a great New Year darling! xx
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Oh, how lovely – all of these things make my heart sing and I love your new chopping board (although relate to sinks being too small!). I’m looking forward to doing another of these posts later this month :)
Kari, it’s a debacle every time I wash the board, but it IS very funny! And it’s so useful that it gets used almost daily! Look forward to seeing your post when you get around to it!
I just posted my IMK post for January :)
(http://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2013/01/in-my-kitchen-january-2013.html)
Hi Celia
Happy new year!
Fantastic all round. That is the biggest IMK I have ever seen! Now you have a Jarrah chopping board. Good on Uncle Steve. No wonder you love him. Give him a kiss from me!!
Here is the link to my post. http://passionfruitgarden.com/2013/01/01/in-my-kitchen-january-2013/
Glenda, isn’t it great? I kept saying to both Pete and Steve – I really do need a board, or I’m going to have to fly to Perth.. :) All the best to you and Maus for 2013 – hope it’s absolutely grand! xx
Hello Celia & happy new year to you. Look at all of those good things…love that big board, perfect for so many things. Great idea to put your giant zucchini into pumpkin soup, I might have to try that. The black salt in the bread looks spectacular, yum! How cool is the chocolate note pad? Oh that butter looks glorious. Enjoy your new cook books.
My post is linked, thanks once again for hosting my kitchen!
Jane, I found the trombies work very well in Thai curries too! Thanks again for the fabulous olives and garlic – we’ve been making very good use of them! Happy New Year!
Hehe I now know that when I put in an order for my blocks of gold, that you automatically get some bars! ;) Happy New Year to you and Pete and the boys! xxx
Thanks darling! And to you and Mr NQN!!
Ha funny I just realized it was January today ( bit silly as it is my birthday today). I cant believe Ming still looks so darn young. Lovely bowls Celia. I would love to have an Uncle Steve, so very useful!
Happy Belated Birthday, Tania! And Happy New Year too! As for Ming – you know we Asians never age.. ;-)
Wow, what an amazing collection this month! I love the lip on the cutting board. Wishing you a great 2013 :)
Tandy, all the best to you and Dave for a wonderful 2013! Hope your internet issues have all been resolved?
Happy New Year, my friend. Sending hugs and thoughts of delicious food your way. That serving board is so lovely.
Thank you my darling friend! You always brighten up my day! :) Happy New Year to you and your gorgeous family! xx
You have Payard!!! Wow…
Can’t wait to show it to you! xx
I love your chopping board Celia. It does seem a shame when they no longer look pristine but every mark tells a story of food prepared and shared – much like our dining table, it even has the marks of my Dad’s cross word puzzling: the timber carries the memory of the words he wrote. Happy New Year to you Celia, I hope it brings you many smiles.
Jan, it was so nice to see you and Peter! Happy New Year to you both! xx
Lovely stuff in your kitchen this month!!! I love the honey – it is so expensive in South Africa!!
I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy and blessed 2013!
Zirkie, we’re very lucky here – honey is readily available and very reasonably priced! Happy New Year to you and yours! x
You have lots of nice things in your kitchen this month! How do you find room for it all?! I find the honey very intriguing.
Our Christmas was filled with family, friends, fun, and lots of memories.
Wishing you and yours all the best in the New Year…….including all your blog friends and visitors!
Manuela, hope you’ve had a wonderful festive season with those wee boys of yours! All the best for a fabulous 2013! xx
I have done mine!! Link is http://www.pinkpolkadotfood.com/in-my-kitchen-in-january-2013/
Hooray! Thanks Zirkie! :)
Happy New Year! I was just thinking about you and your In My Kitchen posts, and here we are :) Happy Days !
Loving the trombocino, fun to grow, especially when people haven’t seen them before ;) and oodles of lovely gifts and goodies.
Looking forward to what 2013 brings us. Claire x
Happy New Year Claire! We are finally having a cucurbit glut – I never thought it would happen! :)
From the looks of your kitchen, you had a wonderful Christmas. I’ll be interested to know what you think of Ming’s cookbook. I have eaten at his restaurant in Massachusetts and was disappointed but maybe it was an off day. Have a wonderful New Year.
Karen, I’ve heard a couple of people say that about Blue Ginger – I wonder how much time Ming actually has to spend there these days? Happy New Year! :)
It’s hard to believe that tromboncino grew larger than your over-sized new board!! It would help if I knew what a tromboncino was.. I’m always learning when I come to visit your kitchen:D You have so many wonderful friends and excellent food gifts.. You’re one lucky gal!! Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family and friends for 2013, Celia!! xxx
Happy New Year Smidge!! The trombies are new to us this year, and they’ve been the star of the garden! :)
WOW! I loved them all. Thank you, Happy New Year Dear Celia, love, nia
Nia love, I hope you’re having a wonderful 2013! xx
Happy New Year Celia, may you and your family have the most wonderful year.
What a jam-packed IMK post – I would love it all in my kitchen. Sorry that I won’t partake in January’s IMK – I will back up and running with it in February.
:-) Mandy xo
Mandy, hope you and Pete are having a great New Year! Look forward to peeking in your kitchen in February! xx
So glad you love them Celia! I have a vague idea of using the chunky blend in a cake someday- when I get around to it :)
Lovely boards, I like a nice big one like that, and I absolutely love anything Jarrah too :)
It looks like you had a lovely Christmas sweetie, lots of goodies indeed!
Becca, the tea is absolutely delicious, thank you! The big one is great, but such a bugger to wash! It’s good for pastry too – obviously, since that’s what it was designed for.. :) Have a great 2013 darling! xx
Looks like you had a fabulous Christmas – loving all those cutting boards! I’ve been meaning to go to Chefs’ Warehouse for ages, must make time. Best wises for a wonderful new year :)
Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!
So many lovely things as usual Celia. The honey and bread look delicious and the lip on the board is such a good idea. I must confess that I chop straight onto my prep table and just wipe it down (and give it a squirt of anti-bac every now and then). Have a wonderful 2013 – I look forward to seeing more of your kitchen and fab garden.
My post is linked (better late than never). Anne
Anne, I always watch Jamie Oliver do that, and wonder how to keep it clean. In one of his shows he has a wooden benchtop – is that what yours is? Anyway, the big board was bought with a desire to emulate that! :)
Lovely kitchen Celia! It’s a good thing you got all that butter…more to fraisage with ;) Did you try the olives yet? They look delicious.
What a wonderful selection you have Celia! Is it bad that I’m most envious of the butter? Lorraine sure knows the way to a girl’s heart doesn’t she?
I would love to have a cupboard full of wooden serving boards so I could serve up Jamie Oliver-style. So pretty!
[…] to myself “after a robust first go in December surely there’s nothing left to share for Celia’s ‘In My Kitchen’ January linkup“. Boy was I […]
Your blog is such an inspiration, Celia! I have been meaning to join in with the In My Kitchen Series for a while but only just got round to it. Have just posted my first post to join in, with a link to you. Thank you so much for the idea! E x
E, thanks for joining in! The January list actually comes down today, as February’s post goes up tomorrow, but I’ll add it to the listing then! :)